A risk overview is a diagnostic tool, used by companies and organizations, that establishes the general working conditions in order to establish which are the critical points of danger.
Critical points are considered to be potential situations in which the physical integrity of one or more persons may suffer some type of consequence or damage. These can be work-related illnesses or accidents at work. On the other hand, risk is called any probability or possibility that an event occurs that could expose one or more people to any type of danger..
A risk overview serves to assess the general conditions of "dangerousness" in a company or organization. This analysis allows prioritizing risks as well as obtaining valuable information about working conditions and workers.
The risk panorama is of fundamental importance to prevent accidents, injuries or situations that may affect the physical integrity of one or more workers.
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A risk overview is prepared taking as a starting point the type of productive operation of a company. This means studying what the organization does. Subsequently, a second global analysis is carried out about the work environment.
In this initial stage, fundamental elements are taken into consideration that serve to diagnose the current situation of the company. Objects and situations that are considered potentially dangerous or harmful to the health and physical integrity of people are identified, located and valued.
The variables that are mainly considered are:
- General physical characteristics of the work environment, such as the facilities, equipment, tools or elements in the workplace.
- Nature of the potential dangers associated with the above (physical, chemical or biological) and their level of intensity. The intensity of a hazard is associated with the level of concentration or presence of the element.
- Study of the procedures for the use of potentially dangerous elements that may affect the health or safety of workers.
- Organize and order the tasks of the workers taking into account the above points, as well as the ergonomic and psychosocial aspects.
The study and assessment of potential risks in an area where work activities are carried out is essential. This is used to evaluate an action plan to avoid situations that are harmful to people's health and safety..
Both the management of the company or organization, as well as the specialists, play a fundamental role in the preparation of the diagnosis. But more than anything, it is the workers themselves who must actively collaborate to keep risk scenarios up-to-date..
Risk overviews are usually carried out following a series of steps structured as follows:
1- The geographical location of the workplace is established and evaluated.
2- A field work is carried out, which consists of observing the establishment and the positions where the workers work.
3- Information is collected about what could be risk factors for health and safety.
4- The information collected is organized centrally.
5- The data obtained are analyzed and each risk is given an assessment (from less to more dangerous).
6- Risk factors are prioritized.
7- A work plan is executed that helps reduce risk factors as well as establish protocols in case the risk materializes.
8- A periodic monitoring of working conditions is carried out, which helps to modify the risk panorama (if necessary).
Once the necessary procedures for the initial recognition of the work situation have been carried out, the data collected is analyzed by specialists. This analysis reveals situations that may threaten health or safety, but each one must be evaluated on a scale of danger..
The assessment of occupational risks is done as follows:
1- Risk assessment: in this instance, a rating is assigned to each hazard, taking into account the security controls currently in force. The effectiveness of the control, the probability of the risk and its consequences are also considered.
2- Define criteria: in this instance, what is known as "risk acceptability" is defined..
3- Define acceptability of risk: Once the criteria for the acceptability of the risk are established, it is considered whether the current procedures are acceptable to keep the risk under control and if they comply with the legal requirements.
There are specific formulas for the consideration of risks, which evaluate a series of variables in order to establish the level of probability that a dangerous event will happen.
The risk scenarios collect valuable information and after its study it is compiled in a specifically designed spreadsheet..
In a risk overview, data such as:
- Company name.
- Number of workers.
- Date of realization.
- Person responsible for the panorama.
Likewise, in that report you will find information that refers to the location of the company and / or jobs, risk factors and from which source they come, the effects on the health or safety of workers, what areas are exposed and for how long.
The degree of danger will be evaluated taking into consideration the consequences, the degree of exposure and the probability index. This is done on a scale of 1 to 10 for consequences, probabilities, and exposure time..
1: Minor injuries (bruises, bumps).
4: Injuries involving disability (not permanent).
6: Injuries involving permanent disability.
10: Death.
1: There are no records of the event or it has not happened in years.
4: It could happen, it would be strange.
7: Completely possible, nothing strange.
10: It is the most expected result.
1: Remotely possible.
4: Occasionally, once a week.
6: often, sometimes.
10: It happens continuously.
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