Hazard Identification Booklet - Guidelines

The University and all staff have a legal obligation to keep the workplace safe.

Supervisors at the University have a particular delegated responsibility to ensure that hazards are identified and controlled.

The supervisor begins by ensuring that the hazards in his/her workplace are identified.

The next step is to gather information about each particular hazard and determine the level of risk associated with it. This lets the supervisor determine the work priority involved in controlling the risks - highest risks must be controlled first.

The best way to control a risk is to eliminate the hazard wherever possible.

The hierarchy of control measures in the “Hazard Identification Risk Assessment and Control” booklet provides further information about possible control measures and is available for guidance.

When the control measures have been implemented they must then be reviewed to ensure that they have been effective in controlling the hazard.

Hazard identification must be carried out:

• Before and during the introduction of new plant, equipment, chemical or other item to the workplace;
• Where there is likely to be a risk to health or safety involved, before and during any:
  • Alteration to the plant, equipment, workplace;
  • Change to the way the plant, equipment or an area is used;
  • Change to the work system; and,
  • Change in location of the plant, equipment or people.
• If new or additional health or safety information associated with the plant, equipment, chemical or other item or its work system becomes available.

Last revised:7 August 2006