Workplace hazards identification

A workplace hazard identification and risk assessment should be carried out before any modification or introduction of new work methods, materials, processes or machinery. Such assessment should be done in consultation with and involving workers and their representatives, and the safety and health committee, where appropriate. 

Hazard identification Hazard Worksite analysis Hazard assessment Workplace Hazard identification... 

A program is necessary for identifying all materials in the workplace, and making employees aware of the hazards of these materials and the necessary precautions to be taken to prevent or control personnel exposure. Materials Hazard Identification and information gathering is an essential element of fire prevention. The hazardous properties of all chemical substances used in the workplace should be known in order to develop the appropriate design, routine handling practices, and fire prevention plan. 

Although use of isolators or other effective engineering controls is the preferred method of handling highly potent compounds in solid form, this is not the only possible approach. We have found that use of traditional laboratory controls and a combination of high level of PPE in conjunction with rigorous administrative controls can provide adequate protection. Before considering the use of any of these solutions in a workplace, make sure workers are fully informed about hazard identification, risk assessment and control options. 

As part of a site s overall ISMS, hazard analyses are conducted at the site, facility, activity, and task levels utilizing a variety of resources. The need for an integrated approach is illustrated by reviewing DOE directives, and OSHA and EPA standards and regulations, many of which call for some type of hazard analysis. At the nuclear facility level, DOE-STD-3009-94, the preparation guide for SARs, requires hazard analysis in Chapter 3, Hazard and Accident Analyses, and Chapter 8, Section 11, Occupational Chemical Exposures. At the activity or worker level, DOE O 440.1A and its related guides (DOE G 440.1-1 and DOE G 440.1-3) requires the identification of workplace hazards and evaluation of risk, and calls out OSHA standards (i.e., 29 CFR 1910 and 29 CFR 1926). 

DOE 0 440.1 Worker Protection Management for DOE Federal and Contractor Employees Requires the identification, evaluation, and control of all workplace hazards. Worker protection programs (including analysis of worker hazards, as needed) to implement applicable requirements. 

One of the new creative ideas to promote employee involvement and the expression of their ideas is the targeted hazard identification system. This system provides an easy and cost-efficient method through which employees are trained to identify safety hazards in their workplace and provides a mechanism through which the hazard can be corrected. Additionally, this system provides a simple method by which employees can express their ideas and acquire feedback within a 24-hour time period (see Appendix C for program details). Important components of this program are the anployee involvement and the acquisition of their opinions to generate corrective action. 

The Targeted Hazard Identification System (THIS) is specifically designed to enhance employees ability to recognize and target safety and health hazards in the workplace, which in turn enhances the company s proactive approach to the prevention of costly occupational injuries and illnesses. The THIS also provides an easy and cost-effective way for employees to communicate their observations of safety and health hazards in the workplace to other employees and management. 

An effective program includes procedures for the systematic identification, evaluation, and prevention or control of general workplace hazards, specific job hazards, and potential hazards which may arise from foreseeable conditions. 

Identification labels applied to containers of hazardous materials to readily inform employees of their workplace hazards as required under Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation 29 CFR 1910.1200. They use an easy to understand identification hazard rating. See also Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS" ). 

Identification of hazards includes those items that can assist you in identifying workplace hazards and determining what corrective action is necessary to control them. Actions include worksite safety inspections, accident investigations, meetings of safety and health committees, and project safety meetings. To accomplish the identification of hazards, the following should be reviewed ... 

Hazard analysis is a technique used to examine the workplace for hazards with the potential to cause accidents. Hazard identification, as envisioned in this section, is a worker-oriented process. The workers are trained in hazard identification and asked to recognize and report hazards for evaluation and assessment. Management is not as close to the actual work being performed as are those performing the work. Even supervisors can use extra pairs of eyes looking for areas of concern. 

Employers must identify the workplace hazards before they can determine how to protect their employees. In performing worksite hazard identification, employers must consider not only hazards that currently exist in the workplace, but also those hazards that could occur because of changes in operations or procedures, or because of other factors such as concurrent work activities. For this element, employers should... 

Medical Programs An effective safety and health program will include a suitable medical program where it is appropriate for the size and nature of the workplace and its hazards. Healthcare providers are on-site for all production shifts and are involved in hazard identification and training. Healthcare providers periodically observe the work areas and activities and are fully involved in hazard identification and training. 

The recognition of hazards is of primary importance. After workers and supervisors have been trained regarding hazard identification, their understanding of Occupational Safety and Health regulations will help identify jobs, equipment and machinery, areas, and industry processes that have exhibited hazards in the past. It will be your responsibility to identify the potential for hazards, or the existence of hazards within your workplace. Some tools used for identification have been presented in the form of hazard hunts, job hazard analysis, and job safety observations, while other techniques provide the means to prevent and control existing hazards. 

The core of an effective safety and health program is hazard identification and control. Periodic inspections and procedures for correction and control provide methods of identifying existing or potential hazards in the workplace, and eliminating or controlling than. The hazard control system provides a basis for developing safe work procedures, and injury and illness prevention training. If hazards occur or recur, this reflects a breakdown in the hazard control system. 

This written safety and health program establishes procedures and responsibilities for the identification and correction of workplace hazards. The following activities will be used by this company to identify and control woikplace hazards ... 

How are licensed occupational health professionals used in the site s hazard identification and analysis, early recognition and treatment of illness and injury, and the system for limiting the severity of harm that might result from workplace illness or injury ... 

Machine safety checklists can be used to identify potential and actual hazards in the workplace. Checklists provide a baseline for hazard identification and action planning that m be required to correct a hazard. 

OSHA encourages employers to implement and maintain a program that provides systematic policies, procedures, and practices that are adequate to protect employees from safety hazards. In other words, an effective system identifies provisions for the systematic identification, evaluation, and prevention or control of workplace hazards, specific job hazards, and potential hazards that may arise from foreseeable conditions. Compliance with OSHA standards is an important objective. However, if you develop a successful management system, this becomes a non-issue. 

It is importarrt that unsafe conditions are not confused with hazards, during hazard identification. Unsafe conditions should be rectified as soon as possible after observation. Examples of unsafe conditions include missing machine guards, faulty warning systems and oil spillage on the workplace floor. 

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. 

Presently, quantitative health hazard and exposure data are not available for most nanomaterials. Therefore, health risk evaluation for the workplace currently relies to a great degree on professional judgments for hazard identification, potential exposures and the application of appropriate safety measures. 

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