Lesson 4 - Health and Safety

Welcome back. So, what were your thoughts?

Here is one example of each key risk control factor:

• Elimination – remove equipment that presents a trip hazard

• Substitution – replace the asbestos insulation on the old boiler with a safer alternative such as mineral wool

• Engineering controls – install machinery guarding around the bottle filler

• Administrative controls – do not permit access to the top of the malt silos when they are being filled

• PPE – wear eye protection in the laboratory

Monitoring

The risk assessment process does not end with the identification of controls. These controls need to be implemented, and their effectiveness continually evaluated. They need to remain suitable and sufficient. Also, things change, so we need to periodically revisit the hazard identification list to see if there are any new hazards, or if any of the old ones are no longer a concern.

Risk assessments need to be well documented, not just for legal reasons, but to ensure knowledge is not lost when employees leave the department or business entirely. Also, the risk assessment should highlight training needs and the development of standard operating procedures.

Below are methods we use to control risk:

• SOP – Standard Operating Procedure is a set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organisation to help workers carry out complex routine operations. SOPs aim to achieve efficiency, quality output and uniformity of performance while reducing miscommunication and failure to comply with industry regulations.

• SWP – A Safe Work Procedure is essentially the same as a SOP, but some companies prefer one acronym over the other. It is also a step-by-step description of a process when deviation may cause a loss. This risk control document created by teams within the company describes the safest and most efficient way to perform a task.

• Method Statement – a document that gives specific instructions on how to safely perform a work-related task, or operate a piece of plant or equipment. Again, these are similar to SOPs or SWPs and are often provided by contractors to inform the site management how they intend to do the job.

• One-point Lessons – These are typically a one-page lesson that aims to remind operators how to do something safely. They can also take the form of a YouTube or eHow clip as they are widely available on the web (https://www.youtube.com/ or https://www.ehow.com/). Some breweries have had success in creating their own short video clips for operators to watch on their mobile phones, instructing them how to do a particular task.
  

• LOTO – Lock Out, Tag Out is a system that ensures equipment is locked out and safe to work on or enter, with no risk of anyone restarting the equipment before the work is complete.

• Permit to Work – These are formal, written specifications for controlling risks when carrying out hazardous work, usually for non-routine activities that require special precautions to control the hazards. Examples include:

  • Hotwork (welding, cutting, grinding or anything that can cause a spark)

  • Confined space entry

  • Work from heights

  • High voltage electrical work

  • High pressure system work

  • Excavation

Spend some time thinking about each of the terms above and how these may be used in your particular work environment. Think about routine operations, as well as non-routine work. Also consider the control of contractors. Take 5-10 minutes to think about this, and then click ’Next’ to continue with this lesson.