Supplementary Guidance9 Preliminary Hazard AnalysisConduct preliminary hazard analysis How to identify hazards in the Preliminary Hazards Analysis? Background A hazard is a source of potential harm or a situation with potential to cause loss, injury or illness.1

At this stage the client will have discussed the workplace with the designer. For large or complex workplaces a more structured approach may be necessary to be certain of establishing the breadth of workplace hazards. The Designing Safer Buildings and Structures guide suggests that a planned approach to ensure no hazards are omitted can be done by considering the following: Siting of building or structure, e.g. poor siting or lack of separation from neighbouring industry. High consequence hazards, e.g. dangerous goods storage, high energy hazards (electricity, temperature, pressure), and biological hazards. Systems of work, e.g. main and ancillary work activities (maintenance, cleaning, etc). Environmental conditions, e.g. inadequate ventilation, lighting and welfare facilities. Incident mitigation, e.g. inadequate egress, siting of assembly areas, inadequate emergency services access, inadequate fire protection/suppression. The emphasis at this stage is on the breadth of hazards and not necessarily the depth which is considered in systematic risk management.As a guide, the level of analysis should match the level of detail known about the design. Purpose To identify the breadth of large or complex hazards including the clients view about what solutions apply, e.g. appropriate Standards or Codes. Method A client may be using a consultant2 at this stage of the design. The designer should seek to be involved from the beginning of the process rather than at the final stages involving given outputs. It will be important that a systematic hazard identification process is used. If the client is not using a consultant and the client cannot provide the information systematically, external assistance may be needed to complete this step. TechniqueExplanation Hazard identification checklists (see Hazard Identification Prompt for Designer General Workplace Hazard Guidance Note) This is the simplest form of a systematic preliminary hazard analysis and is suited to workplaces that are not considered hazardous. It relies on the knowledge and the experience of the person completing the checklist and therefore should be completed by someone who is well-informed in the hazards associated with the workplace. When using checklists care must be taken not to limit the scope of review. Hazard identification workshops (see How do you conduct workshops Workshops are very effective at gathering the experience and knowledge of various people. They should be used at this stage where: There are high consequence hazards, or 1 Adapted from AS/NZS 4360 Risk Management 2 For complex designs clients may engage an engineering consultancy. Revised: J uly 2006 Designing Safer Buildings and Structures guide - Supplementary guidance 9 Page 1 Revised: J uly 2006 Designing Safer Buildings and Structures guide - Supplementary guidance 9 Page 2guidance note)The hazards may not be immediately obvious Knowledge about the hazard or risk controls is required from a number of different people. Step 1: Preparation Before you conduct a preliminary hazard analysis you should have defined the boundaries of your design and the scope of the analysis. Select an appropriate hazard identification prompt list. Other checklists can be found in Codes of Practice (e.g. Plant Safety, Manual Handling) and industry guidance material. Step 2: Identify hazards Create a list of potential hazards using the process below. Record the hazards on the attached preliminary hazard analysis worksheet. How could the workplace impact the surrounding area? How could neighbours (e.g. hazardous industry) impact the workplace? How could the building layout affect workplace hazards? Siting of buildings or structures Can people, deliveries and vehicles safely access the workplace? High consequence hazardsWhat Dangerous Goods, high energy hazards (e.g. electricity, temperature, pressure), or biological hazards could be present in the workplace? What are the main work activities and ancillary work activities (e.g. maintenance, cleaning, etc)? Systems of work (Workplace activities) Review each activity against the hazard identification checklists. Environment How could the workplace environment introduce hazards?(e.g. hazards may include inadequate ventilation, lighting and welfare facilities) How could potential incidents escalate? (e.g. inadequate fire protection/suppression.) Incident Mitigation How could emergency response be hindered? e.g. inadequate egress, siting of assembly areas, inadequate emergency services access. Step 3: Consultation Consult various stakeholders to ensure you have adequately identified the potential hazards.In some cases you may need to consult specialists to ensure you have adequate competency in dealing with the hazards (see the links below). Step 4: Further Research Conduct any further research required to ensure you adequately understand the potential hazards.This may include: Researching of information from similar workplaces. Examining company records of incidents and dangerous occurrences in the workplace (where available). Inspecting similar workplaces. Consulting health and safety representatives and employees (if possible). Reviewing industry information. Keeping up to date with information released about particular products and processes. Contact with other workplaces using similar processes. Revised: J uly 2006 Designing Safer Buildings and Structures guide - Supplementary guidance 9 Page 3Reviewing relevant Regulations and Codes of Practice. Output A comprehensive list of the breadth of hazards associated with the workplace in a register.At this stage you may also list potential Australian Standards and codes used to address these hazards and potential recommendations for the design. Communicate the identified hazards and controls to various stakeholders. Linkage http://www.workcover.vic.gov.au/vwa/home.nsf/pages/service_providers Revised: J uly 2006 Designing Safer Buildings and Structures guide - Supplementary guidance 9 Page 4Preliminary Hazard Analysis Worksheet Design Brief: Preliminary Hazard Analysis scope: Hazard Category Next level breakdown Hazards In-scope of Section 28? Potential source of control - Standards Industry/ workplace performance Is full risk management required? Siting of buildings or structures High consequence hazards Systems of work (workplace activities) Environment Incident mitigation Revised: J uly 2006 Designing Safer Buildings and Structures guide - Supplementary guidance 9 Page 5Hazard Identification Prompts for Designers - General workplace hazardsNote: This checklist is intended to stimulate brainstorming but it is not an exhaustive list.Depending on the workplace there may be hazard types not listed here.When identifying hazards be pessimistic and identify all hazards, insignificant hazards can be screened out later.This hazard prompt list is based on the principle of damaging energies.This principle assumes that injury or damage occurs as a result of uncontrolled damaging energy acting on or within a person. Damaging EnergyHazard High forcesBiomechanical Repetitive movement or sustained posture Explosion Fire Toxicity Incompatible materials Asphyxiant Dust Chemical

Fumes/Lack of ventilation Electrical energyElectrical wiring and equipment Fall from height Slips/trips Dropped objects Gravitational Structural collapse Moving material/equipment Mobile equipment Mechanical Cuts MicrobiologicalBacteria, viruses or other pathogens Noise and vibrationNoise High pressurePressure Low pressure ViolencePsychosocial Stress RadiationRadiation Thermal Heat/Cold HazardExamplesExamples of risk controls Working at height - Refer to Prevention of Falls Regulations and Code of Practice Fall from heightUnprotected edges, inadequate height access, ladders Allow work to be done at ground level, platforms, stairs, guard railing, height access equipment. Slips/tripsChange in levels, steps, slippery floor surface, poor lighting Appropriate ramps/steps, adequate lighting, surface finish/texture. Dropped objectsElevated work platforms, work near unprotected edges. Toe guards, barriers. Revised: J uly 2006 Designing Safer Buildings and Structures guide - Supplementary guidance 9 Page 6Structural collapseInadequate strength, fatigueAppropriate design limits Fire/Explosion - Refer to Hazardous Substances and Dangerous Goods Storage and Handling Regulations and Codes of Practice ExplosionFire or explosion from flammable solids, dusts, liquids or gases Combustible materials or liquidsHazardous area rated electrical equipment, controlled ignition sources, bunding, explosion venting. FireEscalation of fire, lack of fire prevention/suppression, inadequate emergency egress or assembly points. Fire resistant materials, reduction of combustibles, bulk/local storage areas and bunding, fire walls, area separation detection and alarms, fire suppression systems (e.g. sprinklers), extinguishers. Chemical - Refer to Hazardous Substances and Dangerous Goods Storage and Handling Regulations and Codes of Practice ToxicityStorage, transport or handling toxic solids, liquids or gases. Adequate containment and separation from persons, bulk/local storage areas and bunding, ventilation/extraction, detection and alarms. Incompatible materialsIncompatible dangerous goods (e.g. acids/caustics) causing high temperature or pressure or creating toxic byproducts Separation of incompatible dangerous goods, bulk/local storage areas and bunding AsphyxiantAsphyxiants such as carbon monoxide or exhaust fumes Gases that displace oxygen (e.g. nitrogen, carbon dioxide). Ventilation/extraction, detection and alarms Pressure - Refer to Plant Regulations and Code of Practice High pressureRelease of liquids (e.g. large tanks) or gases (tyres, gas cylinders) under pressure from impact, corrosion or vibration. Reduce pressure, separation and barriers, pressure rated equipment pipes, hoses and fittings, pressure relief devices. Low pressureTank/silo collapse as level or temperature drops, vacuum. Reduce pressure differential, pressure rating on vessels, pressure relief devices. Plant/Equipment - Refer to Plant Regulations and Code of Practice Moving material/equipmentIn-running nips, entanglement, shearing, striking, etc. Separation/guarding Mobile equipmentForklifts, cranes, vehicles, deliveries Separation of people and mobile equipment, barriers. CutsSharp edges, broken glass.Reduce or protect sharp edges.Use toughened glass. Electrical Refer to EnergySafe Victoria guidance Electrical wiring and equipmentOverhead cables near roadways, Underground cables, Switchrooms, Electrical equipment, switch boxes. Locate roads/access away from overhead cables, fencing, signs and restricted access. Physical Environment A number of Regulations and Codes of Practice may apply NoiseNoisy equipment, lack of attenuation. Reduction of noise at source, isolation, attenuating materials, Revised: J uly 2006 Designing Safer Buildings and Structures guide - Supplementary guidance 9 Page 7separation of equipment from persons. Heat/ColdCool rooms, draughts from ventilation system Furnaces, heaters, sun Air conditioning, ventilation, fans. Insulation, heat guards, separation distances from workers, shade structures RadiationSun/UV, electromagnetic, Ionising, Infra-red, Lasers Shade structures, UV protective glass, separate radiation emitting devices from persons by separation and protective structures. DustDust generated by equipment or storage and handling of material. Separation, ventilation. Fumes/Lack of ventilationLocation of air con intake, engine exhaust, process by-products, burners. Separation, ventilation. Inclement weatherSlippery surfaces, flooding, wind, lightning Surface materials, drainage, design loadings for wind, lightning conduction. Manual Handling Refer to Manual Handling Regulations and Code of Practice High forcesLifting, pushing, pulling, holding, throwing and carrying. Repetitive movement or sustained posture Packing, typing, assembling, cleaning and sorting, using hand tools and operating equipment EnvironmentSee Environment hazards above (e.g. climatic conditions may increase risk of injury). Microbiological Bacteria, viruses or other pathogens Legionella, blood products, wasteDry air conditioning, Psychosocial - Refer to Prevention of Bullying and Violence at Work guidance note ViolenceViolent customers, illegal activities (e.g. robberies), access at night. Isolation, separation from potentially violent customers, distress alarms, lighting, reducing isolation of areas. StressCan be affected by a range of factors Other Are there any other hazards not considered?