Risk assessments made easy Phillip Crisp Eco Solve

Risk assessments made easy! Phillip Crisp Eco. Solve Australia Pty Ltd

Advantages of risk assessments • reduced frequency of injuries to students to school staff • reduced costs for paperwork, litigation and payouts • compliance with the law (c. f. industry) • helps maintain variety of chemicals and equipment

Advantages of a formalised system • ensures proper consideration of risks and control measures • standardisation within school-board area • storage of records for legal purposes • communication between teachers and science technicians

Is it practical? Paper-based system NO (almost) Electronic system YES

Paper-based system • time consuming • unwieldy forms many prompts - mostly empty space few prompts - requires knowledge & skill • non-searchable • difficult to update • storage problems

Electronic system • relatively rapid • prompts sensitive to context • reduces paper consumption • easy to review and update • easy monitoring • easy storage • demonstrated to work in schools (e. g. 650 schools in AU&NZ)

Risk. Assess • web-based risk assessment tool • customised to the school situation • provides electronic templates (CA/ISO) database information on risks (chemical, equipment, biological) equipment ordering lab scheduling • easy sharing of experiment templates for customisation

Logic • separate sections for teacher and science technician • initial assessment of inherent risk if low, go to end if medium or more, record control measures if high or extreme, third reviewer required • cross-checking by teacher/scitech/reviewer • scheduling and ordering system to save time • inexpensive ($160 per school per year)

Details • access from school/home • nothing to install on computer (instant update) • unlimited number of simultaneous users and risk assessments (virtually) • minimal data entry • complements MSDS/SDS • student subscriptions, if desired • continuing input from science staff • multiple backups of data & backup server • support and advice

Summary of benefits • safer laboratories • better communication • meets legal requirements • reduced costs • happy teachers and sci techs!

Occupational Health and Safety Code 2009 An employer must assess a work site and identify existing and potential hazards before work begins at the work site. . . must prepare a report of the results of a hazard assessment and the methods used to control or eliminate the hazards identified. . . must ensure that the date on which the hazard assessment is prepared or revised is recorded on it. . . must ensure that the hazard assessment is repeated at reasonably practicable intervals to prevent the development of unsafe and unhealthy working conditions. . . Part 2 7(1)-7(4)

You should: • identify • assess • control risks Before: Establish the context After: Monitor and review Always: Consult and communicate

Risk identification • history of “accidents” and “near-accidents” at school at similar schools • brainstorming, preferably with friends • checklists of possible risks

Risk assessment To assess the severity of a risk, you need to consider: • the consequences of the event, and • the chance that it will occur (likelihood) CAS ISO 31000: 2009 “Risk management” HB 436: 2004 “Risk management guidelines”

Risk matrix Code Consequences Minor Likelihood Likely ? Severe x OK = acceptable risk ? = doubtful CONSIDER THE OPTIONS Unlikely OK ? ? x = unacceptable risk DON’T DO IT!

Risk control Hierarchy of options: elimination substitution isolation engineering administration personal protective equipment

Written procedure Equipment Potential hazards Standard operating procedure Manufacturer instructions EXPERIMENT Materials Potential hazards Standard handling procedure or ACTIVITY User instructions RISK ASSESSMENT Chemicals Potential hazards Standard handling procedure MSDS Living organisms Potential hazards Standard handling procedure KEY People Potential hazards Component risk assessment Standard handling procedure Overall risk assessment

Multi-level scale of consequences • Level 1 : first aid treatment at the school (Minor) • Level 2: treatment by a doctor (Moderate) • Level 3: immediate hospitalization (Severe)

Multi-level scale of likelihood • Level 1: known to commonly occur; not unexpected in the class (Likely) • Level 2: uncommon, rare, but sufficiently frequent to have been witnessed by self or a known person (Unlikely) • Level 3: very rare; have heard of it happening; may possibly have been witnessed by self or a known person (Very unlikely)

Risk matrix Consequences Minor Likely OK Moderate x Code Severe x OK = acceptable risk (low risk) ? = doubtful Likelihood CONSIDER OTHER OPTIONS Unlikely OK ? x ? ? = very doubtful Either DON’T DO IT or PROCEED WITH GREAT CARE Very unlikely OK OK ? ? x = unacceptable risk DON’T DO IT!