How to Investigate Incidents in HEST Pty Ltd - Report Example

MEMO: Hazards. HEST Pty Ltd. How to investigate incidents for prevention, including lead up, during and post event. Incidents on the site should be investigated before they happen, as they happen and after they have taken place. This can be done through a number of steps including reporting the occurrence of the incident to a concerned person in the company. The next step is the provision of first aid and treatment to the victims to prevent more injuries (Phil Hughes, Ferrett 2009). After this all the important facts about the occurrence of the accident should be documented and the causes of the accident identified. The investigator should then report all the findings so that a plan to correct the situation can be developed. The plan should then be implemented and the effectiveness of the action taken evaluated. The company should make changes to correct the situation. Investigations into an accident should be launched immediately so that investigators can observe the conditions before witnesses and evidence is lost. Tools such as tape measure, camera, pencil paper and others should be availed immediately the incident has occurred (Phil Hughes, Ferrett 2009). How to communicate and consult about the exposure to the hazard falls. Effective communication about the existence of fall hazards is very important on construction sites. Communication should be done effectively by the intended meaning of the communicator and the perceived meaning of the people receiving the message being made to be one. The message being communicated should be clear, is concise and has enough and appropriate information. There is need to have a shared system of language codes between the receiver and the information sender (Dalton 1998). Evidence / sources of information and Data that could be used to identify Hazards Data identification can be done with information obtained through different ways. Information can be obtained through observing directly to see where there may be a risk. Completing checklists also helps to identify areas where there could be hazards. Other information can be obtained through site safety audits, inspections at the construction site, investigation of incidents and accidents and monitoring of the construction site. Information about the safety of the site can also be gathered from feedback from other people, records about illnesses and injuries on workers. Investigation of the concerns of staff members can provide information (Phil Hughes, Ferrett 2009). It is also important that the health and the wellbeing of the environment be monitored. These are other sources of important information. Data can also be obtained through consultation with staff or consultation with external organizations. Identification of hazards can also be done with information from historical data. How to identify the risks, Analyze and evaluate the risks i) Identification Methods of identifying and analyzing risks include workplace inspection, investigation of incidents and accidents and records among others. Other methods include analyzing available information, having brainstorming sessions, analyzing flow charts and organizational charts, hazard and operability studies, fault trees such as HAZAN process and hazard indices such as Dow fire and explosion index (Wadden, Scheff, 1987). Physical inspections should be done at the work place in a systematic way by managers and supervisors in order to identify hazards. This can be down through discussions and observations as well as using checklists. Employees must cooperate with employers for them to conduct good inspections. The information obtained from the inspections should be documented and availed for employees. Hazards can also be identified and analyzed through investigation of accidents and incidents. Records also help especially when they are about injuries, training in occupational Health and Safety, illness and accidents. Information documented on “near hits” could be necessary in identification and analysis of hazards. Registers of injuries are also helpful (Phil Hughes, Ferrett 2009). ii) Evaluation The fall risks on a construction site may be evaluated and analyzed through the likelihood that a fall can occur, the potential distance that the person could fall and the magnitude of harm that when could sustain when falling. The analysis of any risk relies on how much information is available and the quality of that information. Relevant information is required as well as knowledge and experience in the environment of the work for people doing risk evaluation. When evaluating the risks it is important to break down all the activities into different parts so that each one is assessed differently (Wadden, Scheff, 1987). When evaluating the risk one should look at work processes or workplaces that are similar look at the previous reports on incidents and injuries and data on falls, carry out consultations with HSRs and other staff members. He should also observe the manner in which jobs and tasks are done and the way of organization of work. Risk evaluation also depends on the determination of the layout and the size of the place of work, the movements of the people at the site, determination of the kind of operation to be done and identification of the type of machines that will be used. Risk evaluation should also include the assessment of the adequacy of inspection and the processes of inspection (Wadden, Scheff, 1987). iii) Risk analysis When risk factors have been identified, they should be classified differently into quantitative and qualitative categories. The process of analysis of risks could also be classified into qualitative and quantitative. The quantitative analysis process measures the consequences and probability of the risks and provides an estimation of the implications for the objectives of the project. Quantified risks normally turn out to be monetary factors. Qualitative risks are not monetary factors and their analysis is normally qualitative. The methods used can be impact and probability matrix for classification of risks into various categories (Spellman, Bieber, 2011). In Hest identify the options to control risk and select the best options to treat those risks. Hest needs to control risks by implementing various measures that will help to reduce falls as long as the handrails, scaffolds and edge protection are yet to be put in place. Where possible, workers should ensure that they work at ground level. They should also be given appropriate instructions and training about the condition and state of the site and how to avoid risks (Dalton 1998). All obstructions should be removed from passage ways, stairs, and aisles. There should be safety signs erected in various specified areas to warn workers of the dangerous state of the stairs and passage ways. When working at a height that is over 1.8 meters, workers should use protective measures such as safety harness, safety nets and many other safe fall arrest methods. They should use mechanical lifting equipment to reduce the risks of fall. Workers should also make use of non slip shoes. Risks in Hest include falling from the stairs and the balcony. This can be treated by implementing an edge protection system, securing of scaffolding and handrails around the stairs. How Hest will monitor and review the effectiveness of risk controls in eliminating or minimizing exposure hazards. Hest can review and monitor how effective risk controls are in hazard minimization and elimination by ensuring that inspection at the place of work is done and that audits are conducted. The company should also ensure that all the listed measures of control are maintained in their rightful positions. The risk register should be reviewed on regular basis. This process should be ongoing and should be integrated within every activity at the place of work (Phil Hughes, Ferrett 2009). Describe how the Hierarchy of controls at Hest can help in risk management process. The hierarchy of controls has elimination, Substitution, Isolation, Engineering, Administration, and Personal Protective Equipment. Eliminating the hazard is an absolute rectification of the hazardous situation so that it no longer exists. Substitution involves change of use of materials or avoidance of risky areas. Methods of work can also be changed from risky one to the less risky ones. For example there can be an occupational Health and Safety training prior to commencement of work on the hazardous places. In isolation the affected or risky area can be closed up completely so that no work is done until the risk is eliminated. Roping off the risky areas to prevent workers and the public from accessing it can be done as well. This is called engineering (Dalton 1998). Administration will involve the dissemination of information to all people concerned about the hazardous condition of the sections of the site. Personal protective equipment creates a barrier between the hazard and the workers. This should be used when all the other measures of control are not applicable. Equipment that is designed well such as hart hats; safety harnesses, eye protection, respirators and gloves should be used. One measure of protection may not be enough when applied alone and therefore a combination could be necessary. The best/worst approach could also be used. In this approach the best measures feature at the top while the worst are placed below them (Government Institutes Inc, Government Institutes Research Group 2007). How each level of Hierarchy of controls relates to HEST Pty Ltd.? The first stage in the hierarchy of controls is elimination in which a contractor is engaged to work on the missing hand rails and scaffolds and completely eliminate the hazard. The second option is substitution in which the workers can be advised to avoid using the sections of the stairs and balcony that do not have handrails, edge protection and scaffolds. The other option is engineering in which the risky section of the building is roped off from the workers and any visitor (Wadden, Scheff, 1987). The next option is administration in which all the users are made aware of the hazardous circumstances. Systems should also be put in place for regular inspection of paths so that repairs can be done before anybody has fallen from the balcony and the stairs. Finally there is protective equipment. Workers should use protective equipment when working to avoid falling. Why HEST Pty Ltd must document its risk management processes. Documentation of the process of risk management should be done by creation of a Hazard Register which can be used in future when the process of risk management is revisited. The hazards and their controls should be reviewed after every 5 years and this necessitates the documentation of the risk management process (Wadden, Scheff, 1987). The documents and the register created can be useful when a review is done before any work different from the one that was done is about to start. Documents can also be useful when changes are instituted in the work type and work practices that can cause risks to employees. Evidence needed to meet Legislative requirements for notification of incidents. The evidence should show that the incidents involved can cause serious injury and death. Incidents to be notified should be resulting in death and serious injury. Serious injuries cause situations where there is required medical treatment in 48 hours of exposure to the dangerous condition. The situation also demands immediate treatment in hospital on in patient basis. A serious injury could also be one that requires amputation or results in serious head and eye injury, skin being separated from the tissue below for example scalping, electric shock, injury of the spinal code, serious lacerations and body function being lost (Australian government 2012). Evidence needed to meet legislative requirements for consultation and communication record keeping and the reporting of incidents. The Occupational Health and Safety law requires that certain evidence be available for any accident to be notified to relevant authority and records kept about it. Incidents to be notified should have evidence of people having suffered bodily harm. Serious bodily harm means that the victim is disabled so that he must be put on hospital admission as an in patient (Australian government 2012). Notification should also be made of dangerous incidents whereby the incidents cause damage to machinery, scaffolding or other structure that is dangerous to people close by. Evidence should show that the incident is an explosion that cannot be controlled, fire or electricity discharge, steam, gas or any occurrence where a dangerous substance is involved. This substance should be presenting a threat of an explosion, serious injury on the body, fire or serious property damage (Dalton 1998). References Australian government (2012). Occupational Health and Safety. (online). Retrieved from http://australia.gov.au/topics/health-and-safety/occupational-health-and-safety 20 September 2012. Dalton J. P. A. (1998). Safety, Health and Environmental Hazards at the Workplace. Routledge. Government Institutes Inc, Government Institutes Research Group (2007). Occupational Safety and Health for Simplified for the Construction Industry. Government Institutes. Phil Hughes, Ed Ferrett (2009). Introduction to Health and Safety at Work. Routledge. Spellman, F.R., Bieber, R.M. (2011). Physical Hazard Control: Preventing Injuries in the Workplace. John Wiley & Sons. Wadden, R. A., Scheff, P.A. (1987). Engineering design for the Control of Workplaces hazards. Cengage. Read More

These are other sources of important information. Data can also be obtained through consultation with staff or consultation with external organizations. Identification of hazards can also be done with information from historical data. How to identify the risks, Analyze and evaluate the risks i) Identification Methods of identifying and analyzing risks include workplace inspection, investigation of incidents and accidents and records among others. Other methods include analyzing available information, having brainstorming sessions, analyzing flow charts and organizational charts, hazard and operability studies, fault trees such as HAZAN process and hazard indices such as Dow fire and explosion index (Wadden, Scheff, 1987).

Physical inspections should be done at the work place in a systematic way by managers and supervisors in order to identify hazards. This can be down through discussions and observations as well as using checklists. Employees must cooperate with employers for them to conduct good inspections. The information obtained from the inspections should be documented and availed for employees. Hazards can also be identified and analyzed through investigation of accidents and incidents. Records also help especially when they are about injuries, training in occupational Health and Safety, illness and accidents.

Information documented on “near hits” could be necessary in identification and analysis of hazards. Registers of injuries are also helpful (Phil Hughes, Ferrett 2009). ii) Evaluation The fall risks on a construction site may be evaluated and analyzed through the likelihood that a fall can occur, the potential distance that the person could fall and the magnitude of harm that when could sustain when falling. The analysis of any risk relies on how much information is available and the quality of that information.

Relevant information is required as well as knowledge and experience in the environment of the work for people doing risk evaluation. When evaluating the risks it is important to break down all the activities into different parts so that each one is assessed differently (Wadden, Scheff, 1987). When evaluating the risk one should look at work processes or workplaces that are similar look at the previous reports on incidents and injuries and data on falls, carry out consultations with HSRs and other staff members.

He should also observe the manner in which jobs and tasks are done and the way of organization of work. Risk evaluation also depends on the determination of the layout and the size of the place of work, the movements of the people at the site, determination of the kind of operation to be done and identification of the type of machines that will be used. Risk evaluation should also include the assessment of the adequacy of inspection and the processes of inspection (Wadden, Scheff, 1987). iii) Risk analysis When risk factors have been identified, they should be classified differently into quantitative and qualitative categories.

The process of analysis of risks could also be classified into qualitative and quantitative. The quantitative analysis process measures the consequences and probability of the risks and provides an estimation of the implications for the objectives of the project. Quantified risks normally turn out to be monetary factors. Qualitative risks are not monetary factors and their analysis is normally qualitative. The methods used can be impact and probability matrix for classification of risks into various categories (Spellman, Bieber, 2011).

In Hest identify the options to control risk and select the best options to treat those risks. Hest needs to control risks by implementing various measures that will help to reduce falls as long as the handrails, scaffolds and edge protection are yet to be put in place. Where possible, workers should ensure that they work at ground level. They should also be given appropriate instructions and training about the condition and state of the site and how to avoid risks (Dalton 1998).

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