Risk Identification, Assessment, and Control in Building and Construction Industry

This report discusses the findings on the assessment of risk associated with hazards in the Building and Construction Industry and the processes of controlling the risks according to OHS risk management procedures.

Risk, Identification, Assessment, and Control 1
HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND RISK CONTROL PROCESS IN BUILDING AND
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
By Name
Course
Instructor
Institution
Location
Date

Risk, Identification, Assessment, and Control 2
INTRODUCTION
This report discusses the findings on the assessment of risk associated of hazards that have been
identified in the Building and Construction Industry and also the processes of controlling the
risks according to the OHS risk management procedures. Risk control, risk assessment, and
hazard identification have become significant to the operation, management, and planning of an
industry as a basis of management of risk from (Górny, 2019). The major people whose welfare
and health are likely to be affected the risks include person installing commissioning, erecting or
installing the plant, suppliers and manufacturers of the plant, designers of structures, buildings
and plant, persons who control or manage the workplace, labour-hire companies, self-employed
persons, employees, and employers.
HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
Hazard is any situation or source with the potential of harming in term of damage of workplace
environment, damage of property, ill health, and human injury. Hazards exist in every
workstation in different forms and there is a need for identifying, assessing, and controlling
concerning the substances, plant or work processes. Hazard identification, as the most significant
step in the process of risk management, is arguably the most essential part in the effort towards
safety analysis that should be identified, controlled, and conducted in the close consultation with
the workers according to (Rout & Sikdar, 2017). The one method that was used in the hazard
identification is by component checklist which is based on the analysis of the previous
experience to determine causal factors, trigger event and possible threats. The table below shows
the inspection checklist:

Risk, Identification, Assessment, and Control 3
Hazards Work
Environment
Risks Description
Noise Noise level Hearing
problems,
Hearing loss
Excessive and repetitive noise may result in long-term
hearing problems.
Falls and
Heights
Loading area,
storage area
Physical
injuries,
Fractures,
sprains,
The company normally involves the workers working at
heights and this has normally resulted in mobility and
access restrictions
Air quality Plant
environment
Death,
Respiratory
problem
There are some construction materials that contain asbestos
and workers may be exposed. The company is also
eternally dusty and the dust contains a mixture of harmful
fibres and powder that may result in chronic diseases.
Handling Work area Collapse,
Physical
injuries,
bruises,
Equipment and materials are usually moved around on a
routine basis through the mechanical or manual method and
there are normally hazards related to such movement such
as physical injury
Fire Fire Situations Lung
irritation,
light burns,
death
When materials like flammable chemicals, rags, paper, and
scrap timber come into contact with ignition sources from
heaters, heat guns, and welding equipment, fire can take
control very quickly and spread (Bayram & Ünğan, 2018).
The five hazards identified in this Building and Construction industry include fire, handling, air
quality, falls and heights, and lastly noise. Pulling, pushing, bending, and lifting of objects,
sustained vibration, over-reaching, and repetitive movement can result in injuries related to
manual handling. With falls from heights causing the highest number of casualties, precautions
and safety are essential. Falls may also be caused by objects falling construction sites such as
scaffolding, tools, or bricks, debris from structural collapse or demolition, and from lifting
equipment as explain by (Glade & Nadim, 2013). The working conditions of the Construction
and Building industry is noisy and busy. Sudden loud volume may be dangerous for workers, but
long-term exposure with repetitive sounds such as compressors and drills may result in long-term
problems such as hearing loss.
The hazards above were gathered through the use study method, review, interview, and research
on OHS Hazards and Risks.

Risk, Identification, Assessment, and Control 4
RISK ASSESSMENT
Risk assessment is the process of evaluating and examining the severity and likelihood of the
potential consequences for the purposes of prioritization of risks control from (Whittaker, 2015).
Every identified hazard is identified, classified, and then ranked according to the severity of the
potential results of affecting the environment, damage assets, injury to workers, and reputation of
the Building and Construction Industry.
Consequence
Descriptor Category
Noise Insignificant: Incident but no
injury
Fire Insignificant: Incident but no
injury
Handling Minor: First Aid required
Air quality Major: Death and disability
Falls and Heights Serious: Serious injury and
hospitalization
Likelihood
Descriptor Category
Noise Likely
Fire Very unlikely: Rarely
happens
Handling Likely
Air quality Very likely
Falls and Heights Unlikely
Risk Assessment Outcome
According to (Cirjaliu, et al., 2016), the risk assessment outcome can be obtained but adding the
numerical values from both the likelihood and consequence to obtain the severity of every
hazard. The most severe hazard will have the maximum numerical value while the least severe
hazard will have the least.

Risk, Identification, Assessment, and Control 5
Likelihood Consequences
Major Serious Minor Insignificant Severity( x
10 )
Fire 1 1 2
Handling 4 3 7
Air quality 5 5 10
Falls and
Heights
2 4 6
Noise 4 1 5
From the risk assessment outcome in the table above, the most severe risk facing the Building
and Construction Industry is the air quality which is majorly caused by hazards such as dust,
emissions, gas, and asbestos followed by handling, and then falls and heights hazards. The least
severe hazards facing the Building and Construction Industry are fire and noise hazards.
RISK CONTROL
Risk control requires strategies that can be taken to reduce or eliminate the probability of
exposure to a hazard will result in disease or injury. Risk control provides a method through
which risks can be evaluated systematically against a set of control options to determine the most
effective method of control for the risks related with every hazard as stated by (Syahputri, et al.,
2017). This process entails the analysis of the collected data from the hazard identification and
the process of risk assessment and establishing a plan to control or eliminate the identified risks.
The minimization of risk entails a combination of personal protective equipment, administrative
procedures, engineering controls, isolating the hazard, and substituting the hazard. Hazard
substitution involves substituting a material, method, or substance with another material, method,
or substance so as to minimize the hazard or risk.
Hazard isolation involves the separation of hazard from people of the workplace such as
guarding machinery or system to prevent injuries, lockout procedures in case faults are detected

Risk, Identification, Assessment, and Control 6
in the equipment, locking down chemical storeroom to prevent any unauthorized person who
does not have clearance. The application of engineering controls is basically implemented to
alter the current plant, system, or machinery or purchase a different plant, equipment, or
machinery to provide a physical alternative solution as indicated by (Supriyadi, 2017). This can
be done in case the existing system cannot be modified to conform to the safety standards
required. Some of the engineering control methods that can be implemented to control physical
injuries when working at heights include guard rails, trolley, hoists or cranes.
The use of personal protective equipment and administrative procedures are control options that
should be considered lastly since they do not control the hazard source but depend on the
supervision and human behaviour and are hence less effective. Administrative procedures
establish the work procedures and method to reduce the conditions of risk such as training of
staff members on correct operating procedures, job rotation to restrict hours worked, and written
safety operating procedures according to (Bayram & Ünğan, 2018). The application of personal
protective equipment provides the lowest protection level and should only be applied as a last
resort to tackle the hazards identified, where the hazard cannot be reduced or removed by any
other method. Examples of this method include protective safety boots, protective eyes from
flying particles, and aprons, safety glasses, and gloves for handling chemicals.
Hazards and Recommended Measures
Hazard Risk Assess the
likelihood of
risk or harm
Control Measure Currently in place Control Measure
Required
Noise Hearing
problems,
Hearing loss
Unlikely -The industrial hygienist should make suitable noise and control it.
-Those workers who are assigned to in high noise areas should not
exceed the weighted time of 8 hours
Administration
Fire Lung
irritation,
light burns,
death
Highly
unlikely
-Storage structures should be designed to reduce the surface area on
which flammable gases can settle in.
Protect flammable combustible materials, oxygen pipes, and
flammable gases during maintenance activities
Engineering

Risk, Identification, Assessment, and Control 7
Handling Collapse,
Physical
injuries,
bruises,
Likely -The operation area of fixed handling machine or equipment should
not cross above pre-assembly area or worker
-Workers involved in handling lifting equipment and operating
mechanical transport systems should be trained regularly
-Description of the load to be lifted such as the position of the
centre of gravity, weight, and dimensions should be clearly stated
Administrative
PPE
Air quality Death,
Respiratory
problem
Very likely -Sources of gases and dust should be enclosed and separated.
-Exhaust ventilation should be installed at essential point sources of
asbestos, gas emissions, and dust.
-A sealed cabin with air filter should be provided if an operated is
required in a contaminated region
Elimination
PPE
Falls and
Heights
Physical
injuries,
Fractures,
sprains,
Moderate -Provide grids around shields and stands where rolled materials
could come rolling accidentally
-Minimize falls by keeping stairways and walkways free from
materials that may cause slips, debris, and wet.
-Isolation of dangerous areas and also providing protective
equipment and systems for those operating in long heights (Górny,
2019)
Engineering
Administrative
PPE
Hazard and Risk Priority
Hazard Identification Risk Analysis Risk Control
Identified
Hazard
Effects Risks Risk
likelihood
Existing Risk Control Recommended Control
Measure
Responsibilit
y
Date
Air Quality -Rubbing caused
by abrasion of the
cornea
-Respiratory
problems
-Skin irritation
Death,
Respiratory
problem
Very likely -Immediately rinse with
clean water
-Use impervious gloves
to protect skin
-Wear safety glasses
with side shields
-Filter outlet air and exhaust
ventilation
--Store materials in well-
ventilated rooms using
correct storage procedures
-In case of eye contact, seek
medical attention
-Supervisor
-Medical
-First Aid
Date………
Handling -Broken bone
-Damage of
tissues
Physical skin
rapture
Collapse,
Physical
injuries,
bruises,
Likely -The operation area of
fixed handling machine
or equipment should not
cross above pre-
assembly area or worker
- Abrasions and cuts
should be treated
immediately after an
accident
-Workers involved in
handling lifting equipment
and operating mechanical
transport systems should be
trained regularly
-Description of the load to
be lifted such as the position
of the centre of gravity,
weight, and dimensions
should be clearly stated
-Management
-Supervisor
-Medical
Date……..
Falls and
Heights
-Death
-Broken bones
-Permanent figure
dislocation
Physical
injuries,
Fractures,
sprains,
Moderate -Minimize falls by
keeping stairways and
walkways free from
materials that may cause
slips, debris, and wet.
-Provide grids around
shields and stands where
rolled materials could come
rolling accidentally
--Isolation of dangerous
areas and also providing
protective equipment and
systems for those operating
in long heights
-Management
-Supervisor
Date………
Noise -Hearing Hearing Unlikely Earplug -Warning signs of an area -Management

Risk, Identification, Assessment, and Control 8
impairment
-Premature
ejaculation
-Hypertension
-Hearing loss
problems,
Hearing
loss
with high noise levels
-Hearing protection gadgets
-Supervisor
Date ………..
Fire -Respiratory
problem
-Skin Lesions
-
Lung
irritation,
light
burns,
death
Protect flammable
combustible materials,
oxygen pipes, and
flammable gases during
maintenance activities
Storage structures should be
designed to reduce the
surface area on which
flammable gases can settle
in (Rout & Sikdar, 2017).
Date………..
MONITOR AND REVIEW
Hazard control, risk assessment, and hazard identification is an on-going process. Therefore,
frequent evaluation of the effectiveness of the control measures and hazard assessments should
be carried out every 3 years. There is a need to ensure that the risk assessment and hazard are
undertaken whenever that is a change in the Building and Construction industry including
equipment, machinery, tools, and systems changes. There is also a need for providing additional
supervisions especially when new workers will lower level of knowledge and skills are
introduced to the industry as explained by (Glade & Nadim, 2013). The effectiveness of the
control measure can be determined through frequent reviews and also consultation with
employees. The maintenance of records of the risk management process helps when carrying out
subsequent reviews or assessment of risk as it shows the process of decision making and
informed how controls were supposed to be implemented.
CONCLUSION
This report discusses the findings on the assessment on the risk control, risk assessment, and
hazard identification that have been identified in the Building and Construction Industry
according to the OHS risk management procedures. The five hazards identified in this Building
and Construction industry include fire, handling, air quality, falls and heights, and lastly noise.

Risk, Identification, Assessment, and Control 9
Every identified hazard was identified, classified, and then ranked according to the severity of
the potential results of affecting the environment, damage assets, injury to workers, and
reputation of the Building and Construction Industry. Risk control entails the analysis of the
collected data from the hazard identification and the process of risk assessment and establishing
a plan to control or eliminate the identified risks. The minimization of risk entails a combination
of personal protective equipment, administrative procedures, engineering controls, isolating the
hazard, and substituting the hazard.

Risk, Identification, Assessment, and Control 10
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Bayram, M. & Ünğan, M., 2018. The relationships between OHS prevention costs, OHSMS practices,
employee satisfaction, OHS performance and accident costs. Total Quality Management & Business
Excellence, pp. 1-20.
Cirjaliu, B., Weinschrott, H., Gaureanu, A. & Boatca, E., 2016. A Proposal for a Risk Assessment
Management in a Transport Company. Procedia Economics and Finance, Volume 39, pp. 229-234.
Glade, T. & Nadim, F., 2013. Early warning systems for natural hazards and risks. Natural Hazards,
Volume 70, pp. 1669-1671.
Górny, A., 2019. Assessment and Management of Risk in Improving the OHS Management System.
System Safety: Human - Technical Facility - Environment, Volume 1, pp. 105-111.
Rout, B. & Sikdar, B., 2017. Hazard identification, risk assessment, and control measures as an effective
tool of occupational health assessment of hazardous process in an iron ore pelletizing industry. Indian
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Volume 21, p. 56.
Supriyadi, S., 2017. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND RISK ASSESSMENT IN BOILER DIVISION USING HAZARD
IDENTIFICATION RISK ASSESSMENT AND RISK CONTROL (HIRARC). Journal of Industrial Hygiene and
Occupational Health, Volume 1, p. 161.
Syahputri, I., Rizkya, I. & Siregar, I., 2017. Identification of Potential Hazard using Hazard Identification
and Risk Assessment. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, Volume 180, p. 120.
Whittaker, M., 2015. Risk Assessment and Alternatives Assessment: Comparing Two Methodologies.
Risk Analysis, Volume 35, pp. 2129-2136.

Risk, Identification, Assessment, and Control 11
Appendix 1: Worksite Assessment Form (Górny, 2019)

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Appendix 2: Hazard Identification and Risk Control Process (Whittaker, 2015)

Risk, Identification, Assessment, and Control 13
Appendix 3: Safety Levels (Rout & Sikdar, 2017)