Hazard recognition is one of the most critical aspects of occupational safety. “One of the ‘root causes’ of workplace injuries, illnesses, and incidents is the failure to identify or recognize hazards that are present, or that could have been anticipated.”
The recognition of hazards involves the study of work processes, to identify possible factors that may pose health and safety hazards. This is a fundamental step in the practice of occupational hygiene. Hazards that are not recognized will be neither evaluated nor controlled.
Recognition requires basic background information. But to apply it in the workplace requires a systematic approach, consisting of gathering of information and a workplace survey, not necessarily involving measurement. However, a quantitative evaluation of the risks and of the necessary control measures may then be needed.
The steps for adequate hazard recognition are: ·
Initial collection of information on the process in question and potential associated hazards, from the literature and/or previous surveys, if any;The actual visit to the workplace for detailed observation (usually referred to as a “walkthrough” survey); and, ·Subsequent analysis of the observations.The first step is the collection of information to optimize the actual observations. In order to avoid overlooking potential hazards during the walk-through survey, it is important to make a record of these observations.
The collection of information about hazards will continue during the walk-through survey. However, the walk-through survey will also review how materials are being used, what potential hazards exist, what control measures (if any) are in place and the degree to which these appear to be performing effectively.
Whenever hazards are evident and serious, the qualitative hazard assessment made during the recognition step, particularly the information obtained during the walk-through survey, should be enough to indicate the need for control measures, regardless of further quantitative exposure assessment. Priorities for follow-up action should be established taking into account the severity of the risk and the number of workers likely to be exposed In such cases, the walk-through survey will provide enough information to recommend immediate preventive measures, without the need for measurements.
Hazard identification and recognition is definitely an essential skill for all workers. And a person doesn’t become skillful in hazard recognition simply by knowing what hazards are. One has to get trained to become proficient at this. So, the first step of training workers for a job role is to help them learn the basic-level knowledge and skills. Then we can use scenario-based learning and other forms of training to help them develop advanced job skills. Scenario-based training can engage the workers and help them fully understand safety rules and procedures.
USING SCENARIO-BASED TRAINING FOR WORKFORCE
Scenario-based learning is a way of teaching or practicing a skill using interactive, problem-based contexts. This strategy usually involves learners working their way through a problem, which they are expected to solve. In the process, learners must apply their prior experience, subject knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in a risk-free and “close-to real-world” environment. This allows them to acquire the necessary skills needed to deal with similar problems at work.
Scenario-based learning programs are based on situations that your people face every day in their work. For example, if an employee is working in a workshop with metal objects, the scenarios provided to him would include contexts such has handling metal sheets, the right way of servicing knives and blades, etc. These scenarios help the learners immediately connect to their work and the hazards they might face.
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