Risk Assessment Methods and Applications

This assignment explores the world of risk assessment methods, examining their approaches and applications across various domains. It delves into specific examples like oil spill science, power system reliability, occupational health and safety, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure optimization. The focus is on understanding how these methods are used to analyze and mitigate potential risks in different contexts.

Running head: HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK
Health and Safety at Work
Name of the student
Name of the University
Author note

1HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK
Executive Summary
The purpose of this report is to review the workplace Go Fuel Pty Limited and its policies
and procedures. It highlights the concerns of the organisation and the proposal for
implementation of Work Health Safety and Management System (WHSMS). It discusses the
relevant policies and procedures that would ensure compliance with WHS. It discusses about
the human, physical and financial resources required for implementation of WHSMS. It talks
at length about the record-keeping policies and procedures of the company. It provides a
summary of consultation meetings with workers and the relevant solutions to their problems.

2HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK
Table of Contents
Task 1: Planning WHS Management System............................................................................3
1.1) Brief Introduction of the Workplace...........................................................................3
1.2) Review of the Workplace and relevant policies and procedures.................................3
1.3) Proposal for design of WHSMS..................................................................................4
1.4) Relevant policies and procedures to ensure compliance with WHS legislations.......5
1.5) Human, physical and financial resources required for implementation of WHS
management system...............................................................................................................6
1.6) Developing recordkeeping policy and procedures..........................................................6
Task 2: Managing workers consultation....................................................................................6
2.2) Summary of consultation meetings with workers and solutions to their concerns.........7
2.3) Draft an email for communicating solutions to team for their concerns raised..............8
References:.................................................................................................................................9

3HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK
Task 1: Planning WHS Management System
1.1) Brief Introduction of the Workplace
Go Fuel is a private company that has an independent service station in the north of
Melbourne. Jim Murphy has acquired the prestigious position of CEO of the company for last
five years. Go Fuel has collected a significant amount of finance in order to buy Independent
Service Station (ISS) of a total of nine stores that are operating in Victoria, Queensland and
in NSW. It wants to rebrand them in the name of Go Fuel. The service stations of Go Fuel
work 24 hours in a day. It is inclusive of a forefront that can be accessed by a vehicle and
boasts of having six pump stations, food bar and a retail shop. It also has a store manager’s
office along with that of a stockroom. Their work includes that of selling fuel, gas, oil along
with that of supermarket goods and hot pies.
1.2) Review of the Workplace and relevant policies and procedures

4HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK
Go Fuel dreams of becoming first choice provider of snacks and fuel for the
Australian motorists. It envisions of producing a safe environment at the workplace that will
help in creating an international brand image. Go Fuel has underwent a lot of transformation
and it wants to expand from that of a single hands-on operation to that of multi-store
organisation that would triple in its size by the end of next five years (Ahmad et al., 2016).
Goods are being in huge quantities and it proves to be very difficult to lift them. Screens that
are anti-glare have been installed on computer along with that of point-of-sale screens.
Emphasis is laid on sales along with cost control and not in the area of health and safety. The
workplace provides Personal Protective Equipment that includes safety vests and hard hats.
They provide equipment for the protection of the faculties of hearing and sight. The staff
however does not use it all the time thus leading to safety hazards. There are no posters
related to emergency preparedness in the different stores (Bahr, 2014). There is dearth of
staff notice board that provides information on safety. There is the availability of material
safety data sheet in relation to the dangerous goods that are petrol and LPG.
1.3) Proposal for design of WHSMS
a) The health and safety laws require the employers to co-operate in the arena of
mitigating workplace risk in order to serve the purpose of protecting the health of
workers. Duty-holders should be able to ensure that people are not being exposed to
to unnecessary risks in the workplace. Employees should take care of the fact that the
non-employees are being exposed to health risk on account of the undertaking of the
employer. Risk should be eliminated as far as practicable. Employers should engage
themselves in active consultation with the employers in order to assess risk (Covello
& Merkhoher, 2013).

5HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK
b) Consulting the workers is the key to ensure the safety of the workers according to the
WHS Act. A healthy representative can actively engage in consultation in order to
highlight the problem of the workers. Consultation is inclusive of sharing information
and providing the workers reasonable scope so that they can express their views
clearly. Consultation along with co-operation with other persons who are responsible
for work safety should be carried out on regular basis (Demeritt et al., 2015). Other
business operators who share the same workplace should also be consulted for
mitigating the risk factor.
c) The needs of WHS management system revolve around identifying workplace factors
that can have a relevant influence on the design related to WHS management system.
The WHS legal obligations need to be clarified in particular reference to the
workplace (Elliott et al., 2014). The links should be identified with other areas that
are functioning. Relevant inputs from the stakeholders should be assessed regarding
designing of WHS management system. Human resources should be identified that is
required for the perfect functioning of WHS management system. The limitations of
professional expertise in relation to the particular company should be recognised and
WHS specialists should be consulted whenever necessary.
1.4) Relevant policies and procedures to ensure compliance with WHS legislations

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The WHS risk management framework is inclusive of four main stages. All the workers
should be aware of and be able to understand the risk management practices. The use of
information technology is crucial in order to monitor the safety risk. Reviewing and reporting
related to risk management issue should be carried out at regular intervals in order to
safeguard the health of the workers. The CEO and those who are in the board of Executive
Management of Go Fuel Pty Limited should provide relevant input in order to establish WHS
risk Management Policy. A culture of risk management should trickle down from the top
management to the employees working at the lower level.
Robust internal control along with written policies that is supported by an audit process is
a significant step in risk management. Annual review can be carried out in the operations
organisation of Go Fuel Pty Limited in order to perceive any area of weakness.
Documentation process that makes use of appropriate tools can be made use of in order to
evaluate whether the controls are effective. Process should be reviewed from time to time till
acceptable level of the risk is obtained. A Hazard along with Incident Report should be
generated at the workplace. The Risk assessment that is complete should be filed and placed
in the Divisional Risk Register. The Elumina database can be made use of in order to track
whether the WHS control has been implemented properly (Bahr, 2014).
1.5) Human, physical and financial resources required for implementation of WHS
management system
The Health and Safety representative should be provided with proper training and the
providers should be able to meet the condition of approval. There should be the facility of an
audit workbook that can help the persons who are undertaking the compliance audits
( Fingas, 2014). Safe Work Australia along with Comcare can be taken recourse to that can

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provide guidance to help those who are interested in becoming an approved HSR training
provider.
The human resources that are required in a service station for ensuring the health and
safety of workers are service station attendant, service station night shift manager, service
station manager, service technician, plant operator, frontline station support officer, customer
service assistant and assistant retail manager. Quality Assurance Unit officers and board can
help in providing safety to a gas station. The officer will ensure that the safety obligations as
enshrined in WHS Regulation Act have been maintained. The Board on the other hand will
keep in check the activities of the officers. They will help in achieving the goals of the
organization.
The physical resources required in a service station for implementing the WHS system
are breakaways, console parts, dispenser hose, driveway equipment, replacement covers,
calibration containers, nozzles, remanufactured dispensers, air machine and swivel.
Resource
Wage incl.
entitlements
cost
($ hourly)
Lost
productivity
cost
($ hourly)
Total cost
($ hourly)
Store managers 100 100 200
Shift Managers and cashiers 50 50 100
WHS consultant 120 N/A 120
Training rooms 100 N/A 100
Figure: Table of Costs For Implementation of WHS Management System
Source: (Ahmad et al., 2016)

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1.6) Developing recordkeeping policy and procedures
Records should be kept regarding whether the plans are being implemented. Health
and safety grievances should be tracked down in order to successfully resolve the problems.
Reduction in number of safety grievance should be tracked down correctly in order to
measure the improvements in the arena of health and safety management. A checklist is
necessary while auditing the system or in order to measure whether some activities are being
completed within the framework of fixed time schedule (Forouzanfar et al., 2015). Reports
on frequency of mishaps and the average time that is lost on account of this has to be
recorded properly. Qualitative information can be gathered from discussions with safety
representatives that can reveal important facts. A logbook can be kept for recording the
frequency of accidents and the loss that has been incurred on account of it.
Task 2: Managing workers consultation
2.1) System in order to ensure workers participation in decision making of WHS
While dealing with the workers it is extremely important that briefing is
communicated to the employees. Briefing refers to the steps that have been taken by the top
management in order to minimize hazards related to health. Appropriate communication will
focus on taking the point of view of the employees and their verdict on the steps that has been
undertaken. Consultation can also be taken recourse to that will illuminate on the different
options that are available and the choice made by the employees as they are the ones who
would be most affected by the policies and procedures implemented (Xie et al., 2013). The
information should be provided as early as possible so that one gets enough time to ponder
about the matter. Confidentiality in relation to personal information is necessary to prevent
any kind of controversy. The workers should be given various ways so that they can provide
feedback by using e-mail or a suggestion box can also be integrated into the procedures in

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order to avert problems (Lam, Leung & Chu, 2014). Problem-solving should be carried out
jointly and the employees should come together to discuss any issue of dispute and whether a
unanimous solution can be agreed to on the issue. Before any significant decision is arrived
at, it is of utmost importance to take into account the opinion of safety representatives before
arriving at a solution. “Reasonable practice” should be carried out that is reasonable in
relation to the particular circumstances. Reasonable practice depends on the structure of
business and nature of work (Li, 2014). The characteristics of workers that includes the
spoken language along with literacy level will be taken into consideration when determining
the extent to which the workers should be consulted. Workers who are working outside like
drivers on road or those employees who are working from home should also be consulted
while devising policies and procedures ( Paas, Reinhold & Tint, 2015).
Consultation provides a two-way process that is necessary to raise and solve
the concerns of the employees. Views and information have to be shared in order to provide
the solutions of the issues. The hazards should be identified and risks should be assessed at
the outset after consultation with the workers. Changes have to be proposed in order to
safeguard the health of the workers. Decisions should be made regarding whether the
facilities are adequate for the welfare of the workers. Consultation involves sharing of
important information regarding WHS matters with the employees. Workers should be given
ample opportunity to express their view points on the problems and contribute effectively in
the decision-making process. Workers should be informed about the outcome of consultation
within a limited time frame. All the supervisors and employees who have supervisory
functions should ensure that the supervision is adequate that is provided to the employees.
Complexity of assigned task, risks associated with them and competency of individual can
help in determining the form that is required for supervision (Paas, Reinhold & Tint, 2015).
Direct and periodic supervision are effective ways in knowing about the concern of workers.

10HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK
2.2) Summary of consultation meetings with workers and solutions to their concerns
The consultation meetings with workers emphasized that incidents of fuel spill, fire in
rubbish spin and slipping on wet shop floor has proved disastrous for the work environment
and has resulted into losing number of days worked ( Rahman et al., 2016). Tripping, falling
stock in reserve and burns has led to a lot of disruption within the workplace. Eye and
breathing difficulty in relation to fumes has also given rise to problems. It was found that no
safety audit has been undertaken at regular interval and the schedule is not planned. There is
no staff notice board revealing any safety information. The tanks can be rested on continuous
concrete slab and double-walled tanks can be installed in order to provide protection and
safety to the workers (Silvestre & Gimenes, 2017). Rain water should be prevented from
filling the containment area and the tank should have a roof structure in order to safeguard it.
The dispenser hoses should be regularly checked in order to find out any problem. Drainage
from diked containment areas can be controlled with the help of valves that are manually
controlled. Adequate security like fencing and lighting should be provided. Tank valves along
with starter controls should be locked whenever they are not operating (Reese, 2015). They
should be accessible only for authorized personnel. The employees who are handling with oil
should be properly trained and pollution control regulations should be should be implemented
in the workplace.
2.3) Draft an email for communicating solutions to team for their concerns raised
Dear Concerned,
A Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan can be implemented within the
service station that is certified by a professional engineer in order to solve the problems of the
workers. Buried piping should be wrapped protectively and coated in order to prevent
corrosion and they should be periodically tested in order to assess its structural integrity.
Tank inspection should be combined with that of integrity testing which is based on the

11HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK
norms of industry standards in order to provide solution to the worker’s problems. Tank
foundation, coating along with the piping system should be inspected from time to time in
order to prevent any disaster occurring in the workplace.
Regards,
External Consultant

12HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK
References:
Ahmad, I., Rehan, M., Balkhyour, M., Abbas, M., Basahi, J., Almeelbi, T., & Ismail, I. M. (2016).
Review of Environmental Pollution and Health Risks at Motor Vehicle Repair Workshops
Challenges and Perspectives for Saudi Arabia. International Journal of Agricultural and
Environmental Research, 2(1), 1-22.
Bahr, N. J. (2014). System safety engineering and risk assessment: a practical approach. CRC Press.
Covello, V. T., & Merkhoher, M. W. (2013). Risk assessment methods: approaches for assessing
health and environmental risks. Springer Science & Business Media.
Demeritt, D., Rothstein, H., Beaussier, A. L., & Howard, M. (2015). Mobilizing risk: explaining
policy transfer in food and occupational safety regulation in the UK. Environment and
Planning A, 47(2), 373-391.
Elliott, D., Davidson, J. E., Harvey, M. A., Bemis-Dougherty, A., Hopkins, R. O., Iwashyna, T. J., ...
& Black, G. (2014). Exploring the scope of post–intensive care syndrome therapy and care:
engagement of Non–critical care providers and survivors in a second stakeholders
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Fingas, M. (Ed.). (2014). Handbook of oil spill science and technology. John Wiley & Sons.
Forouzanfar, M. H., Alexander, L., Anderson, H. R., Bachman, V. F., Biryukov, S., Brauer, M., ... &
Delwiche, K. (2015). Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 79
behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks in 188
countries, 1990–2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study
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Lam, A. Y., Leung, Y. W., & Chu, X. (2014). Electric vehicle charging station placement:
Formulation, complexity, and solutions. IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid, 5(6), 2846-2856.
Li, W. (2014). Risk assessment of power systems: models, methods, and applications. John Wiley &
Sons.
Paas, Õ., Reinhold, K., & Tint, P. (2015). Estimation of safety performance by MISHA method and
the benefits of OHSAS 18001 implementation in Estonian manufacturing industry. Agronomy
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Rahman, I., Vasant, P. M., Singh, B. S. M., Abdullah-Al-Wadud, M., & Adnan, N. (2016). Review
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infrastructures. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 58, 1039-1047.
Reese, C. D. (2015). Occupational health and safety management: a practical approach. CRC press.
Silvestre, B. S., & Gimenes, F. A. P. (2017). A sustainability paradox? Sustainable operations in the
offshore oil and gas industry: The case of Petrobras. Journal of Cleaner Production, 142,
360-370.
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