Workplace Risk Assessment: Analysis and Evaluation
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Risk Evaluation and Assessment
Risk assessment is a process to detect and estimate the magnitude of all enterprise risks, identify those that can be removed, and act on those that cannot be avoided. The assessment provides information to make appropriate decisions, identifying the need for preventive measures and selecting the most suitable ones. To perform a risk assessment, a systematic analysis of all aspects of the workplace is needed, taking into account:
- The nature of the company's activity.
- The characteristics and number of exposed workers.
The risk assessment includes the analysis and evaluation of risk.
Risk Analysis
Risk analysis consists of the following phases:
- Identifying the Hazard: A hazard is understood as any source of injury, damage to property, or the environment, or a combination of both. For a better view, a hazard map should be developed, noting the company's plans and the places where there is a risk of damage, indicating the type.
- Describe the Risk: Specify the resulting damage and the events that occur from the start until the accident materializes.
- Estimate Risk: This study covers:
- The probability that the damage occurs, which is estimated as:
- HIGH: Always or almost always occurs.
- MEDIUM: Sometimes occurs.
- LOW: Rarely occurs.
- The severity of the consequences.
- The number of workers at risk and their exposure time.
Also, consider the possibility that a worker is especially sensitive due to their personal characteristics or biological status.
- The probability that the damage occurs, which is estimated as:
Risk Assessment
Risk assessment is to express an opinion on the tolerability of the risk, based on previous studies. When determining the existence of a risk, consider first if the risk can be eliminated, i.e., if it is possible to remove the danger. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health at Work (INSHT) offers the following categories to estimate and assess risk:
Once the risk is estimated, use the following table based on the value provided by INSHT:
Risk Assessment | Action and Timing |
Trivial (T) | No specific action is required. |
Tolerable (TO) | No action is needed to improve prevention. However, consider more cost-effective solutions or improvements that do not pose a significant financial burden. Periodic checks are required to ensure the effectiveness of control measures. |
Moderate (MO) | Efforts should be made to reduce the risk, determining precise measures. Investments to reduce risk should be implemented over a set period. When moderate risk is associated with extremely harmful consequences, further action is required to establish more accurately the probability of harm, which will be the basis for determining the need for improved control measures. |
Important (I) | Work should not begin until the risk has been reduced. Considerable resources may be required to control the risk. When work is being performed, the problem should be remedied in time to reduce the risk to moderate. |
Intolerable (IN) | Work should not start or continue until the risk is reduced. If it cannot be reduced even with unlimited resources, work should be prohibited. |
When should risk assessments be done? Risk assessments must be done before the start of business and be reviewed and updated periodically. Additionally, specific assessments should be carried out in the following cases: with the incorporation of new technologies, new working conditions, equipment, machines, or tools; when damage to the health of workers occurs; when new or particularly sensitive workers are hired, such as minors, pregnant women, or workers hired through a temporary employment agency.
Who Performs the Risk Assessment?
It must be performed by qualified personnel, with the participation of all relevant persons in the workplace: supervisors, workers, or their representatives. They can describe the different phases of operations, indicate the possibility of shortcuts, and how to solve difficult situations. Workers can also indicate dangerous elements that, by their nature, are difficult to detect, for example, if the pace is too fast and causes stress, if they are forced to adopt awkward positions or perform repetitive movements, which increases the risk of suffering pain or injury, etc.