To build an effective occupational health and safety management system, it is crucial to adopt a proactive approach to risk prevention rather than a reactive one. This episode of the IHSA Safety Podcast discusses the basics of hazards, risks, assessment, and controls within an occupational health and safety management system and features Maren Gamble, Manager of Strategic Programs at IHSA.

Maren discusses the proactive approach in depth, which focuses on predicting and foreseeing potential risks before the job starts. Maren compares this to baby-proofing or pet-proofing a house by identifying potential hazards to an infant or a new pet and putting control measures in place.

Maren further emphasizes the importance of understanding the distinction between hazard, risk, assessment, and control. The hazard in a workplace is what causes harm, while the risk is the type of harm it can cause. It’s important to consider the hazard that existed to cause that risk, as this helps identify other risks associated with the same hazard.

Maren also discusses the best way to address risks, which is to implement controls. Some types of controls are better than others, leading to the control hierarchy as follows: Elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Free Resources

Hazard Identification and Control Awareness in Construction (eLearning)

Intro to Hazard and Risk Management (eLearning)

Hierarchy of Controls (YouTube)

Hazard Assessment, Analysis, and Control (COR® Podcast – Episode 6)

Trauma Management in the Workplace (IHSA Podcast – Episode 70)

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