Risk control involves a set of methods used to evaluate potential losses and take action to reduce or eliminate such threats. It utilizes findings from risk assessments, which involve identifying potential risk factors in a company’s operations, such as technical and non-technical aspects of the business, Health and Safety policies, and other issues that may affect the well-being of the organization.
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ToggleImportance of Risk Control
Risk control measures are very crucial for the prevention of accidents or injury to an organization. They provide a sort of safety net by identifying, controlling, and reducing the risks present in an organization.
- It helps identify at-risk employees, and know what factors they are exposed to.
- It aids reassessment of risks time and again checks the efficiency of the methods applied to control them and decides whether they should be re-evaluated.
- Helps take care of legal obligations that require identification of risks and apply safety measures accordingly.
- Keeps the company in maximum profitable situations and always covers up against the losses.
Risk control begins with a risk assessment to identify the presence and severity of workplace hazards. Employers must then implement the most effective controls available.
To achieve good risk control, you will have to adopt the hierarchy of controls.
Hierarchy of Control
The elements of the hierarchy of control follow thus:
- Elimination
- Substitution
- Engineering controls
- Administrative controls
- Personal protective equipment
Let us explain the different elements;
1. Elimination:
This involves removing the hazard from the workplace so that no one is exposed to the risk it poses.
Eliminating hazards can be cheaper and more practical at the design or planning stage of a product, process, or workplace. In these early stages, there is more scope to design to eliminate hazards or to include risk control measures that are compatible with the requirements of the original design and function.
Read Also: 5 Key Elements of the Risk Management Process
Employers can also eliminate hazards and risks by removing the hazard completely.
For Example;
a. Removing trip hazards on the floor or disposing of unwanted chemicals eliminates the risks they create.
b. A production process can be changed so that some chemicals, materials, or equipment are no longer required.
2. Substitution:
This is the second most effective hazard control measure. It involves replacing a hazardous material or equipment with less hazardous ones.
Read Also: What is Hazard and Effect Management Process (HEMP)
For Example;
- A lead-based paint can be replaced with a paint that does not contain lead.
- Use a scourer, mild detergent, and hot water instead of caustic cleaners for cleaning
- Use a cordless drill instead of an electric drill if the power cord is in danger of being cut
- use water-based paints instead of solvent-based paints
3. Engineering Controls:
This involves designing a solution that controls the hazard at its source.
For Example;
- Building a physical barrier between the personnel and the hazard.
- Mechanical devices such as trolleys or hoists to move heavy loads
- Guards around moving parts of machinery
- Using a Pedestrian-sensing systems
- Using Speed-governing mechanisms
4. Administrative Control:
Developing work procedures that will favor safe work practices, like worker rotation to reduce exposure time, provision of welfare facilities, etc.
For Example;
- Rearranging or updating the steps in a job process to keep the worker from encountering the hazard. Developing standardized safe work practices is an important step.
- Performing maintenance operations that involve toxic substances at night when the usual production staff is not present.
- Rotating workers through various job assignments so that they do not develop repetitive motion injuries.
5. Personal protective equipment:
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is termed – The last line of defense. It is used when all other control measures fail.
They include;
- Hand gloves
- Coveralls
- Respirators
- Hard hats
- Safety glasses
- High-visibility clothing
- Safety footwear, etc.
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