Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00422:body:0:p10
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00422
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 22854–25716

falling, crushing, trapping, cutting, puncturing, shearing, abrasion or tearing
    * create hazardous conditions due to harmful emissions, fluids or gas under pressure, electricity, noise, radiation, friction, vibration, fire, explosion, moisture, dust, ice, hot or cold parts, and
    * cause injury due to poor ergonomic design, for example if operator controls are difficult to reach or require high force to operate.
Other factors to consider include:

    * the condition of the plant, for example its age, its maintenance history and how frequently the plant is used.
    * the suitability of the plant, for example is it actually being used for its intended purpose?
    * the location of the plant, for example what is its impact on the design and layout of the workplace and are workers able to access the plant without risk of slips, trips or falls?
    * abnormal situations, for example what abnormal situations, misuse or fluctuation in operating conditions can you foresee?
A checklist to assist in identifying hazards associated with plant is at Appendix B.

Review safety information
Information about hazards, risks and control measures relating to plant in your workplace can be obtained from:
    * manufacturers, importers or suppliers of the plant
    * maintenance technicians or specialists such as engineers
    * your workers
    * WHS regulators, unions and other organisations
    * businesses or undertakings similar to your own, and
    * technical standards.

Review incident records and data
Check your records of workplace injuries and illness, dangerous incidents, plant inspection reports and maintenance logs, workers' compensation records and the results of any investigations to collect information about plant hazards.

2.2 Assessing the risks
A risk assessment involves considering what could happen if someone is exposed to a hazard combined with the likelihood of it happening. A risk assessment can help you determine:
    * how severe a risk is
    * whether existing control measures are effective
    * what action you should take to control the risk, and
    * how urgently the action needs to be taken.

A risk assessment is unnecessary if you already know the risk and how to control it.

To assess the risk associated with plant hazards you have identified, you should consider the following:

What is the potential impact of the hazard?
    * How severe could an injury or illness be? For example, lacerations, amputation, serious or fatal crushing injury, burns or loss of hearing.
    * What is the worst possible harm the plant hazard could cause?

How likely is the hazard to cause harm?
    * Is it highly likely or unlikely to happen?
    * How frequently are workers exposed to the hazard? For example, if plant is used constantly with five operators per shift and three 8-hour shifts and there is a lack