CONTROLLING RISK ON THE FARM

A performance-based approach to safety in the workplace means farmers need to take preventative action to reduce hazards and avoid injuries to workers. Carrying out on-farm risk assessments is vital, particularly in light of strict legislation being enforced Australia wide.

Occupational Safety & Health regulatory authorities can enter and inspect workplaces, usually following a death or serious injury. But they also target workplaces pro-actively to ensure workplaces are safe.
Current occupation Safety & Health legislation in Australia takes a performance or risk –based approach.

CODES OF PRACTICE

Performance or risk-based regulations work by setting broad goals. Practical guidance in achieving these goals is offered by approved industry codes of practice. While employers can adopt other means to achieve the goals, they need to be as effective as those recommended in the codes of practice and based on a risk assessment. Codes of Practice can be down loaded form www.safetyline.wa.gov.au

ENSURING A SAFE WORKPLACE

Employers are responsible for safety in the workplace, that is, enduring it is a safe place to work. The key is to control risks by designing out the hazards in the workplace rather than modifying worker behavior.

Consequently, responsibility for the safe workplace extends along the chain to suppliers, manufactures and designers. Workers are given very little responsibility.

DUTY OF CARE

From a practical standpoint, it is always best to be guided by the codes of practice and any relevant standards, they represent best practice and collective expertise in the area.

Following these guidelines is the best assurance an employer is exercising their required duty of care. Maintain current, comprehensive and accurate records of what procedures are in place and activities carried out.

MANAGING RISK

The five stage process to managing all risks to health & safety is:

1. Identify the hazards.

2. Assess the risk posed by the hazard identification.

3. Implement risk control measures.

4. Record risk control measures.

5. Review risk control measures.

The first step in assessing risk is to prepare a hazard checklist.

IDENTIFYING HAZARDS

A hazard is anything that might cause injury or illness in the workplace. Hazards can be identified by observation, communicating with workers, records of accidents, near misses, maintenance and repairs, audits and inspections, codes of practice, operator manuals for machinery and labels and material safety data sheets for chemicals.

Checklists are useful for identifying hazards; these checklists can be prepared by government agencies or industry bodies or by individuals. Always ensure the checklist is relevant to the workplace.

ASSESSING RISKS

Not all hazards will result in risks. To assess whether or not there is a significant risk determine how likely it is that the hazard would result in injury or harm and the type of injury.

In diagram 1 it classifies the hazard in terms of the likelihood of an incident occurring and the severity of injuries.

Risk tables are not exact tools but they identify both the low and high risks areas. Low risk areas can be ignored but high risk areas need to be made priorities.

CONTROLLING RISK

A range of measures can be used to control the risks. In order of importance, these are elimination (cease to use the hazardous process, plant or substance), substitution (using less hazardous processes, plant or substance); Isolation (providing a barrier between the person and the hazard); engineering control (work practices, training, supervision); and using personal protective equipment.
The controls are applied to those risks given highest priority in the risk assessment and to those factors most contributing to the high priority risks.

See diagram 2.

RECORDING RISK ASSESSMENT

Risks assessments will usually result in a range of control measures and usually include safe work practices and PPE. Write these as standard operating procedures to ensure they are followed. Forms can be developed to create a whole system for a farm.

Forms can include hazard identification; risk assessments for equipment and contract work; registers for induction, occupational safety and health committee or representative training; content outlined for induction training and on the job training; injury report forms and return to work plans; incident report forms notifying State regulatory authorities of death or serious injury that has occurred in the workplace.

REVIEW RISK CONTROL MEASURES

It is important to identify what is needed to ensure a safe workplace, and then develop an annual action plan. This involves setting priorities, scheduling items for action and recording whether or not they have been carried out and on time.

Even if nothing adverse has happened on farm, do not assume that all is satisfactory.

To ensure a safe workplace, actively look for what might go wrong and respond to potential risks.

Macao Integrated Management Systems (MIMS) can help you implement an effective risks assessment plan and employee induction package to suit you and your farm.

If you require assistance please contact either Sue 0417 909 679 or Robin 0408 866 608 or email admin@mimssystems.com