Example of a format for risk assessments and action plans

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Appendix D
Example of a format for risk assessments and action plans
1. Introduction
1.1. Risk assessment is the process whereby any hazards which have been
identified are assessed for the likelihood that they could cause adverse health outcomes
to the workers exposed to the hazards.
1.2. Risk assessments should be carried out before commencing any new work,
and should be repeated periodically, particularly whenever there are changes to existing
work procedures, equipment or materials. They should be carried out jointly by
management and supervisors, the workers and their representatives and, whenever
necessary, with the assistance of technical specialists and occupational health
professionals.
1.3. In addition to an appropriate choice of technology, built-in safety and good
engineering practice, management and housekeeping, risk assessment is a basis upon
which appropriate control measures, including safe work practices, should be developed
in order to protect workers’ health. Risk assessment should be part of the policy and
arrangements in the field of occupational safety and health that the employer should
adopt, set out in writing and bring to the notice of every worker.
2. Example of a format for risk assessment and action plans
2.1. Risk assessments concerning work with insulation wools should be carried
out according to various procedures, which may include risk assessment forms.
2.2. A number of steps can be identified in the risk assessment procedure, in
particular:
(i) recording factual information on the work carried out: site, work area, description
of tasks;
(i) assessing occupational hazards present, or which could be present, at the workplace
(e.g. during maintenance work), including consideration of classifications and
review of relevant material safety data sheets;1
(ii) recording existing work practices and control measures in a systematic manner,
including remarks concerning their efficiency or qualit y, as appropriate;
(iii) assessing exposures: likelihood of exposures on the basis of measurements at the
workplace or of extrapolations, and comparison with exposure limits; estimation of
1 Material safety data sheets, together with labelling, are tools for hazard communication essential to
carry out preventive action and to protect workers’ health and safety, as well as to provide reliable
information for a timely and appropriate response to accidents (first aid, emergency response).

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