Introduction to hazard identification & risk assessment

This Appendix comprises an aide-memoir of hazard sources and hazards, with sample risk controls of a variety of examples. This is illustrative and not exhaustive, therefore should be used only as a guide. Several generic risk assessments are also provided which are designed to cover many 'typical' situations and activities.

Download a copy of the Hazard/risk assessment form

Definitions :

Fieldwork - means ‘any practical work carried out by staff or students of a University for the purpose of teaching and/or research in places which are not under University control, but where the University is responsible for the health and safety of its staff and/or students and others exposed to their activities.

Hazard Sources - All of the people, organisms, things, activities, places and ways of working that are expected to be encountered MAY be sources of hazards.

It follows, therefore, that unless you know exactly what you are managing, you will not know all of the possible sources of hazards. They are often broken down into:

• Inputs - Includes physical resources such as components and raw materials, reagents, human resources such as employees and contractors, and the information required to carry out the work required.
• Processes - Vary widely depending on the nature of the work but they all involve the transforming of inputs into products or services.
• Outputs - What the work is intended to produce. By-products such as waste materials are also included in this category - from used inputs and unwanted products.

Hazards - Any Thing, living Organism or way of working with the potential to cause harm.

• Thing: Equipment, machinery, electricity, fuel gas, fire, noise, tools, chemicals. Likelihood of harm increases with deterioration of these.
• Living organism: Wild and domestic animals, people, insects, bacteria, viruses, parasites. Likelihood of harm increases with extent of exposure, lack of prophylaxis/treatment.
• Way of working: At a height, in confined spaces, lifting/handling, alone, trained/untrained. Likelihood of harm increases with time exposed, lack of training.

Harm - Injury or damage to health, and damage or loss to property or equipment

Risk - The likelihood of a hazard causing harm

Risk Assessment - Likelihood of occurrence combined with severity of effect.

Risk Control Measure- Action taken to reduce risk to acceptable level.