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wiring with high chances for short circuits. Within the same workplace, a laboratory
will be riskier as compared to an administrative section. Within the same section, a
person next to cupboard may have high risk of fall of object.
Risk Assessment and Hazard Identification (HIRA) is an exercise often carried
out in safety management system to identify possible hazards with respect to all the
activities in a workplace.
Hazard identification and risk assessment involves the following:
1. Recognizing hazards as well as those at risk
2. Assessing as well as prioritizing risks
3. Deciding on precautionary action
4. Taking action
5. Monitoring as well as reviewing
Toxic industrial chemicals can cause harm to biological system (e.g., reproductive hazards, corrosives, carcinogens). They are flammable, explosive, combustible
or reactive (Fig. 7.5).
Noise is an unwanted and unpleasant sound, loud or disruptive to hearing which
leads to physical and psychological health consequences. Elevated workplace or
environmental noise can result in hearing impairment, ischemic heart disease,
Working
Environment
Noise
Long
wavelength
radio waves es
Infrared
radiation
Light
radiation
Ultraviolet
radiation
Ionizing
radiation
Fire
Toxic fumes
Fall of
object
Moving
part of
machine
Biological
agents
Fig. 7.4 Some of the risks in the work environment
7.2 Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment