Hazard identification, assessment and control

Hazards exist in every workplace, but how do you know which ones have the most potential to harm workers? By being able to identify hazards in your workplace, you are better prepared to control or eliminate them and prevent incidents, injuries, property damage and downtime. After all, you can’t fix problems you don’t know about.

Accurately identifying, assessing and controlling hazards is an essential part of a properly functioning occupational health and safety program. This course, which is offered by the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS), will help employers, managers and members of health and safety committees improve their health and safety performance. They will learn effective and proven methods of hazard identification, assessment and control. The three modules in this course cover essential topics such as hazard mapping, workplace inspections, risk assessment techniques and the hierarchy of controls.

Please note: This course does not cover complex hazard and risk assessment methods used in identifying hazards that could arise in the design stages of a plant, system or process.

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Topics include:

  • Defining hazard identification and risk assessment and why they are important.
  • Hazard identification methods including: hazard mapping, job hazard analysis, checklists and workplace inspections.
  • Two comprehensive risk assessment methods basic qualitative method and semi-qualitative method.
  • Selection and implementation of appropriate controls.
  • Hierarchy of controls.

Upon completion of this course, you will know how to:

  • Develop a comprehensive approach to hazard identification appropriate for your workplace.
  • Assess the hazards in your workplace and determine which ones should be eliminated or controlled first.
  • Identify the types of hazard controls that are commonly used in various situations.
  • Implement a hazard control program.
  • Assess the effectiveness of the control measures that you have implemented.

Average time to complete the three modules in this course is approximately three hours.

Target audience

  • managers and supervisors
  • health and safety committee members
  • maintenance and facilities staff

Pre-requisite

None

Delivery method

This is an online e-learning course. All you need is a computer, access to the internet and you are ready to go! This e-learning course lets you learn at your own pace, in your own environment and at your convenience.

Review process

CCOHS courses are unique in that they are developed by subject specialists and are reviewed by employers and representatives from labour and government. This ensures that their content and approach are unbiased and credible.