1️⃣ Identify Hazards
Spot anything in the workplace that can cause harm.
Common hazard types include physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, psychosocial, and environmental risks.
How to identify hazards:
* Walk the site
* Review incident and near‑miss records
* Speak with workers and supervisors
* Check manuals and SDS
* Observe work processes
2️⃣ Assess the Risks
Evaluate each hazard by looking at:
* How likely it is to cause harm
* How severe the harm could be
* Use a risk matrix (e.g., 5×5) to rate risks as Low, Medium, or High.
Consider:
* Who may be affected
* Frequency and duration of exposure
* Existing controls
* Worst‑case vs. most likely outcome
3️⃣ Control the Risks
Apply the Hierarchy of Controls to reduce risks effectively:
1. Eliminate the hazard
2. Substitute with a safer option
3. Engineering controls to isolate the hazard
4. Administrative controls such as procedures and training
5. PPE as the last line of defence
Controls should be practical, effective, clearly communicated, and assigned with responsibilities.
