Risk Assessment on a Vehicle Processing Factory Workplace - Case Study Example

Introduction Risk assessment refers to the process of carrying out an assessment or investigation to understand the risks that are associated with a particular place. The process entails a number of steps (Donald & David, 2008). There are terminologies which are associated with the assessment and needs to be understood. These include risk which refers to the actual probability of the occurrence of an adverse effect in a certain place or to someone operating from a certain place (Douglas, 2011). It should be noted that risk is classified as quantitative measure and is expressed as probabilistic measure (Donald & David, 2008). RISK= EXPOSURE x HAZARD Exposure refers to the extent to which a certain hazard has been extended to the people and it is also measured in terms of quantitative measure. It should be noted that a person can only be exposed if a hazard is present in a certain place in a certain form of dimension whereby this particular person can be harmed (Donald & David, 2008). A hazard is the properties of a given substance, activity or object which makes it a potential for some form of adverse or even harmful effect once exposed to people (Douglas, 2011). Every project that is initiated or is to be initiated is associated with some form of risk as well as hazards and so hazards which means that the team leaders or rather the project managers must have a risk assessment done for that project as part of the initial planning for the project (Douglas, 2011). Risk assessment is an activity that is done by the use of a number of principles as well as steps to ensure the project that is to be undertaken achieves positive results (Hazel & Jacki, 1997). A project can face so many economic crises if initiated without a risk assessment because of the fact that a series of risks can occur leading the project to an ultimate failure hence it does not accomplish the laid down objectives, goals and mission or vision (Graham &Burrel, 1997). The Toyota motor assembling factory This is a factory that deals with the assembling of vehicle parts into a vehicle. it is locate in the outskirts of Hiroshima town. The company contains a total number of forty employees since it is a new on (Donald & David, 2008). The manager of the company has reviewed some arrangements for the company’s safety and health process and found out that there has been a risk assessment done for the storage and distribution of its products as well as the necessarily measured taken, in actual sense there is no record that shows the risk assessment was done for the process of manufacturing. Therefore there was a need for the risk assessment to be done and have the findings implemented the soonest possible to ensure there is no probability of risk occurrence (Graham & Burrel, 1997). The work of processing is done in the factory’s special room which contains a number of very important sophisticated but very dangerous machines which can easily be a source of risk for the employees working in the factory (Douglas, 2011). Their work of the people working in the department entails running of these machines and also the use of hazardous chemicals; materials as well as electrical energy which can be very dangerous if not well used or if one handles it without care or caution (Donald & David, 2008). This means that they are involved in a lot of repair work, electrical work and machinery work a task that entails great knowledge in automobile machinery, welding and use of welding kit as well as a secure place for the storage of flammable and solvents used as materials in the factory (Hazel & Jacki, 1997). Risk assessment methodology used There are some principles that are involved in the process of risk assessment irrespective of which risk needs to be assessed (Douglas, 2011). The whole process entails the management of risk as well as the assessment of the risk. It should be noted that the development of the risk assessment report must be in two forms namely the qualitative aspects as well as the quantitative aspects (Donald & David, 2008). Quantitative entails the use of the standard cost as well as probability measure while the qualitative measure entails the development of the risks exposure matrix (Haimes, 2009). Principles of risk assessment and management The core principle as far as risk management is concerned is the issue of discovering all the uncertainties associated with the project this is because any factor that will remain unknown will affect the positive outcome of the project (Haimes, 2009). Global perspective: this is whereby the whole situation is viewed in a large context to ensure all the risks are exhaustively dealt with. identification of both the potential impact of the adverse results as well as the potential value (Douglas, 2011). Forward view: this involves the process of anticipating any possible outcome, identification of the uncertainty and management of resources accordingly (Hazel & Jacki, 1997). Open communication: This involves the freedom to convey information to all people working at every level of the project (Donald & David, 2008). This is because all of them are part of the project and are likely to be affected by the happenings in the factory. the individual voice of everyone in the project should be valued (Hazel & Jacki, 1997). Integrated management: this entails the management of risks as part of the project management. Continuous process: it is a process that is continuous in that risks have to be continually identified and managed as well as maintenance of constant vigilance (Douglas, 2011). Shared product of the vision: this is whereby since everyone understands the vision all people are in oneness concerning the purpose and they have a collective responsibility as well as ownership for the project and so the rick assessment enables them all to focus on the results of the project. Teamwork: the assessment must be done in a teamwork whereby all people should collaborate with the one carrying out the assessment to help in generating the most import ant information. The actual risk assessment Risk assessment of the factory is a very important activity in the effort of trying to protect the business as well as the employees (Douglas, 2011). This will also help the factor management to be able to put their full focus on the risks that are likely to affect the factory workplace. Like ensuring there are no scrap metals left lying on the floor as well as no spillages all over the floor all of which can be very harmful to the people that are working there (Donald & David, 2008). The legal requirements relating to risk assessment includes the fact that the law expects the company or organization that is taking part in the risk assessment not eliminate any form of risk from the assessment. No matter how small or irrelevant it seems (Douglas, 2011). The company or organization is expected to actually protect the health of the workers as much as it is concerned with the aspects of the machinery (Hazel & Jacki, 1997).The process of risk assessment entails five steps namely Hazards identification process Decisions on the people at risk and the ways in which they may be harmed Risks evaluation and the decision making process on the ways of taking precautions Recording of the findings as well as the ways of implementation Reviewing the assessment as well as updating where need be. What hazards are likely to be there? Who is likely to be affected by the hazards? What is being done about it? What actions need to be further done? Actions to be done by whom? Actions to be done by when? The unfamiliarity with the factory as well as unfamiliarity with the job The new employees and visitors like students and others may suffer some form of injuries because of unfamiliarity with the factory like the machinery accidents and presence of scrap metals There are some regulations to show the new employees around the factory. Employees have been regulated on where to go and when to got to such places within the factory The operation manager does some routine inspection and checks to ensure that the workers are working safely Speaking and enlightening all the new employees as well as any visitor visiting the factory to let them know about this kind of risk (Keith & David, 2009). Company’s awareness for all employees on the issue of risks More frequent supervision by the operation managers to the new employees when in work as well as to the visitors when in the factory(Keith & David, 2009) The employees as well as the operation manager and immediately Moving very heavy object like metals The employees may be injured by the falling objects Employees trained on how to operate the machinery and handle the heavy machinery(Mark &William, 2007.) Employees trained on how to drive as well as lift the trucks There should be a day for training the employees on how to lift as well as carry the heavy loads around the factory (Stark, 2001) Operation manager as well as the employees immediately Sharpening tool The employees by being pricked Employees are trained on how to use the sharp objects during the fitting as well as cutting process Sharp objects handled and used by the trained employees Further training on the precautions to take when using the sharp objects especially the new technological (Mark &William, 2007) The operation manager Immediately a new object is introduced Immediately to a new employee Working at great heights employees Access equipments are made available like the ladder Training should be done to help the employees be able to work on very high heights. The operation managers immediately Manual handling Employees are likely to suffer from back pains due to serious straining as well as handling very heavy loads Use of manual handling aids like the trolleys, truck lifters and wheelbarrow Employees training on manual lifting techniques Better machinery and more to be purchased for helping the employees in handling the heavy loads. The management immediately noise The employees as well as the visitors visiting the factory as likely to be affected by the noise from the factory due to the running machines Use of personal protective equipments Proper compartment of the factory to ensure jobs involving the production of noise are done in a separate place (Stark, 2001) Use of ear defenders All employees are provided an advised on the right hearing protection to use Proper maintenance of the machines to be able to work well No more action will be done as with regard to the issue but only keep advising the employees The management All the time. That is continuous Electricity The employees are likely to suffer some accidents like shock and burns injuries due to some electrical faults as well as improper installations. The employees are supposed to have a discussion on the issues of electrical safety before they engage on any job (Stark, 2001) Inspection of all the electrical appliances before they are used Inspections of all machinery and equipment before they are put into use More training on the use of the electricity The management regularly machinery The employees as well as the visitors are likely to suffer some injuries as a result of some unguarded as well as the parts of the machinery moving Inspection of machinery Regular inspection of the machinery to ensure any problem is rectified All the parts of the machinery that are very dangerous are to be guarded following the manufacturer’s standards Inspection of the machinery every month to ensure they are well maintained All machinery that are bought should be very well inspected before they are put into use to ensure they are in good state as well as they are made in the right standards (Stark, 2001) There should be someone in charge of ensuring the machinery guards are well maintained and also to check the power frequently (Peter, 1994). All the employees must be trained on the importance of guards as well as how to know they are in order. The employees as well as the management regularly fire Any staff that is possibly trapped may really suffer some fatal injuries as a result of the smoke or even burns incase there is a fire outbreak Fire risk assessment done frequently The employees are well taught on the issue of fire outbreak Risk assessment for the fire should be done on monthly basis (Peter, 1994.) Installation of fire alarms Installation of fire extinguishers Installation of emergency escape doors in the factory The operations managers as well as the employees immediately Asbestos and other hard metals matter The employees as well as the visitors in the factor are likely to be exposed to the asbestos fibers, which may be great risk to their lungs. These may be released during the process of maintenance as well as the process of manufacturing the employees may inhale these particles on the process of carrying out their duties. The employees as well as the visitors are provided with protective equipments like nose masks The employees or the management is expected to check on the status of the insulating boards in the factory at least twice per month There should be proper insulations of the boards that are also very well marked “danger” (Peter, 1994) Advising the employees to report any every damages done accidentally with an immediate effect (Stark, 2001) The use of better nose and mouth masks to avoid the employees as well as the visitors from inhaling the asbestos and the other heavy metals particles. The management, visitors as well as the employees Immediately and the process is ongoing Confined spaces The employees as well as any other visitors visiting the factory Weekly assessment of the confirmed spaces There should be no work done in the confined spaces not unless there is not other option. This is whereby jobs like degreasing the machines or plants should be done by specialist hire and who have the knowledge and skills to handle the work (Stark, 2001). All jobs that are associated by the working on the confined spaces must first have a risk assessment done before the specialist indulge in them. The management immediately Trips and slips The employees and any other visitor are likely to be affected. They may incur injuries if they slip on some spillages or even trip on the sharp objects There is good house keeping being practiced in the factory Keeping the floor in good condition by ensuring there is no spillage Ensuring there is good lighting in the factory Pallets and other materials must be stored in the right places (Nick, 1998) The employees as well as other people in the factory must wear the right shoes with good grip to avoid tripping God and better house keeping to ensure there is order (Nick, 1998) Employees and management immediately Reference Donald,H & David, W. 2008.natural disaster and disasters. New York: Taylor & Francis Douglas, L. 2011. The risk assessment handbook.: a complete guide for performing security risk assessment. Canada: Taylor & Francis Graham,A &Burrel, E. 1997.natural hazards: explanation and integration. oxford: oxford university press. Haimes, Y. 2009. Risk Modeling, assessment, and management. New Yolk: John Wiley &sons Hazel, K. $ Jacki, P. 1997.Good practice in risk assessment and risk management 2: protection, rights and responsibilities, Volume 2. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, Keith, S & David, P. 2009. Environmental hazards: assessing risk and reducing disaster. New York: Taylor & Francis Mark, G. &William, T. 2007. Risk assessment for environmental heath. New Yolk : John Wiley &sons. Nick, W. 1998.risk assessment: the human dimension. London: Royal Society of Chemistry. Peter, K. 1994. Risk assessment: principles and applications for hazardous waste and related sites. London: William Andrew Stark, P. 2001. Last breath: Cautionary tales from the limits of human endurance.  Australia: Ballantine. Read More