Risk control measures

The next stage in the risk assessment is the control of the risk. In established workplaces, some control of risk will already be in place. The effectiveness of these controls needs to be assessed so that an estimate of the residual risk may be made. Many hazards have had specific acts, regulations or other recognized standards developed to reduce associated risks. Examples of such hazards are fire, electricity, lead and asbestos. The relevant legislation and any accompanying approved codes of practice or guidance should be consulted first and any recommendations implemented. Advice on control measures may also be available from trade associations, trade unions or employers organizations. 

Where there are existing preventative measures in place, it is important to check that they are working properly and that everybody affected has a clear understanding of the measures. It may be necessary to strengthen existing procedures, for example, by the introduction of a permit to work system. More details on the principles of control are contained in Chapter 6. 

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Regulatory officials nevertheless act on the basis of such hypothetical risks ( hypothetical definitely does not mean imaginary it means that the risk estimates are based on certain scientific hypotheses and that they have not been empirically tested). Such actions are in part based on legal requirements (Chapter 11) and in part on the prudence that is a traditional feature of public health policies. The scientific information, assumptions, and extrapolation models upon which risk assessments are based are considered sufficiently revealing on the question of human risk to prompt risk-control measures. To put off such actions until it is seen whether the hypothesized risks are real - to wait for a human body count - is considered to be an unacceptable course. 

Full details are given in the HSE information leaflets obtainable as given below see also RSC (1996). Before the commencement of any work that involves or creates substances that may be hazardous to health, the risks, control measures and disposal procedures to be adopted should be assessed and recorded on appropriate forms. These should be signed by the assessor, and where appropriate by the student, and then countersigned by the Head of Department. One copy should be kept for local reference in the laboratory, with the original filed centrally for inspection by external inspectors. Only after this, should any new chemicals be ordered by a designated person (or deputy) who should check that the COSHH form has been duly completed. COSHH guidelines may be summarized in seven points ... 

Risk control starts with risk reduction, which includes any actions taken to eliminate or reduce the risk. Actions taken should be commensurate with the significance of the risk. If the risk has been reduced to an acceptable level, an affirmative decision can be made to accept the risk (risk acceptance). One question to ask is if new risks have been introduced as a result of the identified risks being controlled. Risk control measures should generally be conducted in accordance with change control procedures and documented. 

Regulatory chemical risk control measures can be broadly separated into four categories command and control, economic, incentive-based, and voluntary initiatives [29]. Brief explanations and examples of these various control instruments are shown in Table 1.2 and are discussed in detail in the Literature Review (Section 2.3). 

Suitable risk control measures must be develqred and used. The hierarchy of control measures, from most to least preferred is ... 

In case the SDS contains an ES for the use of a product, to introduce the prescribed risk-control measures in the internal organisation. 

The amount or degree of potential hazard perceived by a given set of parameters and operating conditions. Risk assessment provides a means to identify and rank risks and to obtain information on their extent and nature. By performing a risk assessment suitable risk control measures can be identified and assessed for adequacy. In... 

It is addressed by adequate risk-control measures such as personal protective equipment of the workers. 

Risk analysis and risk evaluation are part of a broader process of decision making and implementing risk control measures for managing risks. A model for this process that has been used successfully by companies and government in Canada is shown in Fig. 10.5. Other models are also available (e.g., CAN/CSA, 1997). 

At the risk evaluation step, if the risks are found to be unacceptable, then further risk control measures win he necessary. These include measures for preventing incidents and impacts (such as implementing process safety and loss management systems for minimizing chances and consequences of hazardous material releases), and measures for responding to incidents should they occur. Cost/henefit considerations will also play a role in selecting the risk control measures for implementation. Each additional risk control measure changes the risk level, and the process of improvement continues until the risks become acceptable to the stakeholders. The involvement of the stakeholders in each step in the process is indicated in Fig. 10.5 by double-headed arrows. 

Once the risks are deemed to he OK, then the activity is carried out. The risks are continuously monitored through safety, environmental, insurance, and financial audits to ensure that the activity is carried out as intended. If risks are found to increase to an unacceptable level, this can he recognized through the audit process and corrected through additional risk control measures, if necessary. 

Risk can be reduced by decreasing the likelihood and/or consequences of hazardous events through implementation of risk management systems and controls (see box in Fig 10.5). Risk control measures can be broadly classified info ... 

Certain costs are associated with risk control measures. By estimating the risk reduction possible for each option, the costs and benefits for each option can be assessed and informed decisions can be made on which option should be selected. A good understanding of the factors contributing to risk (and of the frequency and consequences of potential hazardous events) through risk analysis is essential for this purpose. 

Screening level risk analysis (SLRA) is a systematic screening process to identify hazards and prioritize risks for developing risk control measures. 

Each hazardous event, once categorized, can then be represented on a risk matrix shown in Fig. 10.6, and prioritized with respect to the urgency of risk control measures that should be implemented to reduce the risk from that particular type of event. A commonly used set of definitions for each risk category on this matrix is given in Table 10.3. 

OHS issues will certainty arise from time to time in ary workplace, and can be hartdled through the consultative process which Robens-style OHS law sets up - employers talking with health and safety representatives, or in health and safety committees, hr srrtall workplaces, or those without representatives, the employer can discuss matters one-on-one with employees. Issues onty become disputes if there is a difference between an employee s request, demand or point of view and that of the employer. The dispnte may be for a mtmber of reasons - one, of coitrse, is inabihty to pay for risk control measures. Another may be that the employer is dependent on others to implement solutions. For example, a contractor at a mine site may operate machinery belonging to the principal which needs new capital investment for safe operation rather than just maintenance. An accident make employees aware of a risk they weren t aware of before. 

The concept of ALARP must of course be applied with due regard to the Annex ZA of EN ISO 14971 2012, which excludes the possibility of not implementing risk control measures on the basis of economic considerations (risk reduction of As Far As possible) in compliance with the requirements of Directive 93/42 / EEC. 

The MANUFACTURER shall assign to each SOFTWARE SYSTEM that contributes to the implementation of a RISK CONTROL measure a software safety class based on the possible effects of the HAZARD that the RISK CONTROL measure is controlling.. .. 

Unfortunately, it is practically impossible to predict all possible courses of action a user is capable of taking. We will always face unforeseen risk situations and risk prone features. Thus, it is necessary to constantly keep an eye open for these situations and when new risks are detected, update and improve risk control measures and related test cases at once. 

The prioritization of the implementation of risk control measures will depend on the risk rating (high, medium... 

The control of risks is essential to secure and maintain a healthy and safe construction site or workplace which complies with the relevant legal requirements. Hazard identification and risk assessment are covered in Chapter 5 and these together with appropriate risk control measures form the core of HSG 65 implementing and planning section of the management model. Chapter 1 covers this in more detail. 

Periodically the risk control measures should be reviewed. Monitoring and other reports are crucial for the review to be useful. Reviews often take place at safety committee and/or at management meetings. A serious accident or Incident should lead to an Immediate review of the risk control measures In place. 

Regulation of registered substances only required reporting and did not support the use of risk control measures or supervision of implementation of any restrictions. 

An expert panel at MF.P reviews the report and comments on suitable risk control measures. The expert panel also classifies new chemical substances as general new chemical substances or hazardous new chemical substances. The criteria for these classifications are not readily apparent, although hazardous substances reportedly include PBT substances [143]. Once a new substance is registered, the amended Provisions require that local environmental protection authorities supervise and inspect the manufacture, processing, and use of the chemical substances and report any problems to a higher authority [143,146). 

New chemical substances must be registered under the Provisions on Environmental Administration of New Chemical Substances. As initially promulgated in 2003, the Provisions required the submittal of data but not risk assessment. For newly registered substances, the regulation only required reporting and did not support the use of risk control measures or enforce any restrictions. As amended in 2010, the Provisions require an extensive data submittal and risk... 

The form should require only those data which it is reasonable to expect people to be competent to provide. Many forms include spaces for such things as root cause of accident and suggestions for risk control measures and expect them to be filled in by people without the competences to provide accurate data. In the worst cases, these data are then analysed as though they had the same validity as the data it is reasonable to expect will be accurate, such as time of incident and part of body injured. There are two solutions to this, either omit from the form items requiring judgement, or provide the necessary competences. 

In this section a more detailed look is taken at how accident and incident data can be used to learn from what has gone wrong in the past so that risk control measures can be implemented or improved. There are three main aspects ... 

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