Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00420:front:0:p15
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2016L00420
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 39545–42494

and Appendix G provide an overview and checklist of the risk assessment process.

3.1 Decide who should do the assessment
Assessments are based on a thorough understanding of what happens, or might happen, in the workplace and should be carried out by a person or persons who have:
    * a practical understanding of the WHS Regulations, codes of practice and relevant guidance materials
    * an understanding of the work processes involved at the workplace
    * enough resources to gather information, consult the appropriate people, review existing records and examine the workplace.
The person or persons should also have abilities to:
    * interpret the information on the label and SDS of the hazardous chemical
    * observe the conditions of work and to foresee potential problems
    * communicate effectively and consult with workers, contract workers, managers and technical specialists
    * draw all the information together in a systematic way to form valid conclusions about exposures and risks
    * accurately report the findings to all parties concerned.
A single person such as a supervisor may be suitably competent to perform simple assessments. In more complex cases, several persons representing a variety of skills may need to be involved in collecting and assessing the information. This may also include workers and their health and safety representatives.

Seeking external assistance
In some cases, it may be necessary to seek external professional assistance to assist or undertake risk assessments. External assistance may be required to:
    * design an air monitoring strategy
    * collect and analyse samples
    * interpret monitoring and testing results.
External professional assistance may also be required in the design, installation and maintenance of control measures, such as ventilation systems or fire protection systems.

3.2 Decide what sort of risk assessment is appropriate
The type of risk assessment that should be conducted will depend on the nature of the work being performed.
  a)      A basic assessment consists of:
    * reviewing the label and the SDS of the hazardous chemicals and assessing the risks involved in their use
    * deciding whether the hazardous chemicals in the workplace are already controlled with existing control measures, as recommended in the SDS or other reliable sources, or whether further control measures are needed.
  For example, the SDS and label report that a cleaning agent may have potential skin irritation effects and may liberate a toxic gas when in contact with certain other chemicals, while in itself it is non-volatile. The assessment indicates that workers who handle this chemical will require control measures, including the use of protective clothing and gloves and that the chemical must be kept away from incompatible materials. Without such an assessment, skin irritation
  or intoxication by toxic gas when handling the cleaning agent could