How To Identify Hazards
Rarely is an ergonomics injury a simple case of one single event or cause.
Look for Possible Hazards
More frequently, many contributing events tend to line up to cause hazardous conditions and unsafe behaviors.
It's important to ask "who, what, where, why, when, how, and where" questions. For instance, ask the following questions as part of the analysis process:
- What can go wrong? Could the worker strain a back muscle?
- What are the consequences? Could the injury be serious, preventing the worker from continuing work?
- How could it happen? An injury could most likely occur due to excessive weight or improper lifting techniques.
- What are other contributing factors? Lack of training in proper lifting techniques, inadequate workstation design, or workload throughout the day could all contribute.
- How likely is it that the hazard will occur? If the worker does not perform this job regularly, or is not strong enough to lift the weight, it's more likely the worker will be injured.
Let's see what identifying hazards and possible consequences look like in a JHA:
JOB: Placing heavy containers on the conveyor platform
| BASIC JOB STEP | HAZARDS - POSSIBLE INJURIES | PREVENTIVE MEASURES |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Position your body over the heavy container in a "squat" posture with knees bent and back vertical. | Improper posture. Back muscle strain or sprains. | |
| 2. Grasp hold on each side of the container. | Improper grip, lack of hand-holds. Hand, arm, shoulder strains. | |
| 3. Lift the container to the conveyor platform. | Overexertion. Back muscle and spine injuries. | |
| SAFE JOB PROCEDURE | ||
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
4-4. Why is it important to analyze injuries by asking who, what, where, why, when, and how questions?
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