Risk Assessment for OHS Hazards

The University's OHS management system focuses on the effective control of the risks posed by the hazardous materials or activities that may be involved in its research and teaching undertakings. The risk in question is that posed to,

safety (immediate injury to a person),
health (disease development in a person),
the Environment,

by the use of the hazardous materials or the undertaking of the hazardous activities.

The process by which the Budget Unit, through the supervisor, establishes effective control of risk, involves the following explicit steps:

a) identify the hazard(s),

b) put in place appropriate controls for the hazard,

c) assess the residual risk posed by the hazard with the controls in place,

d) document the risk judgement.

If all reasonably practicable controls have been put in place and the risk remains too high, the supervisor should not allow the activity to be undertaken.

See OHS Models

Hazard information, recommended controls and risk assessment guidance has been developed by the University for the range of hazardous materials used and hazardous activities undertaken. These guidelines incorporate relevant legislative requirements. The Budget Unit, through the supervisor, must ensure these guidelines are followed in undertaking the risk assessment and must document the outcome.

General OHS Hazards Risk Assessment