Lesson 6: Hazard Identification, Assessment and Control

Glossary


Hazard identification, assessment, and control is at the foundation of occupational health and safety, and is a requirement under the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Code. 

The process of identifying, assessing, and controlling hazards is essential to any workplace health and safety management system, and is outlined here again for emphasis:
 
Hazard Identification - locating hazards that could cause accidents in the workplace

Hazard Assessment - determining the degree of danger the hazards pose to workers (this is the risk factor)

Hazard Control - developing a plan to reduce or eliminate the identified hazards before they cause accidents 


  • New hazards can appear at any time - even after they have been identified, assessed and controlled.
  • Checking for hazards should be ongoing because:  equipment will wear out; things sometimes don't get put back where they belong; there may be new staff starting, etc.
  • A workplace safety program must include regular checks for workplace hazards.
  • Reporting all incidents is important for reducing hazards.  It helps improve the safety of all workers doing similar jobs.