Hazard
recognition is one of the most critical aspects of occupational safety. “One of
the ‘root causes’ of workplace injuries, illnesses, and incidents is the
failure to identify or recognize hazards that are present, or that could have
been anticipated.”
The recognition of
hazards involves the study of work processes, to identify possible factors which
may pose health and safety hazards. This is a fundamental step in the practice
of occupational hygiene. Hazards which are not recognized will be neither
evaluated nor controlled.
Recognition requires the
basic background information. But to apply it in the workplace requires a systematic
approach, consisting of gathering of information and a workplace survey, not
necessarily involving measurement. However, a quantitative evaluation of the
risks and of the necessary control measures may then be needed.
The steps for an
adequate hazard recognition are: ·
- Initial collection of information on the
process in question and potential associated hazards, from the literature
and/or previous surveys, if any;
- Actual visit to the workplace for
detailed observation (usually referred to as “walkthrough” survey); and, ·
- Subsequent analysis of the observations.
The first step is
collection of information to optimize the actual observations. In order to
avoid overlooking potential hazards during the walk-through survey, it is
important to make a record of the observations.
Collection of
information about hazards will continue during the walk-through survey. However,
the walk-through survey will also review how materials are being used, what
potential hazards exists, what control
measures (if any) are in place, and the degree to which these appear to be
performing effectively.
Whenever hazards are
evident and serious, the qualitative hazard assessment made during the
recognition step, particularly the information obtained during the walk-through
survey, should be enough to indicate the need for control measures, regardless
of further quantitative exposure assessment. Priorities for follow-up action
should be established taking into account the severity of the risk and the
number of workers likely to be exposed In such cases, the walk-though survey
will provide enough information to recommend immediate preventive measures, without
the need for measurements.
Hazard identification and recognition
is definitely an essential skill for all workers. And a person doesn’t become
skillful in hazard recognition simply by knowing what hazards are. One has to get
trained to become proficient at this. So,
the first step of training workers for a job role is to help them learn the
basic-level knowledge and skills. Then we can use scenario-based learning and
other forms of training to help them develop the advanced job skills. Scenario
based training can engage the workers and help them fully understand
safety rules and procedures.
USING SCENARIO-BASED TRAINING FOR WORKFORCE
Scenario-based
learning is a way of teaching or practicing a skill using interactive,
problem-based contexts. This strategy usually involves learners working their
way through a problem, which they are expected to solve. In the process,
learners must apply their prior experience, subject knowledge, critical
thinking, and problem solving skills in a risk-free and “close-to real-world”
environment. This allows them to acquire the necessary skills needed to deal
with similar problems at work.
Scenario-based learning programs are based on situations
which your people face every day in their work. For example, if an
employee is working in a workshop with metal objects, the scenarios provided to
him would include contexts such has handling metal sheets, the right way of
servicing knives and blades, etc. These scenarios help the learners
immediately connect to their work and the hazards they might face.
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