Procedural Approach to Identifying the Significant Hazards

Introduction

What are the steps for identifying the Significant Hazards at the workplace? They depend on the industry in which the assessment is being done. For example, the hazards involved in the manufacturing sector could be different from those in the automotive, construction, aerospace, and other industries. The first step is to conduct a complete inspection of the site in which the workforce is located during the working hours. It could be within the working plant or around it.

Manufacturing Hazards – Mechanical and Chemical

Identifying the Significant Hazards that are associated with machinery, equipment, installations, tools, and related accessories are related to mechanical hazards. For example, you could consider the following as some of the most significant ones.

· Machinery and parts

· Hydraulic pumps

· Heaters

· Boilers

· Pressure pumps

· Cranes and trolleys

· Welding and cutting equipment

· Electrical installations and cables  etc

Chemical hazards in the manufacturing unit could be from the elements that may belong to

· Laboratories

· Storage units

· Dyeing machines

· Processing machines etc

The chemical hazards can also be in the form of gasses that may include

· Natural gas

· Methane

· Medical gas etc

Exposure to mechanical hazards can result in immediate physical damages that may result in injuries, fractures, disability or death. Exposure to chemicals can have short term and long term disabilities. In many cases, the impact may not be felt immediately. But it can grow consistently within the internal organs before exploding into critical or chronic conditions.  

Aerospace Hazards – Serious Risks of Damage

The aerospace industry comes with its own package of hazards that may start with a lightning strike and extend up to engine failure, fire, ice and snow, chemical, fuels, and gasses, etc. The first step is to identify all the possible hazards in a proactive manner. Some of the involved procedures could be as follow.

· Inspection and investigation

· Historical analysis (previous hazard incidents)

· Identification of precursors  

· Diagnostic approach

· Future hazard predictions

The key aspects of aerospace hazards are from the design and construction perspectives. They could include the CNC machines used for

· Cutting

· Simulation control

· Turning

· Component and part manufacturing

· Machining and drilling

· Welding and fabrications etc

Besides, the aircraft can also be potential sources of hazards for the pilots during the test and real-time flights. The engineering team from the manufacturing unit will take the task of identifying all the possible hazards. Detailed documentation related to Identifying the Significant Hazards is very important for taking preventive actions.

Automotive Hazards – Preventive Actions are Critical

Performing the manual tasks that may include servicing, washing, part repair, and replacement, working with aerosols and chemicals, and using unsafe equipment will be the most risk-prone hazards. Some of the other parts could include

· Slippery floors

· Risk prone rails, platforms, and ladders

· Noise and electrical hazards

· Compressors and gas tanks etc

Conclusion

The process of identifying the Significant Hazards is the first step to taking the preventive steps for ensuring the safety and security of the workers according to OSHA standards.