20 Aug Working with Hazard Register Templates
The following is an explanation of the Hasmate hazard/risk register. Compare each step with this reference point.
Step 1
Action: for future identification and management of your hazard registers, identify and accurately complete all parts of this section.
Step 2
Action: attach any pre- and post-hazard photos to show any improvements.
Step 3
Action: list the actual or potential hazards, harm, or notifiable event, injury, or illness that could result from the hazard. These are the actual or potential physical or health hazards and/or risks that you identify during your work. They may be inherent risks that are risks that have always been associated with the work functions, or new hazards or risks that have occurred due to a change in the work, associated machinery, or location.
Step 4
Action: causal factors (what can cause the harm or any health-related safety issues to happen?) This is where you involve the employees who are working with the potential or real hazard/risk, as they will know the associated inherent risks from their experience. If you can list the causal factors, then you will then get an idea of how to control it.
E.g. no training? = plan for and carry out training. No maintenance? = implement a planned maintenance programme.
Step 5
Action: risk rating (initial or inherent risks). This is where you carry out your initial, first or pre-rating of the hazard to indicate the criticality level of the hazard or risk. This is completed using the hazard/risk scoring calculator (likelihood x consequences) assessment to determine the risk level.
It is recommended that if the risk indication is low, and you know from your experience that there is a chance of an event occurring, to overstate the risk level, and then to reassess it later. Record the risk level in the column provided.
Step 6
Action: control methods. Can the hazard or risk be eliminated? This is your first priority for effective hazard/risk management. If it can’t be eliminated, state the reason why. Tick off the next method of control.
Note: if the hazard or risk falls under the definition of a “notifiable event”, then it is important that you assess and determine the best controls possible and act on those controls as soon as possible.
Step 7
Action: recommended practicable controls. In this section, you document the most appropriate practicable controls based on your experience, in conjunction with what is recommended in standards, codes of practice, industry standards, and other credible information. These controls can also be set up in a progressive structure to reflect a safe operating procedure for the safe application of the management of the hazard/risk.
Step 8
Action: health monitoring and training. Complete these questions and act on all the identified areas for action in a master safety management plan.
Step 9
Action: post risk assessment rating (residual) and monitoring. This is the re-assessment of the hazard/risk after a given time (3/6/12 months) to determine if the controls that have been put in place have been effective. This reassessment can also be triggered by a change in work method or practice, a change in machinery or equipment, or an incident or accident resulting in an injury, or an impact on the business.
Step 10
Action: list the related references (used for the control of the hazard/risk). It is important that these references are stated, as they are the recognised and approved body of knowledge.
Some examples:
- The 2015 H&S at Work Act
- 2016 H&S at Work Regulations,
- 2017 Hazardous Substance Regulations
- Accepted Codes of Practice (ACOPS)
- WorkSafe NZ fact sheets and guidelines
- ACC guidelines
- International AS /NZS Standards
- Industry Best Practice
- Manufacturer’s manuals
- Company policies, standards, best practice
If you would like to purchase hazard register templates, please contact Hasmate to discuss.