Standardized WHS Hazard/Risk Levels

This document provides information about the standardized WHS hazard and risk levels in construction work. It discusses potential causes, impacts, and likelihood of various hazards. It also explains how to evaluate and assess risks to maintain safety at the workplace.

STANDARDIZED WHS HAZARD / RISK LEVELS
STANDARDIZED WHS HAZARD / RISK LEVELS
Riad Al-Alami

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INTRODUCTION:
Construction work can be defined as any work that is carried out involving construction,
maintenance, demolition, renovation, dismantling conversion and fitting-out of any structure1.
WHS define structure as anything made by construction which can be fixed or movable,
temporary or permanent such as building, towers and much more. Due to conducting a work that
involves heavy elements and work pressure it is considered as a high risk profession2. Therefore,
it is the responsibility of the site owner and the construction company working on the site. The
report provides a standardized WHS hazards and the risk associated with it. The report can be
used as a guideline by any company to standardize activity risk levels across its core business.
1 Fauzey, Ily Hanisah Mohd, Fatemeh Nateghi, Farahbod Mohammadi, and Faridah Ismail. "Emergent occupational
safety & health and environmental issues of demolition work: Towards public environment." Procedia-Social and
Behavioral Sciences 168 (2015): 41-51.
2 Kim, Jeong Tai, and Chuck WF Yu. "Hazardous materials in buildings." Indoor and Built Environment 23, no. 1
(2014): 44-61.

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Hazard identification:
Potential
cause
Hazard task Impact Likeliness
1. General Hoarding The temporary wooden
fence around a building is
important. It is important
to use hoardings to
barricade the worksite in
order to maintain safety. It
is not only to protect the
public from danger but
also from dangers that
occurs in the site. The
hoardings should not be
less than 1800mm in
height. It should be
designed accordingly.
 Injuries
 Deaths
 Accidents
 Minor
physical
injuries
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Overhead
Protection
Falling objects which will
be used in the overhead
protection. Since there are
open structures that are
present in the working
 Accidents
 Minor and
major
physical
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site, tools and materials
may fall accidently. This
may cause great hazards
which can be protected by
using overhead protection.
injuries
 Deaths
Public
safety
Adequate health and
safety precautions are
important or they put
employees, workers and
pubic at risk. Employers
must ensure by the section
3 of health and safety at
work Act 1974 to maintain
safety at the workplace.
Work area
separation
Providing appropriate
signage and site separation
around the work area.
Physical injury or
loss of lives
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2. General Work
Area
Leads It is a very crucial problem
if the chemical problems
are not taken care. They
are found in form of dusts,
fumes and fibers.
Therefore, they are acutely
Health related
problem
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minor yet can cause
serious harm
Safety Gear Safety glasses or face
shield are manily worn
during the work operation
that may cause any
unwanted object to get in
the eye. It is specially eyes
and face protectors that are
most vital along with other
protectors.
 Loss of
eyesight
 eye
disease
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Rubbish Rubbish includes various
things however they are
only the wastages that are
taken out from the
construction site. Treated
wood, glass, plastics that
contains dangerous
subtances. This are waste
yet can cause of hazards as
they also include metals
containing dangerous
substances.
Health problems 2

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Materials Asbestos, material and
manual handling, hand
arm vibration syndrome,
moving object and many
more fall under this
category. It is not
specifically the materials
but the type of materials
that are harmful and are
able to cause dangerous
accidents.
3. Scaffolding Frames Frames are used to reach
the height of the
construction project. The
frame accidents can cause
death as well. It is
important for the
employers to ensure
frames are tightly fixed.
Physical injury or
loss of lives
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Kwikstage The potential hazards that
can be caused by
Kwikstage are fall (from
height), collapse of trench
Physical injury
and loss of lives
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or scaffold and many
more. Failure to use
appropriately any measure
will lead to accidents.
Loading Loading is big cause of
hazards since construction
site require lifting often.
Any improper lifting may
lead to accidents. Bulky
loads not taken care
appropriately will lead to
accidents. Any forms of
insufficient environment
may encourage accidents
such as lighting, floors,
steps or access.
Physical injury 3
Planks Planks can be very
dangerous if used without
safety ideas. An
overloaded planks with no
safe access for workers
can lead to dangerous
accidents.
Physical injury 2

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Shade
Cloth/Mesh
Shade cloths and mesh has
to be checked again to be
sure they are reliable. It is
a common source of
accident since people tend
to use the same mesh for
long time.
Physical injury 2
4. Power Tool Explosive
Power tools
Explosive power tools are
the most dangerous. Fire
extinguisher, acids,
chemical objects, power
tools and flammable
objects are risky and prone
to cause big accidents.
Loss of lives 1
Small Tools Small tools are minor yet
they are hazardous. For
this aspect, there is need to
take the safety gears
appropriately.
Minor injuries 3
Leads It is a very crucial problem
if the chemical problems
are not taken care. They
are found in form of dusts,
Loss of lives 2

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fumes and fibers.
Therefore, they are acutely
minor yet can cause
serious harm
5. Materials
handling
equipment
Operators Physical accidents 2
Machine Machines such as drill
machine, Crain, or any
equipment should be
checked and have regular
service in order to avoid
any accidents. They are
capable of occurring
massive disaster.
accidents 2
6. Rubbish Rubbish includes various
things however they are
only the wastages that are
taken out from the
construction site. Treated
wood, glass, plastics that
contains dangerous
substances. This are waste
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yet can cause of hazards as
they also include metals
containing dangerous
substances.
7. Penetrations Health related problems
are mostly occurred by
penetration. Areas to be
penetrated should be
investigated and showed
in the drawing.
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EVALUATION OF THE HAZARDS:
RISK ASSESSMENT MATRIX
The risk matrix which is also referred to as risk rating matrix or the risk analysis matrix is a risk
a temperate which focuses on two aspects of:
i) Severity; which is the impact of a a risk and also the negative effects which will
result if the risk occurs.
ii) Likelihood refers to the probability of the risk taking place.
To place a risk in the risk assessment matrix, assign a rating to its severity and likelihood.
Severity:
Insignificant: This refers to the risks which have no real negative effect or the impacts posed by such
risks are not of great significance to the project.
Minor: This are risks which have a small negative impacts on the projects and they don’t have a
significant impact on the success of the project.
Moderate: Risks that could potentially bring negative consequences, posing a moderate threat to the
project.
Critical: Risks with substantial negative consequences that will seriously impact the success of the
project.
Catastrophic: Risks with extreme negative consequences that could cause the entire project to fail or
severely impact daily operations of the project. These are the highest-priority risks to address.
Likelihood:

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Unlikely: Extremely rare risks, with almost no probability of occurring.
Seldom: Risks that are relatively uncommon, but have a small chance of manifesting.
Occasional: Risks that are more typical, with about a 50/50 chance of taking place.
Likely: Risks that are highly likely to occur.
Definite: Risks that are almost certain to manifest. Address these risks first.

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LIKELINESS H(3) ● Overhead
protection
● Small
tools
● Rubbish
● ● Loading ● Leads
● Safety
gear
●
M(2) ● Shades
cloths/ mesh
● ● Rubbish
● Planks
● Operations
● Work
area
separa
● Leads
● Mach
L (1) ● kwikstage ● ● Penetration ● Hoard
● Frame
● Explo
powe

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tools
L (1) M (2) H (3)
IMPACT
SEVERITY AND CONTINGENCY PLAN
Hazard type Severity contingency
Breakdown of hoarding Significant of hoarding is
important however it can
cause tremendous hazarders
on construction site. It has the
potential to cause loss of lives
as well.
Hoarding arrangements should
be done appropriately. All
building materials should be
handled and stored within the
hoarded area. The hoarding
must be checked with
appropriately to avoid any
breakdown. Usage of any
damaged tools or fixture should
be avoided.
Falling objects Falling objects can cause
dangerous. It has the
possibility to cause several
hazards and therefore, there is
need for the site management
The construction workers and
members need to be protected
from such hazards as it is not
possible to predict the possible
impact. There should be use of

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to take care of the issue. covered walkways or suitable
netting that would protect from
the falling object. Waste
materials should be brought
down instead of throwing from
down. Hard hats should be
made compulsory for the reason
it can protect from any damage.
Accident prone area The accident prone areas
should be avoided at every
cost. The accident prone areas
can lead to accidents that can
either be sever or minor.
However it is an area to be
taken care of.
Information regarding the work
areas should be known to
everyone. Workers must be
aware and alert regarding the
areas highly prone to accidents.
Workers should be provided
with guidance for every places
and practice of good walking
should be adopted by workers
as well. the leaders should be
able to guide the workers
2. General work areas
Physical health issue Any works causing health
hazards are of high risk.
Therefore, it is not to be taken
Leads are highly hazardous
object. It requires special care
while usage. Usage of leads

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lightly. should be done while wearing
safety measures such as masks
and gloves.
Eye damage The hazards causing the eye
damage is a sever issue. The
construction site is often
involves works that can cause
high risk of losing eyesight.
There is a need for the workers
to wear the safety gears to
protect the eyes. Where there is
too many dust and chemicals, it
is highly recommendable to
wear the safety gears.
Physical health issues Rubbish can also cause health
problems for the amount of
chemicals and the exposure to
the chemicals. There should be
safety gears and gloves.
3. Scaffold
Fall from height When scaffolds are not
erected properly, there is high
chance of fall hazards.
Protecting workers from
scaffold related accidents
should be given more priority
Scaffolds must be checked and
should be sound, rigid, and
sufficient enough for carry
load. The scaffolds should be
fixed following the guidelines.
The load should be measured

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as it is mostly due to lack of
concern.
before so it does not end up
more than the capability.
Scaffold accessories should be
checked and any damaged or
faulted items should be
avoided. Employees must be
instructed about the hazards and
the safety measures they can
take. Use of ladder and
stairwells should be made for
better usage.
Fall from height Scaffolds must be checked and
should be sound, rigid, and
sufficient enough for carry
load. The scaffolds should be
fixed following the guidelines.
The load should be measured
before so it does not end up
more than the capability.
Scaffold accessories should be
checked and any damaged or
faulted items should be
avoided. Employees must be

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instructed about the hazards and
the safety measures they can
take. Use of ladder and
stairwells should be made for
better usage.
Accidents and physical
injury
Information should be provided
to all the workers. Workers
should be given proper
guidelines that would be helpful
for them to follow and avoid
such issues.
Physical injury Any works causing health
hazards are of high risk.
Therefore, it is not to be taken
lightly.
The work should be done while
wearing safety measures such
as masks and gloves.
Physical injury Any works causing health
hazards are of high risk.
Therefore, it is not to be taken
lightly.
Regular check of site and the
accident prone areas would be
adequate to avoid such
accidents. Workers need to
wear safety gears and
preventive measures should be
taken care of.

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4. Power tools
Fire explosion Fire explosion accidents are of
high priority that can cause
disaster. Therefore, it is a high
risk.
Fire explosion is a major
hazards however it does not
occur easily. Although when it
occurs it gives has severe
impact and therefore, there
should be strong prevention
from these accidents. There
should be appropriate location
of fire points and assembly of
correct tools for stopping the
cause.
Minor accidents The accidents can cause minor
injuries however, there is a
need for taking care of this
particular section.
The workers should be careful
regarding the environment.
Following an appropriate
guideline would be safe for the
workers. Regular check of site
and the accident prone areas
would be adequate to avoid
such minor accidents.
Electrical accidents Electrical accidents are of
high priority that can cause
disaster. Therefore, it is a high
Due to several wet conditions
and several usage of machines,
there can be several electricity

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risk. related accidents. The wiring of
the construction sites should be
checked properly. Workers
should avoid getting the wet
activities near the electricity.
The machine operation should
be given adequate voltage to
avoid any circuit issue.
5. Materials handling
equipment
Physical injury Any works causing physical
health problem are of high
risk. Therefore, it is not to be
taken lightly.
The workers should be careful
regarding the environment.
Following an appropriate
guideline would be safe for the
workers. Regular check of site
and the accident prone areas
would be adequate to avoid
such accidents. Machines and
operation should be carefully
examined.
Physical injury Any works causing physical The workers should be careful

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health problem are of high
risk. Therefore, it is not to be
taken lightly.
regarding the environment.
Following an appropriate
guideline would be safe for the
workers. Regular check of site
and the accident prone areas
would be adequate to avoid
such accidents. Machines and
operation should be carefully
examined.
Health related problems The health related problems are
caused when the workers are
exposed to chemicals. This
happens while cutting building
blocks, demolition work or any
other drilling activities.
Appropriate prevention
measures and should be taken.
The level of exposure for the
workers should be maintained.
Wearing of mask should be
mandatory to avoid inhaling of
harmful chemicals.
Health related problems Any works causing health The cement dust and wet

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hazards are of high risk.
Therefore, it is not to be taken
lightly.
cements are highly impactful on
health. There are many ways
health is at stake when it comes
to construction site. Mask
should be made compulsory.
Exposure to the chemicals
should be determined and kept
under control.
Conclusion:
Construction companies, being one of the high risk associated business have several risks
and potential for various hazards. The list of hazards involved in construction activities are
various and each and every hazards can a level of risk that can cause loss to the company as well
as lives. Therefore, evaluating every hazards it is necessary to adopt appropriate measures.

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References:
Fauzey, Ily Hanisah Mohd, Fatemeh Nateghi, Farahbod Mohammadi, and Faridah Ismail.
"Emergent occupational safety & health and environmental issues of demolition work: Towards
public environment." Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences 168 (2015): 41-51.
Kim, Jeong Tai, and Chuck WF Yu. "Hazardous materials in buildings." Indoor and Built
Environment 23, no. 1 (2014): 44-61.