A hazard is something that has the potential to harm you or affect your employee’s safety or health. But, in order to prevent accidents, you have to know how to identify them.
Sources of hazards include tools & equipment, materials, processes, facilities, conditions, and work practices.
Here are the six things you can do to identify the hazards and make your workplace safer:
Conduct a Baseline Hazard Survey
A baseline survey is a thorough or careful evaluation of your entire site — work processes, facilities and equipment — which identifies safety or health hazards.
Do A Job Hazard Analysis
A job hazard analysis (JHA) is a method or process of identifying, assessing, & controlling the hazards associated or linked with specific jobs, breaking the job into tasks which are then evaluated.
Use Safety Data Sheets To Identify Chemical Hazards
Your employees must be able to understand and use the safety data sheets (SDSs) which has detailed information about the chemical’s health impacts, its physical and chemical properties, and safe practices for the handling.
Look For New Hazards Whenever You Replace Equipment, Materials, or Work Processes
Determine what the hazards could result from the changes and how to eliminate or control the hazards. If you work at various sites, you may need to do the hazard assessment at each site.
Investigate Accidents And Near-Miss Incidents To Discover Root Causes.
Do Regular Workplace Inspections
Regular inspections help you decide if you have eliminated or controlled the existing hazards and can identify the new hazards.
