Risk Assessment and Site Hazard Identification Procedures

Assessment Date: [DATE]

Assessor: [ASSESSOR NAME]

Department/Area: [DEPARTMENT/AREA]

Review Date: [REVIEW DATE]

1. Assessment Scope

This risk assessment covers the systematic identification, evaluation, and control of workplace hazards associated with site hazard identification procedures, task-based risk evaluation, mitigation actions, safe work practices, incident prevention, and compliance with occupational health and safety requirements. It applies to routine operations, non-routine tasks, field-level changes during work, and activities performed on-site or off-site where workers may be exposed to hazards. The assessment includes workers, supervisors, contractors, visitors, and members of the public who may be affected by site activities. It excludes administrative office-only activities that do not involve exposure to operational hazards, and it excludes detailed equipment-specific engineering design reviews unless those items directly affect task safety. The assessment should be used as a living document and updated when work methods, equipment, materials, staffing, or site conditions change. [1] [1] [1]

2. Risk Assessment Methodology

A task-based Job Hazard Analysis and field-level risk assessment approach is used. Work is broken into steps, hazards are identified for each step, and the likelihood and severity of harm are evaluated using a consistent 5x5 matrix. Controls are selected using the hierarchy of controls: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment. The assessment also considers off-site work, unusual foreseeable conditions, changes in equipment or processes, visitor/public exposure, worker competence, and vulnerable worker groups. Field-level reviews are completed before and during work to confirm that current controls remain adequate and to identify new hazards as conditions change. [2] [2] [3]

3. Risk Matrix Reference

The following matrix is used to evaluate risk levels based on likelihood and severity:

		Likelihood
Rare	Unlikely	Possible	Likely	Almost Certain
Severity	Catastrophic	Low	Low	Low	Low	Medium
Major	Low	Low	Medium	Medium	High
Moderate	Low	Medium	Medium	High	High
Minor	Medium	Medium	High	High	Extreme
Negligible	Medium	High	High	Extreme	Extreme

4. Hazard Identification and Risk Evaluation

1. Working alone or with limited supervision during site tasks, including off-site work, deliveries, inspections, or lone field activities.

Potential Consequences: Delayed emergency response, inability to summon help, increased severity of injury or illness, exposure to violence or environmental hazards without immediate assistance. [1]

Affected Persons: Lone workers, drivers, field staff, contractors, and any person who may need emergency assistance.

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Possible	Major	High

Control Measures

• Eliminate lone work where practicable by scheduling tasks with a second person or team-based approach.
• Substitute remote verification or digital inspection methods for physical attendance where feasible.
• Engineering controls such as GPS tracking, panic alarms, two-way radios, and reliable communication devices.
• Administrative controls including lone-worker check-in procedures, permit-to-work authorization, escalation protocols, and defined response times.
• PPE appropriate to the task and environment, such as high-visibility clothing, weather protection, and task-specific protective equipment.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Major	Medium

2. Manual handling of boxes, tools, materials, or equipment during loading, unloading, carrying, pushing, or pulling.

Potential Consequences: Musculoskeletal disorders, strains, sprains, back injuries, dropped loads, foot injuries, and secondary incidents caused by loss of balance or fatigue. [1] [1]

Affected Persons: Workers, helpers, drivers, and nearby persons in the handling area.

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Likely	Moderate	High

Control Measures

• Eliminate unnecessary manual handling by redesigning the task or staging materials closer to the point of use.
• Substitute lighter packages, smaller containers, or mechanical handling aids where possible.
• Engineering controls such as trolleys, pallet jacks, lift tables, hoists, and improved storage layout.
• Administrative controls including manual handling training, load weight limits, team lifts, route planning, and rest breaks.
• PPE such as safety footwear and gloves suitable for grip and abrasion protection.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Possible	Minor	Medium

3. Slips, trips, and falls on the same level caused by wet floors, uneven surfaces, clutter, poor housekeeping, or obstructed walkways.

Potential Consequences: Sprains, fractures, head injury, lost-time incidents, and secondary injuries from falls into equipment or traffic paths.

Affected Persons: Workers, visitors, contractors, and members of the public.

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Likely	Moderate	High

Control Measures

• Eliminate slip and trip sources by removing spills, debris, and unnecessary obstructions immediately.
• Substitute safer floor finishes or temporary walking surfaces where conditions are poor.
• Engineering controls such as anti-slip flooring, drainage, mats, barriers, and improved lighting.
• Administrative controls including housekeeping standards, spill response procedures, designated walkways, and inspection routines.
• PPE such as slip-resistant footwear appropriate to the work environment.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Moderate	Medium

4. Working at height, including ladders, platforms, roofs, elevated work areas, or access equipment.

Potential Consequences: Falls resulting in serious injury, permanent disability, or fatality; dropped objects striking people below. [4] [4]

Affected Persons: Workers at height, workers below, visitors, and the public if the work area is not controlled.

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Possible	Catastrophic	Extreme

Control Measures

• Eliminate work at height by completing tasks from the ground whenever possible.
• Substitute ladders with safer access equipment such as elevating work platforms where appropriate.
• Engineering controls including guardrails, toe boards, fall arrest anchor points, and exclusion zones below.
• Administrative controls such as work-at-height permits, pre-use inspections, rescue planning, competent supervision, and restricted access.
• PPE including fall arrest systems, helmets, high-visibility clothing, and task-specific hand and foot protection.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Major	High

5. Vehicle movement and traffic interaction during deliveries, site access, reversing, loading areas, or work near roads and plant.

Potential Consequences: Struck-by incidents, collisions, crushing injuries, property damage, serious injury, or fatality. [1] [1]

Affected Persons: Drivers, pedestrians, spotters, workers, visitors, and the public.

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Possible	Catastrophic	Extreme

Control Measures

• Eliminate vehicle-pedestrian interaction by separating routes and scheduling deliveries away from peak activity where possible.
• Substitute safer transport methods or smaller vehicles where practical.
• Engineering controls such as physical barriers, marked pedestrian routes, reversing alarms, mirrors, lighting, and segregated loading zones.
• Administrative controls including traffic management plans, speed limits, spotter use, reversing rules, and driver competency requirements.
• PPE such as high-visibility clothing and safety footwear.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Major	High

6. Exposure to hazardous substances, including cleaning chemicals, fuels, dusts, fumes, or process chemicals during handling, mixing, spraying, or cleanup.

Potential Consequences: Skin and eye irritation, burns, respiratory irritation, poisoning, sensitization, fire, or environmental release.

Affected Persons: Workers handling substances, nearby workers, cleaners, maintenance staff, and visitors in affected areas.

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Possible	Major	High

Control Measures

• Eliminate hazardous substances where a safer process or product can be used.
• Substitute less hazardous chemicals, lower-volatility products, or pre-mixed formulations.
• Engineering controls such as closed transfer systems, local exhaust ventilation, splash guards, and secure storage.
• Administrative controls including SDS review, labeling, chemical handling procedures, spill response plans, and restricted access.
• PPE such as chemical-resistant gloves, eye and face protection, protective clothing, and respiratory protection where required by exposure assessment.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Major	High

7. Electrical hazards from damaged cords, exposed conductors, temporary power, portable tools, or work near energized equipment.

Potential Consequences: Electric shock, burns, arc flash injury, fire, equipment damage, and fatality.

Affected Persons: Electricians, maintenance workers, operators, contractors, and anyone in the vicinity.

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Catastrophic	High

Control Measures

• Eliminate exposure by de-energizing equipment before work begins whenever possible.
• Substitute battery-powered or low-voltage tools where suitable.
• Engineering controls such as guarding, insulation, GFCI protection, lockout/tagout, and equipment maintenance.
• Administrative controls including authorization, competency requirements, inspection of cords and tools, and energized-work restrictions.
• PPE such as arc-rated clothing, insulated gloves, eye and face protection, and dielectric footwear where required.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Rare	Catastrophic	High

8. Fatigue, stress, and reduced alertness caused by long hours, shift work, inadequate rest, or high workload.

Potential Consequences: Reduced concentration, errors, poor judgment, increased incident likelihood, vehicle collisions, and aggravation of health conditions.

Affected Persons: All workers, especially drivers, field staff, and workers on extended shifts.

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Likely	Moderate	High

Control Measures

• Eliminate excessive overtime and unnecessary extended shifts where possible.
• Substitute task sequencing to reduce peak workload and high-risk work during fatigue-prone periods.
• Engineering controls such as automation, scheduling software, and ergonomic task design to reduce strain.
• Administrative controls including work-rest scheduling, fatigue reporting, supervision, and fitness-for-duty checks.
• PPE is not a primary control, but task-specific PPE must still be used where required.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Possible	Minor	Medium

9. Weather, environmental, and visibility-related hazards such as rain, ice, heat, wind, poor lighting, or severe climate events.

Potential Consequences: Slips, heat stress, cold stress, reduced visibility, loss of control of vehicles or equipment, and delayed emergency response.

Affected Persons: Outdoor workers, drivers, supervisors, contractors, and visitors.

Initial Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Possible	Major	High

Control Measures

• Eliminate exposure by postponing non-essential outdoor work during severe conditions.
• Substitute indoor or sheltered work methods where feasible.
• Engineering controls such as lighting, shelters, drainage, shade, heating, and weather-resistant access surfaces.
• Administrative controls including weather monitoring, stop-work criteria, emergency communications, and adjusted schedules.
• PPE such as thermal clothing, rain gear, sun protection, and high-visibility garments appropriate to conditions.

Residual Risk Assessment

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Rating
Unlikely	Moderate	Medium

5. General Control Measures

• Implement a formal hazard identification process before work begins and repeat it when conditions change.

Use task breakdowns, worker input, site walk-throughs, and field-level reviews to identify hazards in real time and confirm controls remain effective. [2] [3]

• Apply the hierarchy of controls before relying on PPE.

Prioritize elimination, substitution, engineering controls, and administrative controls before selecting PPE as the final layer of protection. [2] [7]

• Involve workers in hazard assessment, control selection, and safe work procedure development.

Consult employees who perform the work, review task steps with them, and incorporate practical controls they identify to improve acceptance and compliance. [10] [5]

• Maintain regular inspections and update the assessment when equipment, materials, or work processes change.

Conduct periodic workplace inspections, document findings, and reassess hazards after incidents, near misses, or operational changes. [6] [10]

• Ensure PPE selection is hazard-specific, documented, and supported by training and inspection.

Match PPE to the hazard, train workers on correct use and limitations, inspect PPE regularly, and remove damaged items from service. [8] [7]

6. Emergency Preparedness

• Establish clear emergency communication and escalation procedures for lone workers, field staff, and off-site personnel so that help can be summoned quickly if an incident occurs. [1]
• Develop rescue and response arrangements for work at height, vehicle incidents, chemical exposure, electrical incidents, and severe weather events, including site-specific first aid and evacuation routes. [4] [1]
• Provide spill response materials, eyewash or decontamination arrangements where chemicals are used, and procedures for isolating affected areas and notifying supervisors. [9]
• Ensure incident reporting, scene preservation where appropriate, and immediate control of secondary hazards such as traffic, energized equipment, or falling objects. [3]
• Test emergency procedures through drills or briefings so workers understand their roles, evacuation routes, and rescue limitations before work starts. [4]

7. Training Requirements

• Hazard Identification and Job Hazard Analysis Training: Workers and supervisors must be trained to break work into steps, identify hazards, evaluate likelihood and severity, and recommend controls. Training should emphasize active worker participation, recognition of changing conditions, and the need to stop and reassess when new hazards appear. [3] [2]
  • Task breakdown and observation techniques
  • How to identify obvious and hidden hazards
  • How to escalate concerns and request reassessment
• Hierarchy of Controls and Safe Work Practices: Workers must understand how to apply the hierarchy of controls and why PPE is the last line of defense. Training should cover elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and correct work methods for the task. [2] [3]
  • Use safer methods before PPE
  • Do not bypass guards or safety devices
  • Follow written safe work procedures
• PPE Selection, Use, and Limitations: Employees must be trained on the PPE required for their tasks, how to wear and maintain it, and the limitations of the equipment. Training should be documented and refreshed when hazards or PPE requirements change. [7] [7]
  • Correct fit and adjustment
  • Inspection before use
  • Removal of damaged PPE from service
• Emergency Response and Incident Reporting: Workers must be trained on emergency alarms, communication methods, evacuation routes, first aid reporting, spill response, rescue limitations, and when to stop work and seek assistance. Training should include site-specific scenarios such as lone work, severe weather, and vehicle incidents. [4] [2]
  • Raise the alarm immediately
  • Protect yourself before assisting others
  • Report near misses and unsafe conditions
• Supervisor and Competency Training: Supervisors must be trained to verify competency, enforce controls, conduct field-level reviews, and ensure that changing conditions trigger a new briefing or reassessment. Competency-based training is especially important for inexperienced workers and workers exposed to higher-risk tasks. [1] [1]
  • Pre-job briefing responsibilities
  • Competency verification
  • Change management and stop-work authority

8. Monitoring and Review

Review Frequency: Annually, and immediately after incidents, near misses, significant process changes, new equipment introduction, or changes in site conditions or work methods.

Monitoring Type	Frequency	Responsible Party	Description
Regular Inspection	Daily before work and continuously during field activities	Supervisors and task leaders	Inspect the work area, equipment, access routes, and environmental conditions before starting work and whenever conditions change. Confirm that controls remain in place and that new hazards have not developed. [2]
Workplace Inspection	Quarterly and after significant changes	Trained safety personnel and supervisors	Conduct documented inspections to verify that hazards have been eliminated or controlled, identify new hazards, and confirm that changes in equipment, materials, or processes have not introduced additional risk. [6]
PPE Program Review	At least annually and after any incident or change in hazard exposure	Safety manager and supervisors	Review whether PPE remains appropriate for the hazards, whether workers are using it correctly, whether training is current, and whether damaged PPE is being removed from service. [7] [10]
Incident and Near-Miss Trend Review	Monthly	Management and safety committee	Review incidents, near misses, and unsafe observations to identify recurring hazards, control failures, and opportunities for improvement. Use findings to update procedures and training. [5]
Field-Level Risk Reassessment	Before non-routine tasks and whenever conditions change	Crew leader or competent supervisor	Reassess hazards when weather, staffing, equipment condition, site access, or task sequence changes. Pause work if current controls are no longer adequate and implement additional measures before continuing. [3] [1]

9. Special Circumstances

• Weather conditions such as rain, ice, heat, wind, lightning, or poor visibility can increase slip, vehicle, and environmental exposure risks and may require work stoppage or additional controls. [3] [1]
• Night work or reduced-light conditions increase the likelihood of vehicle strikes, slips, trips, and errors in hazard recognition, so lighting and supervision must be enhanced. [1]
• Lone work, remote work, and off-site work require stronger communication, check-in, and emergency response arrangements because immediate assistance may not be available. [1]
• New, young, inexperienced, disabled, or expectant workers may face different levels of risk and may require modified duties, closer supervision, or additional training. [1]
• Changes in equipment, materials, or work processes require immediate reassessment because new hazards may be introduced and existing controls may no longer be adequate. [6]

Approval and Sign-off

This risk assessment has been reviewed and approved by:

Assessor: _________________________ Date: __________

Manager/Supervisor: _________________________ Date: __________

Safety Representative: _________________________ Date: __________

This risk assessment must be reviewed annually, and immediately after incidents, near misses, significant process changes, new equipment introduction, or changes in site conditions or work methods. or when significant changes occur.

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