Tool Box Talk: Hazard Recognition and Risk Analysis

“Hazard Recognition and Risk Analysis”

“What are we doing, that we have always done, and that is no longer an acceptable risk?”

• Hazard Recognition – Recognizing a condition or behavior that can cause harm.
• Risk Analysis – Analyzing the probability and severity of risk in order to reduce the chance that harm will occur.

Injuries: A Matter of Probabilities:
30,000 HAZARDS Unsafe Acts Unsafe Conditions Wheel chocks not in place at rear wheels of trailer
3,000 NEAR-MISSES OR FIRST AID Lift truck is driven into truck trailer and trailer moves
300 INJURIES REQUIRING MEDICAL ATTENTION Driver jumps to the ground and sprains his ankle
30 LOST-TIME INJURIES Driver jumps to the ground and breaks his leg.
1 FATALITY Truck Trailer Moves, driver jumps to the ground and lift truck rolls over him.

Personal Risk Tolerance
How do we decide what is risky?
Let’s look at examples of activities and rate the risk level of each activity.
Do you have a high or low risk perception for?

• Driving without a seatbelt
• Working at heights without fall protection
• Driving 20 mph above the speed limit
• Smoking
• Disagreeing with your spouse

Factors That Influence Our Decisions

• Personal Factors Situational Factors
• Experience (Positive/negative) Stress
• Knowledge/Skill Rushing
• Age Control
• Physical Ability
• Organizational Factors
• Safety System
• Leadership Behaviors
• Peer Behaviors

Personal Factors
What personal beliefs would motivate someone do this?

OUR Actions Are Driven By Organizational Beliefs

• Safety Systems
• Are systems in place to encourage people to do the job with minimal risk? Yes /No!
• Leadership Behaviors
• Are at-risk, time-saving actions accepted? Yes/ No!
• Peer Behaviors
• Do our co-workers encourage at risk behavior? Yes/No !
• Organizational Factors
• What is in the safety system that would allow this? Our safety system would not allow this! True/False

The Social Environment and Cultural Resistance to Change

“PPE IS UNCOMFORTABLE”

Resistance to Change
Risk Perception

• We perceive risk differently
• Many factors influence our decision
• By understanding our risk tolerance and personal / organizational factors, we can prevent injuries

Use the risk assessment matrix instead of relying on one person’s assessment of what is “risky”

• Probability
• Unlikely – not likely to occur
• Likely – may occur
• Very likely –near certain to occur
• Severity
• Marginal – Minor Injury or First Aid
• Critical – Injury or Lost Time Injury
• Catastrophic – Death or Permanent Disability

Identifying Hazards
Identify the hazards before you start a job. Ask the questions, what is involved in this task that can hurt me or my co-workers, how can I/we protect myself/ourselves during this task?
Developing a Safe Solution or Plan:

• Can I eliminate the hazard?
• Can I minimize the risks?
• Do I need help?
• Is there a better time to do the work?
• Do others need to be informed?
• What specific PPE and tools are required?
• What lock out or permit is needed?
• Is there a JSA or reliable method/procedure I need to review?

“When purpose ignites passion, you begin to experience your potential.” –Eric Allenbaugh

Thanks for the share, TO!