RISK ASSESSMENT

for the Office

SCOPE

The Workplace Safety & Health Act (WSHA)

& the Risk Management Requirements

The Risk Management Process

Performing Risk Assessment

BIRTH OF WSHA & RM REGULATIONS

General Provision Reg. First Aid Reg. Incident Reporting Reg.

WSHA
Factories Act Mar 2006

Composition of Fines Reg. Transitional Provision Reg. Exemption Order

Risk Management Regulations

Mar 2006

Sep 2006

3 KEY PRINCIPLES OF WSHA

Reduce Risk at Source 1. Emphasize the importance of good OSH Management System especially the need for comprehensive risk assessments. Duties to address risks placed on those who create them. Assign liability to those who are in control of workplace risks.

Greater Industry Ownership of WSH 2. Shift industry mindset from following the letter of the law to taking responsibility of standards and outcomes.

Higher Penalties for Poor Safety Management 3. Penalties must be sufficient to reflect the cost of poor safety management and to deter risk-taking behaviour.

DUTIES AND LIABILITIES

A person may at anyone time be 2 or more of the following: i. An employer;

ii. A contractor; iii. A subcontractor; iv. A principal;

v. A self-employed person;
vi. An occupier of a workplace; vii. A designer, manufacturer or supplier of any machinery, equipment or hazardous substance for use at work;

viii. An erector, installer or a modifier of machinery or equipment for use at work;

ix. An owner, a hirer or lessee of machinery moved by mechanical power or a person who maintains such machinery for use at work,

DUTIES OF EMPLOYER
1. So far as is reasonably practicable, ensure the safety and health of his employees at work persons (not being his employees) who may be affected by any work carried out by him in the workplace 2. Take measures to ensure the safety and health of persons at work include: (a) Provide and maintain a safe & healthy workplace with adequate facilities and

arrangements for their welfare at work

(b) Provide adequate safety measures with regard to machinery, equipment, plant, article or process

DUTIES OF EMPLOYER
(c) Ensure that those persons are not exposed to hazards arising out of various operations at or near their workplace and under the control of the employer

(d)

Develop and implement procedures for dealing with emergencies

(e)

Ensure person at his workplace (employees/non-employees) has adequate instruction, information, training and supervision to carry out his activities safely and without risks of health

DUTIES OF EMPLOYEES
1. To properly use protective clothing, appliances, equipment things provided by their employer 2. 3. To co-operate with employer on OSH matters Not to willfully / recklessly interfere with / misuse any PPE, facilities, and other

appliances or anything provided for the safety, health and welfare of

any person at work 4. It is offence for persons at work to willfully or recklessly: - interfere with or misuse any item provided to secure safety, health & welfare of those persons - do anything to endanger himself or others

ENHANCED PENALTIES
Categories of Offences Individual Corporate Repeated offence causing death - individual - corporate person Max. Fine / Imprisonment $ 200,000 2 Yr or BOTH $ 500,000

$ 400,000; 2 yr or BOTH $ 1 million

Person fails to comply with the remedial order Person fails to comply with the stopwork order
Worker misuse or fails to use any safety appliances

$ 50,000; 1 yr or BOTH $ 500,000; 1 year or BOTH

$ 1,000 (1st Offence) $ 2,000 (2nd Offence)

WSH BULLETIN Safety and Health

https://www.wshc.sg/wps/portal/bulletinview?action=viewBulletin&bulletinID=BU2010101 815187&ayear=2010&amonth=October&category=&topic=

Shipyard fined S$150,000 for failure to ensure workers' safety By Dylan Loh | Posted: 06 April 2010 2331 hrs

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1048286/1/. html
SINGAPORE : Shipyard Prime Marine has been fined S$150,000 for failure to ensure workers' safety, resulting in deaths. This is a record sum for a shipyard under the Workplace Safety and Health Act.

It equals the amount a construction firm was fined in another accident.

In December 2007, two workers of Prime Marine died after being told to carry out works in a tank on a vessel. It turned out that the tank contained a toxic level of Hydrogen Sulphide. The workers were instructed to proceed with the works by their supervisor Png Aik Meng without being provided proper equipment for breathing or gas detection. Png knew of the presence of toxic gas but still sent the workers in despite the dangers involved. Png, the supervisor in charge during the accident, was fined S$50,000. - CNA/ms

S$80,000 FINE FOR UNSAFE WORKPLACE

Investigations by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) showed the floor was wet, greasy and slippery. There was no anti-slip floor mat and damaged non-slip tiles had been replaced with those with less slip resistance. The MOM said this showed the company had failed to provide a safe workplace for its employees. Although the company had issued a pair of safety boots to Mr. Abdul, it was not enough to prevent him from falling. Mr. Ho Siong Hin, Commissioner for Workplace Safety and Health, MOM, said the conviction sent a warning to all workplaces, He said: In this instance, the employers absence of risk assessment and the lack of workplace safety measures contributed to the tragic and unnecessary loss of a life. If the employer had conducted a risk assessment, they would have realised the slipping and tripping hazards present at the workplace. MOM reminds all employers, individuals and stakeholders of the importance of ensuring and adhering to proper safety measures.

WSH (RM) REGULATIONS

Regulation 1 - Citation and Commencement Regulation 2 - Definitions Regulation 3 - Risk assessment Regulation 4 - Elimination and control of risk Regulation 5 - Records of risk assessment, etc Regulation 6 - Provision of information Regulation 7 - Review of risk assessment

Regulation 8 - Offence

REGULATIONS 3 - RISK ASSESSMENT

Risk assessment to be conducted in every workplace by employer or self employed person or principal

REGULATIONS 4 - ELIMINATION & CONTROL OF RISK

Take all reasonably practical steps to eliminate any foreseeable risks If not possible then: - Minimise risk & - Adopt Safe Work Procedures Roles & responsibilities to implement controls must be clearly specified

REGULATIONS 5 - RECORDS OF RISK ASSESSMENT

Maintain record of risk assessments conducted & controls implemented

Records to be submitted to Commissioner when required

Records must be kept for at least 3 years

REGULATIONS 6 - PROVISION OF INFORMATION

Every persons exposed to the risks must be informed of - Nature of risks - Controls or SWPs implemented

Provide updates whenever - Risk assessment is revised - Controls or Safe Work Procedures are Changed

REGULATIONS 7 - REVIEW OF RISK ASSESSMENT

Review and, if necessary, revise risk assessment At least once every 3 years Upon injuries Where there are significant changes in work practices / procedures

REGULATIONS 8 - OFFENCES

Contraventions to the above can cause liabilities Max S$10,000 (First Offence) Max S$20,000 or max 6 months imprisonment or both (Second offence onwards)

RM RESPONSIBILITIES

Employers shall: Form a risk assessment team Endorse and approve the risk assessments conducted Ensure risk control measures are implemented

RM RESPONSIBILITIES

Employers shall: Ensure Safe Work Procedures are developed Inform employees of job risks and safe work procedures (SWP) and ensure they are implemented Set-up a risk assessment register Review and update at least once every three years

RM RESPONSIBILITIES

Employers shall: Participate in the risk assessment Adhere to the safe work procedures Inform supervisors of any shortcomings in the safe work procedures or control measures

RISK ASSESSMENT

A systematic process of: Identifying safety and health hazards in workplaces Estimating the risks involved Prioritizing control measures to mitigate hazards

RISK ASSESSMENT

1
Preparation Work

2
Hazard

3
Risk Evaluation

Identification

6
Record Keeping

5
Implementation & Review

4
Risk Control

PREPARATION WORKS
Collect information:
Identify processes / activities / work areas Research documents - Machine / equipment manuals - Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) - Past accident records - WSH Standards / guidebooks Plant walk through Interviews / Surveys

IDENTIFY ACTIVITIES / WORK AREAS

MACHINE / EQUIPMENT MANUALS

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

WSH STANDARDS / GUIDEBOOKS

WALKING THROUGH THE OFFICE

INTERVIEWS / SURVEYS
Typical questions:
What are the typical injuries or health complaints from the workers? Who have been hurt or are having symptoms?

When do workers have these symptoms?

Where in the workplace are these problems occurring? What were the working conditions of workers who are suffering from these symptoms?

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
1. Hazard
Anything with potential to cause bodily injury Includes any
Physical Chemical Thermal Mechanical Electrical Ergonomic (E.g. Working at height, falling objects) (E.g. Detergents, cleaning agents) (E.g. Heat) (E.g. Moving vehicles or machines) (E.g. Electrical cables, electric powered equipment) (E.g. Manual Lifting)

2. Hazard Identification The process to identify all situations or events that could cause illness or serious injuries to workers

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
PHYSICAL HAZARDS
Manually lifting too much at one time Standing on chairs Trailing electrical cables Overloaded power sockets

POSSIBLE ACCIDENTS
Back sprain Fractures / sprains / bruises due to falling Fractures / sprains / bruises due to tripping and falling 1. Electrocution 2. Fires

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
PHYSICAL HAZARDS
Uneven carpets / wet floors

POSSIBLE ACCIDENTS
Fractures / sprains / bruises due to tripping and falling

1. Files / materials stacked to high Falling objects crashing onto our heads 2. Old / unstable cupboards and shelves 1. Shredding machines 2. Scissors / staples / pen-knives Hot Beverages Cuts and lacerations Burns and scalding

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
PHYSICAL HAZARDS
Chemicals - Solvents - Glues - Paints Dust, moulds, fungi Bad lighting or glare Bad working postures

POSSIBLE ACCIDENTS
1. Occupational skin disease 2. Fires

Respiratory irritation (SBS) Eye strain, headaches Musculoskeletal disorders

Food waste

Infections

RISK EVALUATION

A process to: Estimate risk levels for the identified hazards Determine if the acceptability of the risk levels

RISK EVALUATION
4 Steps: 1. Identify the existing control measures

2. Estimate the potential severity of the hazards

3. Determine the likelihood of occurrence

4. Assess the risk level

RISK EVALUATION
Risk is a function of 2 factors: 1. Severity

The degree of injury

2. Likelihood
The possibility of accident or ill health occurrence

RISK EVALUATION
Categories of Likelihood
RARE REMOTE OCCASIONAL FREQUENT ALMOST CERTAIN

Not expected but sill people Not likely to occur normally Possible or known to occur Common occurrence Repeating occurrence

RISK EVALUATION
To better estimate the likelihood of an accident or incident, look at: Past incident and accident records Industry practice and experience

Relevant published literature

Existing control measures

RISK EVALUATION
Categories of Severity
NEGLIGIBLE MINOR MODERATE MAJOR CATASTROPHIC
No injury

Require first aid treatment only

Injury require medical treatment Ill health leading to disability Serious injuries Life-threatening occupational disease Fatal Multiple major injuries

RISK EVALUATION
Examples of First Aid:

Minor Cuts

Skin Irritation

RISK EVALUATION
Examples of Medical Treatment Cases

Fractures

Spinal injuries not leading to disabilities

RISK EVALUATION
Examples of Ill health leading to disabilities

Noised Induced Deafness

Permanent Musculoskeletal Disorders (e.g. CTS)

RISK EVALUATION
Examples of Serious injuries / Fatal

Amputations / Permanent disabilities

Death

RISK EVALUATION
Examples of Life threatening Occupational Diseases

Asbestosis /Silicosis

Liver Cancer

RISK EVALUATION
WSHC Approved CP
5 X 5 Risk Matrix to Assess Risk
Likelihood Severity

Rare (1)

Remote (2)

Occasional (3)

Frequent (4)

Almost Certain (5)

Catastrophic (5) Major (4)

5 4

10 8

15 12

20 16

25 20

Moderate (3)

12

15

Minor (2)

10

Negligible (1)

Low Risk: 1-3

Medium Risk:4-12

High Risk: 15-25

RISKS CONTROL
Risk Level High Risk Acceptability of Risk NOT acceptable Recommended Actions Must be reduced to at least Medium Risk Immediate management intervention is required Temporary control measures e.g. administrative controls cannot be used

RISKS CONTROL
Risk Level
Med Risk

Acceptability of Risk
Moderately acceptable

Recommended Actions
Evaluation of the hazards to ensure risk level is reduced to as low as possible Temporary control measures can be used e.g. administrative controls Management attention is required

Low Risk

Acceptable

No need additional control Frequent review may be needed

HIERARCHY OF CONTROLS

ELIMINATION

Total removal of hazard

Most effective method Should be attempted in the very first place Examples: Using water based paints to replace solvent based paints Purchase materials pre-cut to size

Using electronic documents

Using Wi-Fi Removing carpets

SUBSTITUTION

Job with a higher level of risk is substituted with another job with a lower one.
Examples: Replace normal light bulbs with ones that have longer operating life Replace chemical in powder form to chemical in gel or paste form Replace high shelves with low shelves Replace heavy items / furniture with light ones

ENGINEERING CONTROLS

Engineered machinery or equipment used to reduce the risk of a hazard

Examples: Machine / Equipment guarding

Barricades
Enclosures Sensors

Trolleys / Lifting Equipment

ENGINEERING CONTROLS Machine Guarding

ENGINEERING CONTROLS Barricades

ENGINEERING CONTROLS Noise Enclosures

ENGINEERING CONTROLS Sensors

ENGINEERING CONTROLS Trolleys / Lifting Equipment

ADMISTRATIVE CONTROLS
Control Principles:
To reduce the duration exposure of employees To provide guides in performing jobs or tasks in the safest possible manner

Examples:
Training Safe Work Procedures

Job rotation
Warning signs

TRAINING
Various Training
On the job Orientation Refresher Specific topic (Hazard type) Promotional activities Regulatory required

SAFE WORK PROCEDURES

A step-by-step & easy-to-understand instructions to perform the work safely

Includes the following: Precautions at work and during emergency

Description of activity / process

Tools used and PPE requirements Operating Criteria

The position that has supervisory responsibility

Competencies required

JOB ROTATION

Switch / alternate between tasks to reduce the exposure time

WARNING SIGNS

WARNING SIGNS

PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT

Always the last resort, because it.
Gives a false sense of security Is highly dependent on users Does not remove a hazards May add extra burden to users

Used when: Engineering and administrative controls are not feasible or insufficient Emergency situations

PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT

Important notes on PPE

Selection of the proper equipment

Importance of correct fitting Importance of PPE training
Nature of the hazards the equipment is intended to protect against Consequences of poor performance or equipment failure Ways to maintain and clean the equipment To recognize wear and tear during the course of use

PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT Masks

PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT Ear Muffs vs Ear Plugs

PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT

Oil resistant type

Safety Shoes
Chemical resistant type

Light weight anklet type

Sole Leather type

Derby type Half Gumboot type

PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT Gloves

IMPLEMENTING CONTROL MEASURES

To effectively implement the proposed measures:
Assign an action officer from the appropriate department to which risk is concerned. He should be competent to perform the required task and be familiar with the work. Determine the date of completion of risk control measures according to the priority in order to cater the immediate needs of addressing the high risk tasks.

DOCUMENTING YOUR RA
Risk assessment records kept for three (3) years
Records be concise and include: Team members detail Hazards for each work activity

Risk level
Existing and/or additional risk control measures Persons who conducted and approved the assessment Date of assessment

DOCUMENTING YOUR RA
Risk Assessment Form
Department: Process: Process/Activity Location: Original Assessment date: Last review date: Next review date:
HAZARD IDENTIFICATION Ref Work Activity Hazard Possible injury/illhealth Existing risk controls S

RA Leader: RA Member 1: RA Member 2: RA Member 3: RA Member 4: RA Member 5:

RISK EVALUATION L RPN Additional Controls

Approved by

Signature: Name: Designation: Date:

RISK CONTROL S L RPN Implemen tation Person

Notes:

REVIEWING YOUR RA
Risk assessment review:
New machines, chemicals or procedures introduced Area of work changes Serious accidents or incidents happen

New health and safety risk information occurs

After a fixed time interval of 3 years

IN CONCLUSION

1
Preparation
Work

2
Hazard Identification

3
Risk Evaluation

6
Record Keeping

5
Implementatio n & Review

4
Risk Control

Thank You!