The process of identifying and managing hazards is ongoing and is never really finished. The way that hazards are controlled should always be regularly reviewed.
Developments in identifying hazards and risks, and in the technologies and methods for dealing hazards is often improving. We need to ask …”Is there now a better way for managing this hazard?” and “Can this hazard now be eliminated?”
This should be done regularly, at least once a year, and should be done collaboratively, involving all the people that need to be involved.
Recording How Hazards And Risks Are Controlled
All Departments at University of Canterbury should have a Risk Register, which records all of the hazards that cannot be eliminated. Departments which manage the greatest hazards and the biggest risks will have the most comprehensive risk registers.
When a new hazard is identified, these must be reported into Assura as an Safety Observation - Unsafe Condition. Controls will be implemented to eliminate the risk posed by the hazard, and where the risk cannot be eliminated it will be integrated into the Departmental Risk Register. The University also has paper forms for hazard identification and control, which provides a paper based template for reviewing a hazard and the identification of subsequent controls. This should be used in circumstances where reporting into Assura isn’t practical.
A Hazard Risk Assessment and Management document is available for risk assessing a one off or short-term events. It acts as a template to support the identification of multiple hazards that may be present during an event and appropriate controls.
University of Canterbury offers regular training in risk management. If you require assistance with working through hazard identification or risk management contact your Department Safety Officer (staff only) or the Health and Safety Team.
