Risk and Incident Management: Analyzing Processes and Conducting Assessment

Study Notes

A risk matrix is used during a risk assessment to measure the level of risk by considering the consequence/severity and likelihood of injury to a worker after being exposed to a hazard.
The risk matrix helps determine the overall risk rating of the hazard by answering two questions: Consequences and Likelihood.
Consequences can be grouped into four categories: Fatality, Major or serious injury, Minor injury, and Negligible injuries.
The likelihood of a hazard causing worker injury can be grouped into four categories: Very likely, Likely, Unlikely, and Highly unlikely.
Risk assessment reasons for review include residual risk, ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable), reasonably practicable, social political and cultural influences, OH&S risk assessment, strategic direction of the organization, and factors that influence risk tolerability or acceptability.
The objectives of carrying out a risk assessment are to identify hazards, assess the risk, understand the likelihood, implement control measures, and manage the risk.
Correction refers to putting the situation right after an incident has occurred, while corrective action is a long-term solution to prevent a recurrence of the issue. Preventive action is a proactive measure to prevent an incident before it happens.
Sources of information for a risk assessment include internal records such as incident reports, hazard identification records, risk assessments, and safety training records, and external sources such as material safety data sheets, machine maintenance instructions, and regulatory body websites.
Workplace inspections are crucial for identifying hazards, assessing risks, and implementing control measures. Factors to consider when planning inspections include the frequency, type, competent inspection staff, resources, inspection criteria, responsibilities and authorities, and performance indicators.
Incident investigation is an important part of the OHS management system, with the objective of identifying the root cause of the incident, suggesting control measures, and improving safety culture.
Incident investigation can influence safety culture by providing an opportunity to learn from incidents, improving communications, and fostering a proactive approach to safety.
Incident investigation prerequisites include deciding who will carry out the investigation, the responsibilities for carrying out the investigation, incident site preservation, first aid and medical treatment, witness volunteers or not, and the facts and data reliability.
Good interviewing principles from witnesses include building a rapport, relevant questions only, elaborating and explaining, remembering the incident perspective only, open-ended questions, patience, and human psychology.
The contents of an effective investigation report include the date, time, and location of the incident, details of any injuries, ill health, or damages, a description of the incident, relevant documents, and identification of the situations and practices which resulted in the incident.