AAOM Handbook

PL.07 Specify Hazard Controls & Permit Requirements Context Execution of a Task may involve exposure to, or creation of, potential hazards and risks to the environment, employees and communities. To manage these potential hazards or risks we must build defences that will protect against harm, put these defences into action, continually review their integrity and upgrade their effectiveness. Doing this effectively requires:  Identification of hazards in and around the work area.  Identifying and assessing the associated risks.  Developing controls to guard against the risks.  Ensuring that the controls are in workplace standards, work procedures and work packages.  Ensuring that people are mindful about the risks around them.  Monitoring to ensure that the controls are implemented and remain effective.  Reviewing the integrity of the system over time. In many cases the potential hazards can and have been anticipated ahead of time and standard controls and permits have been created, e.g. isolation and tagging of energy sources, work within a confined space or at heights. Regardless of prior experience, it may not be possible to identify all potential hazards, risks and controls until a physical assessment of the work area has been made for unusual or unexpected conditions. The preparation of a quality Task should include the identification of all obvious hazards and risks that may be associated with the work, plus specification of the appropriate control actions. Wherever practical, controls should be implemented as layers of defence, i.e. where multiple controls are in place, e.g. work permits, physical barriers, isolation and personal protective equipment. The Task should also include guidelines for the identification and control of hazards and risks that may only be obvious at the work area (e.g. using a Job Safety Analysis process). Purpose To control all potential hazards and risks associated with a Task. Quantity For each known or obvious potential hazard to employees, communities and the environment:  Determine the potential events that may occur (e.g. electrocution, drowning, falling etc).  Identify the potential hazards and risks that may cause or be associated with the particular event.

© McAlear Management Consultants 2004

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