Work Health & Safety Management Plan

2 Managing Risks to Health and Safety

P6 Projects will:

■        identify hazards – find out what could cause harm

■        assess risks if necessary – understand the nature of the harm that could be caused by the hazard, how serious the harm could be and the likelihood of it happening

■        control risks – implement the most effective control measure that is reasonably practicable in the circumstances, and

■        review control measures to ensure they are working as planned.

Figure 1: The risk management process

2.1 Hierarchy of Controls

P6 Projects will use the The hierarchy of  risk  control’  when implementing  any  risk control measures starting at level 1 and if not possible using a combination of the remaining control methods:

The ways of controlling risks are ranked from the highest level of protection and reliability to the lowest as shown in Figure 2. This ranking is known as the hierarchy of risk control. The WHS Regulations require duty holders to work through this hierarchy when managing risk under the WHS Regulations.

Figure 2: Code of Practice - How to  Manage Work Health & Safety Risks s4.1 The hierarchy of risk control

P6 Projects will always aim to eliminate a hazard, which is the most effective control.  If this is not reasonably practicable, we will minimise the risk by working through the other alternatives in the hierarchy.

Level 1 control measures

The most effective control measure involves eliminating the hazard and associated risk by firstly, not introducing the hazard into the workplace. For example, you can eliminate the risk of a fall from height by doing the work at ground level.

Eliminating hazards can be more cost effective and practical to achieve at the design or planning stage of a product, process or place used for work. In these early phases there is greater scope to ‘design out’ hazards or incorporate risk control measures that are compatible with the original design and functional requirements. For example, a noisy machine could be designed and built to produce as little noise as possible which is more effective than providing workers with personal hearing protectors.

Risks can also be eliminated by removing the hazard completely, for example, by removing trip hazards on the floor or disposing unwanted chemicals.

It may not be possible to eliminate a hazard if doing so means that you cannot make the end product or deliver the service. If you cannot eliminate the hazard, then eliminate as many of the risks associated with the hazard as possible.

 Level 2 control measures

 If it is not reasonably practicable to eliminate the hazards and associated risks, you should minimise the risks using one or more of the following approaches:

■        Substitute the hazard with something safer

For instance, replace solvent based paints with water based ones.

■        Isolate the hazard from people

This involves physically separating the source of harm from people by distance or using barriers. For instance, install guard rails around exposed edges and holes in floors, use remote control systems to operate machinery, store chemicals in a fume cabinet.

■        Use engineering controls

An engineering control is a control measure that is physical in nature, including a mechanical device or process. For instance, use mechanical devices such as trolleys or hoists to move heavy loads, place guards around moving parts of machinery, install residual current devices (electrical safety switches), set work rates on a production line to reduce fatigue.

Level 3 control measures

These control measures do not control the hazard at the source. They rely on human behaviour and supervision, and used on their own, tend to be least effective in minimising risks. Two approaches to reduce risk in this way are:

■        Use administrative controls

Administrative controls are work methods / procedures designed to minimise exposure to a hazard. For instance, develop procedures on how to operate machinery safely, limit exposure time to a hazardous task, use signs to warn people of a hazard.

■        Use personal protective equipment (PPE)

Examples of PPE include ear muffs, respirators, face masks, hard hats, gloves, aprons and protective eyewear. PPE limits exposure to the harmful effects of a hazard but only if workers wear and use the PPE correctly.

Administrative controls and PPE should only be used:

■        when there are no other practical control measures available (as a last resort)

■        as an interim measure until a more effective way of controlling the risk can be used, or

■        to supplement higher level control measures (as a back-up).

2.2           Review of Control Measures

P6 Projects will review and, as necessary  revise  control measures implemented  under the Work Health & Safety Regulation 2011 and relevant Codes of  Practice  so as to  maintain,  so  far  as  reasonably  practicable,  a  work environment that is  without risks to health and safety.

As part of the review process regular inspections will be conducted and recorded for reporting to all relevant persons

P6 Projects will review and as necessary revise a control measure if;

■        the control measure does not control the risk it was implemented to control so far as reasonably practicable when;

o   the results of monitoring indicate the measure does not control the risk

o   a notifiable incident occurs because of the risk

■        before a change at the workplace that is likely to give rise to a new or different risk to health and safety

■        a new relevant hazard is identified

■        through consultation that a review is necessary

■        the WHSR or workers requests a review

■        the work environment changes and the controls in place may no longer be applicable to the risk or hazard

2.3           Workplace Security

P6 Projects will ensure so far as reasonably practicable that the work area/s  is secured from unauthorised access. Where unauthorised access to the works area/s cannot be prevented hazards within the workplace will, so far as reasonably practicable, are isolated.