Risk Assessment

​This page provides guidelines for all University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s (UWSP) department managers, lab managers, supervisors, faculty, staff, and student employees of the University. The goal is to outline the practical steps of risk assessment for all work environments, to provide employees a standard for personal and corporate protection of self, others and general reduction of risk in the campus’ multi-faceted work environment.

This is best practice in any workplace, industry, and government organization and required in Wisconsin higher education by University policy and the State of Wisconsin code.

Ref. Section 4.4.1 of the UWSP EHS Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Policy; State of Wisconsin Department of Safety & Professional Services, Chapter SPS 332, via 332.15 OSHA 1910.132 -191.138.

Step 1: Risk Assessment - Know the Steps
A risk assessment contains the following three steps:
 

1.      Risk (Hazard) Identification;

2.      Risk Analysis – consists of determining general probabilities (likelihoods) for identified risk events, taking into account the presence (or not) and the effectiveness of any existing controls, and;

3.      Risk Evaluation – which uses the understanding of risk obtained during Risk Analysis to make decisions about future actions[1] [2]

Risk assessment is an ongoing process and so it should be undertaken at various times, including:

• If a risk assessment has not been conducted before

• When a new hazard has been identified

• When any changes occur in the workplace such as equipment, practices, procedures or environment

• After workplace accidents, incidents, and near misses

• When new information about a risk becomes available or concerns about a risk are raised by workers [3]

And

• At regularly scheduled times appropriate to the workplace (UWSP recommends upon initial employment and annually thereafter)

 
[1] ISO 73/31000/31010
[2] ANSI Z 690 Series
[3] University of Western Sydney, Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control Procedure, October 2012

Step 2: Recognizing Hazards
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Definition of a Hazard

Definition: “A hazard is simply a condition or a set of circumstances that present a potential for harm.”

Hazards are divided into two categories:

• Health hazards (potential for occupational illnesses)

• Safety Hazards (potential for physical harm - injuries)[1]

Hazard Identification

This is the process of inspecting each work area as well as work task for all hazards inherent to the job. Tasks can include (but may not be limited to):

  • Using desk-screen (computer) based equipment
  • Audio and visual equipment
  • Industrial equipment 
  • Handling hazardous or biologically dangerous substances
  • Teaching/coaching adults, children or the public
  • Driving a vehicle on and off-campus property
  • Responding to emergency situations
  • Working construction or trades work
  • Designing and using applied art methods
  • Working in a lab

The hazard identification process is fundamentally about finding out what action or items could cause harm to self or others in a task, process, or work area.[2]

 

Hazards may be identified by:

• Walking through the steps of a job procedure

• Recognizing a work process or equipment that could cause physical harm or occupational illnesses

• Considering hazard types and hazard sources in and around the workspace

Hazard Sources

·         People – lack of training, coaching, communication, education, hygiene practices.

·         Equipment – lack of protective equipment, repair and maintenance.

·         Materials – improper use, repair and maintenance, storage.

·         Environment – improper noise level, air quality, lighting, physical layout, housekeeping.

·         Process – improper work design, flow, reporting requirements, policies, and procedure.

Hazard Types

·         Chemical – gases, vapors, liquids, solids, plasma, dust, fume, or mist

·         Biological – living organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, mold, parasites, and fungi

·         Physical – noise, vibration, electricity, heat and cold, pressure, and radiation

·         Ergonomic – poorly designed equipment or work process which place excessive strain on the body by repetitive or exhausting activity

·         Psychosocial – risks of crime and violence and harassment in the workplace; work pressures which can influence the pace of labor

·         Safety (Non) – housekeeping neglect, fall locations, pinch points, sharp points, sharp edges, moving machinery, dropping items, pressure systems, fires, and explosions[3]

Also, the following are recommended to identify hazards:

(i)                 Examining past accidents or incidents

(ii)               Consulting employees to find out their concerns about safety issues, i.e. ask the student worker, part-time worker, or full-time worker about hazards or near misses they have experienced as part of their work. The Job Hazard Analysis Checklist [JHA Form] can assist workers to provide more information about their workplace hazard.

(iii)             Reviewing equipment instructions and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to determine relevant safety precautions, and

(iv)             Creative thinking about ‘what could go wrong, i.e. what hazardous event could take place here?

At UWSP, any hazard which is identified by this process should be recorded on the UWSP Job Hazard Analysis Checklist and Risk Identification and Treatment Worksheet and further action is taken to assess and control the risks from the hazard.[4] Also see, OSHA – Common Hazards and Descriptions for more details.

 

[1] OSHA Hazard Communication – Trainer, Module 3
[2] University of Western Sydney, Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control Procedure, October 2012
[3] Public Services Health and Safety Association, Fast Facts: Risk Assessment and Job Hazard Analysis, 2011
[4] University of Western Sydney, Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control Procedure, October 2012

Step 3: Assessing a Risk
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Definition of a Risk

Risk is an estimate of the combination of the likelihood of an occurrence or a hazardous event or exposure, and the severity of injury or illness that may be caused by the event or exposures.

Assessing a Risk

Once a hazard has been identified, the likelihood and possible severity of injury or harm will need to be assessed before determining how best to minimize the risk. High-risk hazards will need to be addressed more urgently than low-risk situations. Also, be aware that the same hazard may lead to several different possible outcomes. For each hazard consider how likely each possible outcome is, and record the highest priority.

Definition: Probability: Likelihood, frequency, exposure

Look for the probability of loss – which may come in the forms of:

  • Injury
  • Incident
  • Illness
  • Property damage
  • Loss of production
  • Loss of funding

Consequences (Severity): Ask yourself “what’s the worst thing that can happen?” When determining consequences, assume controls are not in place for the initial assessment.

 

Risk Assessment Matrix

UWSP Risk Assessment Matrix is a tool to assist in determining the level of risk associated with each activity in your workplace and form a Risk Identification and Treatment Worksheet for your work area.

 
 Table 1: Risk Assessment Matrix

 

 

Table 2: UWSP Risk Definitions

Control Measures:

Decide what actions or procedures are essential to eliminate or reduce the hazards identified that could cause to an incident, injury or occupational illness.

Options include:

At the Source: elimination, substitution, redesign, isolation, automation

Along the Path: relocation, barriers, absorption, dilution

At the Worker: administrative controls, orientation, training and supervision, work procedures, emergency planning, housekeeping, hygiene practices, personal protective equipment

Consider the following control measures, listed in order of importance:

a) Remove the hazard at the source - e.g. get rid of it or replace it.

b) Substitute it with something less hazardous.

c) Isolate the hazardous process, item or substance from people.

d) Add engineering controls, such as safety barriers or exhaust ventilation.

e) Adopt safe work procedures, training and supervision to minimize the risk.

f) Where other means are not sufficient or practicable, provide personal protective equipment.

g) Implement and monitor the controls you decide upon.

Before the hazard causes an injury, one or more of the controls recommended above should be agreed on and the changes should be made as soon as possible.

Monitoring:

The new safety measures may need to be carefully tested before work begins again to make sure risk has been reduced, and a further hazard has been eliminated.

Safety improvements should be reviewed periodically, to make sure effective continuing.


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