CHAPTER 6 HIRARC (GROUP DISCUSSION)

INTRODUCTION

Hierarchy of hazard control is a system used in industry to minimize or eliminate exposure to hazard. It is a widely accepted system promoted by numerous safety organizations. This concept is tough to manager in industry,to be promoted as standard practice in workplace. Various illustrations are used to depict this system, most commonly a triangle.

BY ELIMINATION ACTION

Elimination - Elimination of a specific hazard or hazardous work process, or preventing it from entering the workplace, is the most effective method of control. For example, a salvage firm might decide to stop buying and cutting up scrapped bulk fuel tanks due to explosion hazards.

BY SUBSTITUTION ACTION

Substitution - Sometimes doing teh same work in a less hazardous way is possible. For example, a hazardous  chemical can be replaced with a less hazardous one. Controls must protect workers from from any new hazards that are created.

BY ISOLATION ACTION 

Isolation - If a hazard cannot be elimination or replaced, it can some times be isolated, contained or otherwise kept away from workers. For example, an insulated and air-conditioned control room can protect aperators from a toxic chemical.

BY ENGINEERING CONTROL ACTION

Engineering Control - The third most effective means of controlling hazards is engineered controls. These do not eliminate hazards, but rather isolate people from hazards. Capital costs of engineered controls tend to be higher than less effective controls in the hierarchy, however they may reduce future costs. For example, a crew might build a work platform rather than purchase, replace, and maintain fall arrest equipment. "Enclosure and isolation" creates a physical barrier between personnel and hazards, such as using remotely controlled equipment. Fume hoods can remove airborne contaminants as a means of engineered control.

BY ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL ACTION

Administrative Control - Administrative controls are changes to the way people work. Examples of administrative controls include procedure changes, employee training, and installation of signs and warning label (such as those in the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System). Administrative controls do not remove hazards, but limit or prevent people's exposure to the hazards, such as completing road construction at night when fewer people are driving.

BY PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT ACTION

Personal protective equipment - Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes gloves, Nomex/Uniform, respirators, hard hats, safety glasses, high-visibility clothing, and safety footwear. PPE is the least effective means of controlling hazards because of the high potential for damage to render PPE ineffective. Additionally, some PPE, such as respirators, increase physiological effort to complete a task and, therefore, may require medical examinations to ensure workers can use the PPE without risking their health.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF RISK NOT CONTROL ?

Risk assessments are very important as they form an integral part of an occupational health and safety management plan. They help to:

• Create awareness of hazards and risk.
• Identify who may be at risk (e.g., employees, cleaners, visitors, contractors, the public, etc.).
• Determine whether a control program is required for a particular hazard.
• Determine if existing control measures are adequate or if more should be done.
• Prevent injuries or illnesses, especially when done at the design or planning stage.
• Prioritize hazards and control measures.
• Meet legal requirements where applicable.

CONCLUSION

In order to reduce the hazard or most critical hazard rate, the employer should show commitment towards safety and health practices and therefore give full priority to promote and enforce the safety and health rules in workplace.Hierarchy of control where use in order to minimize and control the most critical hazard and that exist at the workplace. To ensure the safety culture can be implemented in an organization. The management and workers have to take part in any safety and health program and give a full cooperation when comes to safety and health issues.

REFERENCE

1. https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/risk_assessment.html
2. https://www.osha.gov/dte/grant_materials/fy11/sh-22318-11/Mod_3_HazardIDInstructorNotes.pdf
3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hierarchy_of_hazard_controls
4. http://www.academia.edu/6078023/CHAPTER_6_HAZARD_IDENTIFICATION_RISK_ASSESSMENT_AND_RISK_CONTROL_HIRARC
5. http://www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/managing/managingtherisks.htm