Supervisor’s Guide to Field Level Risk
Assessment: Part 1

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SECTION 1: THE PROBLEM

Learning Objective:

Describe why Hazard ID's/Field Level Risk Assessments are needed to improve worker health and safety, work effectiveness and company profitability.

Some Facts:

  1. The Oil ang Gas industry has experienced a high number of injury accidents.
  2. Injury accidents are just one kind of work site incident. Incidents include unplanned events that may or may not result in undesirable consequences.
  3. The real cost of incidents includes the following:
    • equipment damage
    • environmental damage
    • lost work time
    • higher WCB premiums
    • poor reliability resulting in bad public relations
    • low morale
  4. The cost of incidents in your company may be higher than you think. In one Alberta company the direct costs alone for a 15-month period were estimated to be:
    • Critical incidents: 2 = $1,000,000
    • Major incidents 57 = $7,647,735
    • Serious incidents 79 = $1,642,200
    • Other incidents 223=$386,800
    • TOTAL $11,581,535
  5. Companies use a variety of methods to reduce incidents and improve worker safety. These include Hazop, generic JSA's, safe work procedures, Failure Modes and Effect Analysis (FMEA) etc. These are applied before a job is started to “build in” safety.
  6. There is information that cannot be considered in these planning methods. Information from the job site and the changes that occur as the work is done must also be used to ensure worker safety. When this information is ignored incidents occur.
  7. Many incidents could be avoided if workers stopped to think about the hazards that are part of doing the work under the conditions found at the site. Workers could then assess the risks of these hazards and put effective controls in place.
  8. Reducing or eliminating hazards and controlling risk is an effective way of improving the way work is done. Work methods can become more reliable and crews become more productive. There is a direct positive impact on worker morale and company profits from these improvements.
Section 1: The Problem – Questions

1. Why is a method of risk assessment required at the field level?

2. How would using a method of field level assessment of risks improve the results that your crew delivers?



SECTION 2: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY REGULATIONS

Learning Objective

Describe how Field Level Risk Assessment helps employers and workers fulfill the requirements of occupational health and safety legislation.

Responsibilities Defined in the Act

Employer Responsibilities

2(1) Every employer shall ensure, as far as it is reasonably practicable for him to do so,
(a) the health and safety of
  • workers engaged in the work of that employer, and
  • those workers not engaged in the work of that employer but present at the work site at which that work is being carried out, and
(b) that the workers engaged in the work of that employer are aware of their responsibilities and duties under this Act and the regulations.

Worker Responsibilities

(2) Every worker shall, while engaged in an occupation,
(a) take responsible care to protect the health and safety of himself and of other workers present while he is working, and
(b) co-operate with his employer for the purpose of protecting the health and safety of
  • himself,
  • other workers engaged in the work of the employer, and
  • other workers not engaged in the work of that employer but present at the work site at which that work is being carried out.
    • Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Both employers and workers are required by law to do all that is reasonably possible to protect the health and safety of everyone on the work site. Field Level Risk Assessment provides a way that both workers and employers can take action on this responsibility. It helps everyone to be responsible for what happens on the work site.


Section 2: OH&S Regulations Questions

1. As a supervisor what is your responsibility as a representative of the employer?

2. What are the responsibilities that workers have in the legislation?

3. How would a method of assessing risk at the field level help to take action on these legal responsibilities?


SECTION 3: FIELD LEVEL RISK ASSESSMENT DESCRIBED

Learning Objective

Describe what Field Level Risk Assessment is, when it is done, and who does it.

What is Field Level Risk Assessment?

1. A Part of Your Company’s Safety Program

There are many ways of improving safety at work. Many companies have programs that build in safety. These include Job Safety Analysis, Hazop, Failure Modes and Effect Analysis (FMEA), development of work procedures, etc. These methods may be developed before workers arrive at the job site. They change how work is planned and direct how work is to be done. Field Level Risk Assessment is used at the work site during operation. It uses information from the other company safety, risk assessment and planning processes and adds information about conditions at the actual time and location of the construction.

2. An Assessment of Risks at the Job Site

Crews and individual workers do Field Level Risk Assessment before they do work on the job site. They use information that they have been given about the work, how to do it safely and then add information from the job site that day. They think about each job step and identify possible hazards. They assess risk in relation to each job step. They identify ways of controlling the risk and put these controls in place.

3. A Team Discussion and Individual Mental Process

The supervisor leads a discussion about the risks and records the crew’s assessment on a form designed for that purpose. The workers do their own risk assessment as they work. Before taking any action, a worker stops and thinks about the hazards, the risks and the controls.

When Do You Do Field Level Risk Assessment?

Workers and Crews do Field Level Risk Assessment:
  • Any time there is a change that affects our work or somone else’s
  • At the beginning of a new job or a new shift
  • When new workers come on site
  • When the information about the work changes (e.g. changed plans, unexpected characteristics of the task such as the configuration of equipment)
  • Whenever conditions on the job site change (e.g. weather, availability of tools, etc.)

Field Level Risk Assessment Process

Supervisors use INPUTS like the project plan, the company safety program, job procedures, and job safety analysis to ensure worker health and safety. They use immediate information about the actual work location to prepare for a discussion. Supervisors lead a discussion with crews to IDENTIFY the job steps and IDENTIFY HAZARDS associated with each job step. Together, supervisors and workers ASSESS the RISKS of those hazards using the Risk Assessment Matrix. They IDENTIFY CONTROLS that reduce the risk to an acceptable level. For those risks that are not adequately controlled, further control measures are used.

Supervisors RECORD the risk assessment discussion. The record is used to identify effective ways to improve the way work is done to increase safety.

Field Level Risk Assessment is done every time conditions, workers or plans change. Crews do Field Level Risk Assessment as a team activity with their supervisor. Workers do the same steps as a habitual mental process as they work.


Section 3: What is Field Level Risk Assessment - Questions

1. How does Field Level Risk Assessment fit into a company’s safety program?

2. How is Field Level Risk Assessment a mental process?

3. How is Field Level Risk Assessment a team problem solving process?

4. When is Field Level Risk Assessment done?

5. What are the three central steps in Field Level Risk Assessment?



SECTION 4: STEPS OF FIELD LEVEL RISK ASSESSMENT

Learning Objective

Describe the process steps for doing Field Level Risk Assessment.

The Process You Do

Whether you are doing a Field Level Risk Assessment as a crew discussion or as a mental activity while you are working, the steps are the same. For each job step you:
  1. STOP and Think
  2. Look Around and Find Hazards
  3. Assess Risks
  4. Control Risks
  5. Resume Work
These are the steps in the process of Field Level Risk Assessment. They are used in crew discussions and used mentally by individuals.

The first step: “Stop and Think” is perhaps the most difficult. Getting the job done, especially one that is familiar is something that a good worker does naturally. Stopping and thinking before doing a task that is very familiar is often difficult. It requires breaking the habit of just “getting to it” and replacing it with thinking first about what could happen given the current situation. This is a critical responsibility of a supervisor.
“Look Around and Find Hazards” is done for each step of the job. It can include identifying both the hazards that are part of this kind of work and also hazards that are there because of the specific conditions that exist on the job site.

“Assessing the Risks” is done for each hazard that is identified. The hazards are considered in light of how serious the consequences of the incident would be and how likely it is that an incident would occur. Action is taken to “Control the Risk” for those hazards that present unacceptable risk.

NOTE: Each of these steps is dealt with separately in the sections that follow.


Section 4: Steps in Field Level Risk Assessment - Questions

1. What is the first and often most difficult step to do?

2. Why is the first step difficult to do?

3. What is done for each job step?



SECTION 5: HOW TO IDENTIFY HAZARDS

Learning Objective

Identify the steps of a job and identify the hazards linked to each job step.

1. Stop and Think

  • Use the information from safe work planning, safe work procedures, other company programs and years of experience working to identify the hazards inherent in doing the work.
  • List the steps to be taken in doing the job. These are the groups of activities that must be taken to complete a job.
Example: Job steps to replace a fluorescent lamp in a busy, poorly lit hallway.
  1. Acquire replacement lamp(s), bulb(s) or tube(s) and equipment to do the job
  2. Locate fixture with burnt out lighting
  3. Gain access to the lighting fixture
  4. Turn off the lamp
  5. Remove the fixture cover if present
  6. Remove the defective lamp (bulb or tube)
  7. Install the new lamp (bulb or tube)
  8. Replace the fixture cover
  9. Turn on the lamp to test it
  10. Dispose of the defective lamp
Questions to ask (Note: These questions are on the back of the “Memory Jogger”)
  1. Do I clearly understand the steps to this job?
    • What exact job will I do, and what specific job steps does it involve?
  2. Am I physically and mentally prepared to do each job step?
    • Am I strong enough to do each of the steps involved in this job?
    • Do I know how to do each step safely?

2. Identify Hazards

  • Consider what hazards are linked with each job step. Consider anything that could cause harm to people, property, materials, or the environment.
  • Consider: weights, heights, trenches, heat, cold, electricity, explosions, fires, radioactivity, chemicals (liquid, vapour), noise, muscle strains, microbes, sharp objects, vibrations, stress, falling, equipment, etc.
Example: Hazards linked to replacing a fluorescent lamp in a busy and poorly lit hallway
  1. Working at elevation
  2. Dust disturbance (eyes and breathing)
  3. Electrical hazard
  4. Breaking glass (lamp and fixture cover)
  5. Other workers or traffic below
  6. Eye and muscle strain from poor lighting
Note: Some hazards are there because of the nature of the job, e.g. electrical hazard. Some are there because of the specific location where this work is being done i.e. poorly lit and busy hallway. These conditions may not have been predicted.
Questions to ask (Note: These questions are on the back of the “Memory Jogger”)
  1. What could go wrong?
    • What could upset my plan for each job step?
  2. Is there any danger to myself or others? (any potential danger is a hazard)
    • To equipment?
    • To the environment?
  3. What could change and create a new hazard?
    • What could interfere with how I have planned to do the job safely?
  4. Could other crews, workers, or conditions pose hazards to me?
    • Will others go through the same mental process and control their hazards?
    • Will their work cause a hazard to me?


Section 5: How to Identify Hazard - Questions

1. What do you stop and think about before doing a job?

2. What is a hazard? Give some examples.

3. Use the following facts to identify the job steps required to complete this job. Identify the hazards linked to these job steps.
  • You are supervising a crew that is unloading cable from a picker truck flatbed.
  • You require the cable to be on the third level of a building that is in the early stages of construction.
  • There are three people on your crew: a crane operator, a rigger and yourself.
  • There are other workers on site, some of whom are using noisy power tools.
  • Another group is involved in trenching activities nearby.”
(a) What are the steps required to complete this job?

(b) What are the hazards linked to these job steps?


SECTION 6: HOW TO ASSESS RISKS

Learning Objective

Assess the risks linked to the hazards identified in a job using the Risk Assessment Matrix.

Making the Assessment

Factors in Risk Assessment

For each hazard an assessment is needed to find out what the level of risk is. The level of risk includes: (1) how serious the consequences of a hazard would be and (2) how likely it is to occur.

Questions to ask (Note: These questions are on the back of the “Memory Jogger”)
  1. 1. How serious could this be?
    • Could it cause someone to break a bone, be injured? Cause death?
    • Cause damage to equipment?
    • Contaminate the soil or the air?
    • Slow down work?
    • What could go wrong as a result of this hazard?
  2. How likely is it to happen?
    • Is it almost certain to happen?
    • Likely to happen?
    • Not very likely?
    • Almost impossible?
A Tool To Use
The RISK ASSESSMENT MATRIX will help you assess the level of risk. “Seriousness” is called the consequences. “Likelihood “ is called the probability.
What action you decide to take to control the risk presented by each hazard will depend upon the level of risk.

RISK= Consequences X Probability

Risk Assessment Matrix

Find the code for the consequence along the left side and code for the probability along top of the Risk Assessment Matrix. Draw a mental line across the diagram from the consequences code and down the diagram from the probability code. The point where they meet is the code for the assessment of the risk associated with the particular hazard.
The outcome of the risk assessment will help to determine the most appropriate kind of control to use.


Using the matrix, falls from elevation, traffic bumping ladder and eye and muscle strain have a high risk of resulting in injury. The other hazards represent a medium level of risk.


Section 6: Assess Risks - Questions

1. What are the two factors that you consider in assessing risk?

2. How do you use the Risk Assessment Matrix?

3. Use the answer for Question #3, Section 5 – Identify Hazards to assess the level of risk associated with each hazard identified. The situation is:

“You are supervising a crew that is unloading cable from a picker truck flatbed. You require the cable to be on the third level of a building that is in the early stages of construction. There are three people on your crew: a crane operator, a rigger and yourself. There are other workers on site, some of whom are using noisy power tools. Another group is involved in trenching activities nearby.”
HazardsConsequenceProbabilityRisk
Pinch Points
Cuts etc. from handling the cable
Load falling due to improper use of sling
Swing angles given the location of trenchingand the structure itself
Rolling and Slipping of Reel
Noise interrupting communication between operator and rigger



SECTION 7: HOW TO CONTROL RISKS

Learning Objective

Identify appropriate controls to put in place, to reduce risk to an acceptable level

Identify Appropriate Controls

  1. Hazard controls need to be appropriate to the level of risk. High risks need very tight controls.
  2. Appropriate controls must be put in place before work can proceed.
  3. There are some hazards that require specific expertise to identify or apply the appropriate controls. In these situations, supervisors or workers need to stop the task until the needed expertise is applied e.g. air quality test done by occupational hygienist, process equipment isolation by designated site representative.
  4. There are three types of controls. These are:
    • · Engineering controls, e.g. elimination, substitution, guards, process enclosures, automatic shutdown devices, ventilation, and communication devices.
    • Administrative controls, e.g. permits, procedures, communication, training and education and work scheduling to minimize the number of workers exposed.
    • Personal Protective Equipment e.g. fall protection, ear plugs and safety goggles.
  5. It may be necessary to stop work and get help if you can’t control the risk.
Questions to ask (Note: These questions are on the back of the “Memory Jogger”)
  1. Are permits, written practices, procedures, or work scheduling to reduce number of workers required? e.g. administrative controls
    • Take immediate steps to do this.
  2. What can I do to control the hazard?
    • Do I know how to put a control in place for this hazard?
    • Do I know all the required steps in the procedure, code of practice, permit, job plan etc.?
    • Are there any other controls that I think are needed? e.g. personal protective equipment (fall protection, ear plugs, safety goggles etc.), engineering controls (guards, automatic shutdown devices, enclosures, ventilation)
  3. Will the controls affect any other part of the job?
    • Does the control introduce a new hazard (e.g. exhaust from a heater when it is cold)
  4. Do I need to tell anyone else?
    • Is there anyone else who could be affected by these controls?
    • Is there a need to coordinate work being done by more than one person?
  5. Are emergency plans needed?
    • If the identified hazard has a high overall risk, emergency procedures may be needed.
  6. Is there someone that I could call to help?
    • Who has the knowledge and skill to help me?

Example: Replacing a Fluorescent Bulb


Controls to address risk:

  • Second person on job to steady ladders, control traffic and hand tools
  • Housekeeping (clean up dust)
  • Electrical isolation of light fixture
  • PPE...Hard-hat, gloves, goggles, dust mask if necessary
  • Warning signs or traffic pylons
  • Portable light source
Note that the last control, may create additional hazards that must be controlled. Every control measure has to be thought about to figure out if it might cause an additional hazard.


Section 7: Control Risks - Questions

1. Name the three kinds of controls and give an example of each.

2. What level of risk requires controls?

3. Given the hazards in the “moving cable” case study what controls should be put in place?
HazardsRiskControl
Pinch Points
Cuts etc. from handling the cable
Load falling due to improper use of sling
Swing angles given the location of trenchingand the structure itself
Rolling and Slipping of Reel
Noise interrupting communication between operator and rigger


SECTION 8: FILLING IN THE FORM

Learning Objective

Use a form to record Field Level Risk Assessment discussions.

Recording Field Level Risk Assessment Discussions

Reasons for Recording Discussions

  1. Writing down job steps, hazards, risk assessment and controls forces better thinking.
  2. The information can be reviewed to identify if work methods need to be improved to build in controls for hazards.
  3. If an incident occurs there will be a record to use in the investigation.

How to Record Discussions

The Construction Owners Association of Alberta has developed a form that can be used to record Field Level Risk Assessment discussions. It is straightforward and uses the basic steps of the Field Level Risk Assessment process. There is a copy of this form below and an example of a form that has been filled in. The example uses the “Changing a Fluorescent Lamp” example.

How to Fill in the Form :

  1. This is done at the start of every shift, when new people come on the work site, and when conditions or plans change.
  2. The supervisor/ foreman usually fills it in. Whoever fills it in should sign the bottom of the form.
  3. The assessment should deal with work that is to be done that day. The assessment should not cover work that will be done another day. Field Level Risk Assessment focuses on current conditions.
  4. Step 1: Identify Main Job Tasks. The list of job steps should include every step at a reasonable level of detail. The purpose is to identify hazards, not to do a detailed work analysis.
  5. Step 2: Identify Hazards. Identify and list the hazards in the same order as the job steps. You should be able to see how the hazards relate to the job steps. Consider hazards that relate to the health and safety of workers, to equipment and to the environment.
  6. Remember Field Level Risk Assessment does not replace all safe work planning. This form is not a place to repeat all the hazards that are inherent in doing the work. These hazards should have been dealt with in the normal safe work planning. Record the hazards that are there because of the current work site situation and conditions. Record the hazards that have not been discussed and for which controls have not been put in place.
  7. Step 3: Assess Risk. Assess the risk of each hazard using the Risk Assessment Matrix. Determine the seriousness of the consequences and the probability that the hazard will result in an incident. Record the assessment as high, medium or low for each hazard. List those hazards for which controls will be put in place. Describe the controls. Assign people to put the controls in place. Determine who has the expertise to check the controls. Record these names in the By Whom and Reviewed By space.
  8. If Follow-up is required to ensure the controls are adequate or there is a suggestion that permanently controls a recurring hazard, record these actions in the space for “Follow-up Required”. If the process identifies a required change to the procedures, this should be noted, so the reviewer can initiate the change.
  9. Whoever completes the form (e.g. supervisor, foreman) signs the Completed By line.
  10. A person assigned by the company to review the forms should sign the Supervisor/Leader Review line.


The Completed Form




Section 8: Filling in the Form - Questions

1. Name three reasons why it is important to document Field Level Risk Assessment Discussions.

2. Complete a Field Level Risk Assessment Form for the “moving cable” case study. Use the form below.

Hazard ID / Field Level Risk Assessment
Date:
Location: 		Project Name:
Company:
Step 1 - Identify Job StepsStep 2 - Identify HazardsStep 3 - Assess Risk
Step 4 - Control the Risks
HazardsControlsBy WhomChecked By


SECTION 9: SUPERVISING THE USE OF FIELD LEVEL RISK ASSESSMENT

Learning Objective

Make plans for using Field Level Risk Assessment with your crew on a daily basis.

How to Lead Field Level Risk Assessment Discussions

  1. The objective of having a crew discussion is to ensure that the work is conducted safely and to encourage workers to take greater responsibility for safety.
  2. Make sure that your crew understands the objectives of doing Field Level Risk Assessment. Reassure them of this purpose.
  3. Prepare for the meeting by thinking about the work to be done, reviewing safe work plans, considering the procedures/standards that affect the work to be done and doing your own analysis of the job steps, hazards, etc.
  4. Call the crew together and tell them they will be doing a Field Level Risk Assessment with you.
  5. Describe the work to be done and ask them to identify the job steps.
  6. Work through the Field Level Risk Assessment process together. Provide information yourself only when something is missed by the crew.
  7. Use questions to get information and ideas, and to clarify facts.
  8. Repeat the main points of the information the crew gives, using different words, to be sure you understood. Record the discussion on the form. Ensure the workers have access to the form.
  9. Use questions to increase each worker’s ability to critically examine possibilities.
  10. Summarize the assessment and plans of the group. Direct individuals who are responsible for putting controls in place to do so.
  11. Record any suggestions that the crew has for improving safety or work methods on an ongoing basis.
  12. Remind the crew to do the process while they are working and to stop if uncontrolled hazards are identified.
  13. Ask regularly how the discussions could be improved.

How to Coach Workers in the Use of Field Level Risk Assessment

Field Level Risk Assessment can present a challenge for some workers. It represents a change.

Field Level Risk Assessment needs:
  1. Workers to stop and think before doing even routine tasks.
    • Building this new habit will need persistent reminding from you.
  2. Critical thinking skills that may be underdeveloped in some workers.
    • Thinking through job steps to assess risks will take practice. Crew discussions will help develop this ability. Using questions to push thinking is essential.
  3. Individuals to accept responsibility for thinking and taking action.
    • Asking questions to help workers make assessments and put controls in place instead of telling them what to do will help them accept responsibility. Refraining from telling them what to do may be a bit challenging for you if this way of working is new to you and your crew. Recognizing and rewarding their efforts is important and will motivate them too.
  4. Workers to be willing to challenge authority and raise difficult issues.
    • It may be difficult for some workers to challenge how things are being done. Sometimes they will be right and sometimes they will be wrong. Showing that you are willing to listen and consider their ideas is important. Using their mistakes as times to learn rather than times for punishment, will encourage good thinking and help them develop the courage to act on their assessments.

How to Monitor the Use of Field Level Risk Assessment

  1. Lead Field Level Risk Assessment discussions every time something changes. This will help you to monitor how workers are thinking and using the process.
  2. Observe them as they change work activities and ask them what hazards they are considering.
  3. During inspections, audits or incident investigations, ask workers what hazards were identified for this job.
  4. Use formal performance discussions, if your company has these, to get feedback on their use of Field Level Risk Assessment.
  5. Use safety meetings to talk about doing Field Level Risk Assessment. This can be a time for both two-way feedback and encouragement.

How to Use Field Level Risk Assessment to Improve How Work Is Done

  1. Each time you have a Field Level Risk Assessment discussion with your crew you are taking time to plan and take action on doing work more safely. This will reduce loss from incidents. These discussions are time well spent.
  2. Each time you record a discussion you can write down the suggestions for ways to reduce hazards. Use these ideas when your crew is doing similar work. You will learn from these discussions, especially if you critically examine how you habitually approach a high-risk activity. With new thinking you may be able to find safer and more efficient ways to do the work.
  3. You may recognize trends or patterns in the hazards that you face regularly. These trends may be opportunities for ongoing controls, e.g. new or better procedures.


Section 9: Supervising the Use of Field Level Risk Assessment - questions

1. Describe one action you are going to take to:
(a) Lead effective Field Level Risk Assessment discussions.

(b) Coach workers in using Field Level Risk Assessments.

(c) Monitor the use of Field Level Risk Assessment.

(d) Use Field Level Risk Assessment to improve how work is done.



SECTION 10: BENEFITS OF FIELD LEVEL RISK ASSESSMENT

Learning Objective

List the benefits the company and workers of using Field Level Risk Assessment.

Benefits for Companies:

Below is a list of benefits that companies can experience as a result supporting their workers in the daily use of Field Level Risk Assessment.
  1. Improved productivity. Work methods improve.
  2. Direct cost savings
  3. WCB premium reduction
  4. Decreased costs to pass on to customers, a competitive edge
  5. Better data to improve company safety
  6. Reduction in the “emotional” costs of accidents and injuries
  7. Increase trust and confidence of workers
  8. Due diligence

For Workers:

Below are the benefits that workers experience as a result of habitually using Field Level Risk Assessment.
  1. Reduced probability of injuries
  2. More security for their families
  3. Improved morale
  4. Opportunity to make work place improvements
  5. Opportunity for recognition of increased contribution to the company
  6. Improved ability to think critically


Section 10: Benefits of Field Level Risk Assessment Questions

1. Name three benefits of using Field Level Risk Assessment, for companies.

2. Name three benefits that Field Level Risk Assessment provides workers.