Advance notice: CSA to launch hazard identification standard
December 21, 2011
Advance notice: CSA to launch hazard identification standard
In early spring, CSA is expected to launch a new standard that will help users apply a systematic approach to identifying hazards, assessing the risk they pose, and eliminating or controlling them.
“These three steps are the underpinnings of an effective occupational health and safety management system,” says Freddie Ovanessian, a senior consulting solution designer with Workplace Safety & Prevention Services and a member of the CSA technical committee responsible for the standard. “Strong underpinnings will help you build a management system that can respond to hazards promptly and effectively. Conversely, if your underpinnings are shaky, the whole system is at risk of collapse. This means exposing workers to the risk of injury and your operations to the risk of failure.”
The standard is based on the following principles:
• Hazard and risk are not synonymous
• Where hazards exist risk exists
• Risk is a function of the severity of harm and the likelihood of the occurrence of that harm
• Where hazards are eliminated risk is eliminated
• Where hazards exist risk controls are required
What the standard offers
CSA Z1002, Occupational health and safety – Hazards and risks – Identification, assessment, elimination and control, describes methods that workplaces can use to identify hazards, eliminate them, and analyze the risk associated with hazards that cannot be eliminated. The standard lists a variety of factors to consider when analyzing hazards, such as scientific data, incident history, systematic team approaches, and consultation with workers, worker representatives, and other stakeholders. The standard also provides guidance on the application of risk control measures, monitoring of residual risk, and continual improvement to reduce the risk as better control measures become available.
“Because the standard is general in nature, it’s applicable to organizations of any size or type,” says Ovanessian. “Also, it can be applied at all stages in the life cycle of the product, process or service.”
Who it’s for
This standard is intended for all workplace stakeholders, such as those who are responsible for:
• Evaluating an organization’s risk assessment practices
• Ensuring that an organization eliminates hazards and controls risk associated with remaining hazards that can’t be eliminated
• Organizational efforts to eliminate hazards and control risk within a specific area or activity
• Developing standards, guides, procedures, and codes of practice that set out how hazards are to be eliminated and risks controlled
Why it’s needed
Employers and supervisors have obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act to inform workers of hazards, so that the workers can perform their duties safely. Employers and supervisors can’t meet these obligations without conducting hazard and risk assessments, and eliminating or controlling the risks. Documenting the process can also help workplace parties demonstrate due diligence if an incident arises despite the precautions taken.
“The goal of the standard,” explains Ovanessian, “is to enable an organization to use hazard identification and risk assessment processes to prevent injuries, illnesses, and fatalities, and/or reduce the severity of harm related to work activities and environments through hazard elimination and risk controls. While implementing risk control strategies is critical, improving injury prevention strategies is equally important. This can be achieved by proactively identifying hazards, eliminating them and, where practicable, applying appropriate risk assessment techniques.”
How we can help
WSN offers several training programs related to hazard and risk assessment:
· Think SAFE: Field Level Risk Assessment
· Think SAFE: Operational Level Risk Assessment
· Planned Inspection and Observation
· Risk Assessment – Pulp and Paper Industry
· Lockout: Control of Energy Hazards in Forestry Mills
WSN’s hazard assessment related products include:
· 5‐Point Safety System Package
· Guideline for the Structure and Function of JHSCs
· Hazardous Energy Identification Package
· Hazardous Energy Identification Package for Diamond Drillers
· Multi‐Piece Rims: Controlling the Hazards Safety Meeting CD
· Safe Methods for Machine Guarding
· Workplace Environment Checklist
· Zero Energy State Safety Meeting Topic
Details of these training courses and products can be found in WSN’s Products and Services Catalogue: