Risk Management: Griffith University - Case Study Example

Report On Risk Management Name Institution Date Report On Risk Management: Griffith University Introduction The main requirement of Occupational Health and Safety legislation is to methodically control the risks resulting from workplace hazards. There is supposed to be an efficient consultation and communication with the concerned workers regarding the risks and also how these risks are managed. Griffith University’s Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) risk management system has been created through a working party of the Central OHS Committee and the entire University society was consulted before it was implemented. The University’s OHS has logical significance for managers, supervisors as well as workers, who have the duty of overseeing the activities of other personnel or students. Griffith University’s staffs with supervisory authority are obligated to make sure that OHS guidelines are successfully put into practice within their designated areas of responsibility (Lewis, 2008). Establishing the Context OHS risk management takes place at various levels at Griffith University. OH&S has developed an OHS risk and legal conformity register specifying the OHS risks related to Griffith University’s operations and activities. The register consists of the hazards, the potential effects as well as the risks ratings and the implemented risk control measures to minimize identified risks. The register is revised twice annually and a report presented to the Audit and Risk Management office. The activities of every department in the University are analyzed and organizational risks are established, examined and assessed. Control strategies are established for tackling the critical and high risks indentified. The head of the faculty signs off the risk profile and consents to carry out yearly review of risks as well as management strategies. At the end of every program, an outline of the recommended actions for addressing high risks is submitted to the University’s vice-chancellor. Various tools have been developed for staff and students for undertaking risk management at the institution. At Griffith University, the importance of the risk management processes is to make sure that identified risks and controlled successfully (Leo, 2011). Risk Identification Griffith University utilizes various methods in identifying the risks and they include: Safety Audits Internal safety audits are carried out yearly to assess the efficiency of the OHS Management System. The manager responsible for workplace health and safety in the institution gives an audit report and proposals to the University Executive (Leo, 2011). Workplace Inspections Regular inspections of the workplace are carried out by a Safety Support Official to establish the hazards present within the workplace. Depending on the work area, the form of inspection can be either: High risk, for example laboratories, workshops as well as art studies; these inspections are performed every month Low risk, for example lecture halls, administration areas and office; the inspections are performed four times in one year. The Safety Support Official, in consultation with workers, inspects and examines the workplace in order to establish if there is any hazard. Hazards are recorded on specific check sheets for the concerned work area and suggestions offered for the area’s manager. In case the workplace matters in the particular area are not resolved, the Safety Support Officer can refer them to the University OHS Representative (Keller, 2010). Incident, Accident and Hazard Reports These reports are completed every time an accident or hazard takes place. Afterward the completed report is submitted to the Workplace Health & Safety manager and a centralized register is kept. The Workplace Health & Safety manager is responsible for providing advice on the appropriate action to be carried out to prevent the incident, accident or the hazard from recurring (Keller, 2010). Injury and Illness Records Statistics are collected from the Incident, Accident and Hazard Reports in order to establish the existence of hazards, in particular where there is a recurring occurrence of injury. The Workplace Health & Safety manager provides a report about these statistics every month to the University’s OHS Representative and every year to the University’s Executive (Keller, 2010). Health and Environmental Monitoring Where certain risks to the health of individuals on University location or to the environment are present or are expected, for example air monitoring in order to detect any hazardous contaminants or monitoring noise for loudness, methodological advice regarding hazard controls from the internal and external OHS experts is sought (Keller, 2010). Incidental Identification In case workers notice a workplace hazard, they are supposed to report the details to their supervisors or in case it is safe to do so, they should correct the identified hazard (Keller, 2010). Risk Assessment Once a hazard has been reported, the head of the unit/manager carries out a risk assessment in consultation with the workers who are affected. Risk assessment examines the probability of the hazard resulting to harm or injury as well as the severity of the harm or injury. Risk assessment involves establishing how serious the problem is and to carry out this the concerned manager and employees perform the following activities: They assess the probability of a harm or illness taking place and the potential severity of the harm or illness, through a risk assessment matrix for assigning a risk rating. The below risk assessment matrix is used in assigning a risk category from 1 to 5 to illustrate the essential urgency to resolve a hazard. Risk Assessment Matrix Likelihood Severity 9 Very likely could occur often 9 Likely - Unlikely High: Life threatening or cause serious injury 1 2 3 Medium: Can cause temporary incapacity 2 3 4 Low: can lead to inconvenience/first aid 3 4 5 (Lewis, 2008) Hazard Rating Time Scale for the Implementation of Risk Control 1 It is a serious situation. Might require stopping of work tasks or changing of the work procedures instantly. Should be resolved immediately. Consider both short and long term alternatives. 2 Action required to be taken in a judicious manner, but in case a fast and simple solution is there, the hazard ought to be resolved instantly. 3,4,5 Action is needed within three months but in case a fast and simple solution is there, the hazard ought to be resolved instantly. (Lewis, 2008) Factors that might be contributing to the risk are identified Where available, the health and safety information pertinent to the specific hazard is reviewed, for instance codes of practice. The results allied to risk assessments are documented. During the assessment of the risks related to the hazard, the specific managers consult with the workers who have been affected by the hazard. After the completion of the risk assessment procedure, the manager documents the results on the Risk Assessment and Control form (Lewis, 2008). Internal workplace sources for workplace hazards 1. Incident reports 2. Job safety analysis reports 3. OHS meeting minutes 4. Medical records 5. Workers feedback reports 6. Audit reports (Everly, 2006). Risk Treatment Appropriate risk control measures are established for the highest priority risks. The information is gotten during risk assessment process is used in dictating the appropriate risk control measures. For example, if risk assessment establishes that poor lightning within the area is a risk factor, this means that the lighting ought to be improved (Lewis, 2008). During the consideration of the risk control options, the supervisors and the managers consult with the individuals who are directly involved within the process. The provided range of risk control measures is considered and is referred to as “hierarchy of hazard control” and they are listed within priority order. This means that the most effective control measures are listed first while the least effective control measures are listed lower. Essentially, the highest practical levels of risk control ought to be selected and a mixture of higher and lower risk control is normally advantageous. The specific risk control to be implemented measures are recorded, the person responsible for the implementation as well as when they will be implemented. In addition, the names of the people who were consulted when deciding on the risk control measures to be implemented are recorded (Everly, 2006). Hierarchy of Hazard Control 1. Eliminate: In case the task or hazard outweighs the likely benefits it should be eliminated 2. Substitute the hazard with a less hazardous substance 3. Isolate the hazard through barriers or distance, for example insulating a noisy machine 4. Use engineering controls like exhaust ventilation for removing the dust 5. Minimize the hazard size as well as the extent of contact to the hazard 6. Re-arrange the work area as well as the work flow 7. Set up safe work practices, for example restricting area access. 8. Offer training and supervision suitable to the expertise level of the involved employees. As a minimum, this includes familiarizing with the local hazard, their control, safe work procedures, in addition to emergency processes. 9. Wear personal protective equipment, for example gloves and laboratory coats when one is in the laboratory. This is a secondary measure fir supplementing other established risk control measures (Keller, 2010). The implementation of the selected risk control measures should be done soonest possible. Any work tasks involving obvious risks that can result into serious injury must be stopped until appropriate controls are implemented to lessen the risk. The individual responsible for the implementation of the risk control measures informs everyone who was consulted during the decision making process regarding any ensuing changes to plans and steps forward toward completion. Step 3 is repeated for all other listed hazards/hazardous work tasks in priority order while step 4 is repeated and control risks for all hazards/hazardous work tasks assessed (Agency for Safety and Health at Work, 2008). Communication and Consultation Consultation is a fundamental aspect within Griffith University Occupational Health and Safety management system. Within the workplace, safety support officials generally consult with the workers regarding OHS affairs and inform the responsible manager about any issue or concern. On the other hand, the OHS committee informs management regarding the workers’ safety concerns and issuers. This entails giving aid as well as advice to the management regarding OHS policies and processes and assessing direct risks to Health and Safety. Safety Support Officials come up with recommendations on OHS matters that enable the management to make informed decisions on Health and Safety matters. The Safety Support Officials also inform workers of OHS matters that might result from various decisions from the management, for example introduction of a new piece of equipment (Roughton, 2008). Basically, at Griffith University, the key consultation means regarding health and safety issues is a direct dialogue between managers and employees acting under their instruction. Consultation at this level is essential to the resourceful and effective running of work health and safety risks. Consultation on work health and safety matters should be important and well-organized to enable all employees to take part in making decisions that affect their health, safety as well as welfare at work. As a result, all employees are given a chance to express their opinions and take part in a judicious manner to the resolution of work health and safety matters affecting them. These opinions are esteemed and are considered when making these decisions (CCH Australia Limited, 2007). In addition, all managers and supervisors are obligated to consult with employees acting under their instruction any time: Risks related with workplace activities are being evaluated and there is making of decisions regarding the control of the risks Changes are recommended to the facilities, tools, materials or systems of work. The communication and consultation procedure is consistent with the University’s OHS policy, which makes a pledge to provide a healthy and safe environment for University employees, students in addition to the visitors and also delegates duties for accomplishing this (Roughton, 2008). Monitoring and Review The operation of Occupational Health and Safety Management System is reviewed yearly as an aspect of the safety monitoring. The review provides an opportunity to amend, build upon and develop the efficacy of the OHS Management System. This constant improvement practice: Establishes OHS areas requiring improvement and this results to an improved OHS performance Establishes the cause of non-conformance or shortcomings Upholds the development and implementation of corrective and preventative actions to tackle causes Validates the efficiency of the corrective and preventative actions Records any changes in processes ensuing from process improvement Compares OHS’ objectives and targets to see if the targets have been achieved (Joseph, 2006). Program Evaluation To make sure that the OHS program at the University is working and effective to the University, the program will be reviewed triennially by the OHS department as well as the OHS committee. The review will target the efficacy of the procedures utilized in the identification, assessment and control risk within the workplace (CCH Australia Limited, 2010). Circumstances which may necessitate a review of the OHS guidelines frequently would consist of: Reported hazards or injuries Non-conforming systems Changes on legislations Concerns from OHS committee After the reviews are completed, the OHS program will be amended and updated to correct any deficiencies. These changes will be communicated to the entire University population through the OHS Committee meeting minutes (Burke, 2011). Conclusion Risk management is an essential component of the Griffith University strategic and operational planning procedure since it gives an all-inclusive and well thought-out framework for assisting the management in identification and management of the major risks and this includes OHS risks. The steps used in managing OHS risks in order to manage occupational health and safety risks include identification of hazards and hazardous tasks, assigning priority for all hazards and hazardous tasks, assessing the risks to establish the causes as well as the impact, controlling/treating the risks and monitoring and reviewing of the processes to ensure hat the OHS risks are being managed efficiently. References Burke, J. (2011). Occupational Health and Safety. London: Gower Publishing, Ltd. CCH Australia Limited (2007). Australian Master OHS and Environment Guide. Sydney: CCH Australia Limited. CCH Australia Limited (2010). Australian master human resources guide. Sydney: CCH Australia Limited. Leo, R. (2011). WHS: A Management Guide. Melbourne: Cengage Learning. Lewis, G. (2008). Safety management system registration in the shipping industry. International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management. Vol. 20/ 6. Joseph, L. (2006). Current Occupational & Environmental Medicine. Sydney: McGraw-Hill Professional. Roughton, J. (2008). Developing an Effective Safety Culture: A Leadership Approach. Austria: Butterworth-Heinemann. Everly, G. (2006). An introduction to occupational health psychology. New Jersey: Sage. Keller, G. (2010). Innovations in Occupational Health and Safety: A source book. Sarasota, FL: Professional Resource Exchange. Agency for Safety and Health at Work (2008). Facts 76/EN National economics and occupational safety and health. Bilbao, Spain: Agency for Safety and Health at Work. Legislations Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 2007 Dangerous Goods Act 1985 Griffiths University OHS Documents Risk Management Program Job Safety Analysis OHS Induction and Training at Griffith University Read More