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Safety

Worked Example of a Risk Assessment

We will go through a worked example of a risk assessment to help explain how a risk assessment works in your workplace, university, at home etc.

You have been asked to dis-assemble a desktop computer and replace its power supply.

Scope

The scope will be the repair of a desktop computer replacing its power supply

In workplaces, you will often find the risk assessment will require you to add the steps in your work. This will help you go through each stage to determine hazards encountered along the way.

We will break this job down to:

  • Relocate computer to workbench
  • Dis-assemble computer
  • Locate power supply
  • Unplug internal leads
  • Remove power supply
  • Install new power supply
  • Connect internal leads up to new power supply
  • Bench test the computer to check fan and running operation
  • Re-assemble computer
  • Relocate computer back to its original location

Hazards

What are the things that can hurt or impact you or nearby people?

  • Electricity - The computer may be still plugged in
  • Sharp edges - These can cut your skin
  • Weight of the computer - It may be quite heavy
  • Dust - The computer may have build up of dust
  • Tight space - The leads inside may be hard to get to
  • Tools - Screwdrivers and possibly side cutters for cable ties can harm you
  • Capacitors - Can blow up if polarity is wrong causing loud noises and debris to fly towards you
  • Heat - Heatsinks can burn you if the computer is run for a while
  • Fans - Can possibly cut you or fling tools out like a projectile

Assess the risk

How will these hazards impact you and what it is likelihood and severity without any controls at all?

  • Electricity - You can get a shock. It is unlikely but the consequence could be catastrophic (death)
  • Sharp edges - Cuts to your hands. It is likely and consequence may be 1st aid (minor)
  • Weight of the computer - Strains. It is likely and consequence is time off work or uni (medium)
  • Dust - Breathing difficulty. It is likely and the consequences may be 1st aid (minor)
  • Tight space - Strains and cuts/bruises. Likely to happen and consequence may be 1st aid (minor)
  • Tools - Cuts and stabs. Likely to happen and consequence may be medical treatment for stabbing (medium)
  • Capacitors - Loss of hearing and projectile causing loss of eyesight. Rare but consequence may be permanent injury (major)
  • Heat - Burns. Unlikely as you will be testing for a short time but consequence may be medical treatment for stabbing (medium)
  • Fans - Cuts. Likely because you will have the cover off. Consequences may be 1st aid (minor)

Score the risk

We will look up the risk matrix to get a score. Remember this is for completely no controls.

  • Electricity = HIGH
  • Sharp edges = MEDIUM
  • Weight of the computer = HIGH
  • Dust = MEDIUM
  • Tight space = MEDIUM
  • Tools = HIGH
  • Capacitors = HIGH
  • Heat = MEDIUM
  • Fans = MEDIUM

Control Measures

What control measure can we put in to reduce the risk.

  • Electricity = We can unplug the computer and ensure the computer is off and power supply is not energised (Isolation)
  • Sharp edges = We can wear gloves (PPE)
  • Weight of the computer = If it is heavy we can get a 2nd person to help or use a dolly platform to transport the computer (Engineering)
  • Dust = We can wear a face mask (PPE)
  • Tight space = We can work on easy accessible plugs 1st then move to more deeper plugs and use gloves (Administration and PPE)
  • Tools = We can ensure we know how to use the tool correctly and use the right tool and wear gloves (Administration and PPE)
  • Capacitors = When powering up, we can place a guard/barrier and wear safety glasses (Barrier and PPE)
  • Heat = We can minimise run time and use gloves (Administration and PPE)
  • Fans = Do not use tools in the inspection phase apart from maybe temperature probes or multimeters. Guards and safety glasses and gloves will help (Barrier, Administration and PPE)

Re-Score the risk after control measures implemented

We will look up the risk matrix to get a score. This is where we have control in place like safety glasses etc.

  • Electricity = HIGH -≫ LOW (we isolated the hazard)
  • Sharp edges = MEDIUM -≫ LOW (we used gloves)
  • Weight of the computer = HIGH -≫ LOW (we used a 2nd person to help us)
  • Dust = MEDIUM -≫ LOW (we used a face mask)
  • Tight space = MEDIUM -≫ LOW (we planned our work and minimised risk of straining)
  • Tools = HIGH -≫ LOW (we are competent in our tools and wear gloves and glasses
  • Capacitors = HIGH -≫ LOW (we turned the open side of the computer away from us and wore safety glasses)
  • Heat = MEDIUM -≫ LOW (we only powered up the computer for a short time and wore gloves)
  • Fans = MEDIUM -≫ LOW (we did not need to use tools and we wore glasses and gloves)

Implement Controls

We will implement the following in our task.

  • Unplugged the computer when removing and fitting power supply
  • We wore gloves and safety glasses
  • We used a face mask until we fitted the new power supply
  • We used a 2nd person to help carry the computer if it was too heavy or awkward for us
  • We planned our work
  • We used the right tools that we are competent in
  • We placed a barrier between us when powering up the new power supply to avoid capacitor risks on reverse polarity

Examples of Hazards


Risk Matrix