2. THE RISK MANAGEMENT PROCESS
2.3 Controlling the risks
THE HIERARCHY OF CONTROL MEASURES Some control measures are more effective than others. Control measures can be ranked from the highest level of protection and reliability to the lowest. This ranking is known as the hierarchy of control.
You must always aim to eliminate a hazard, which is the most effective control. If this is not reasonably practicable, you must minimise the risk by one or a combination of the following:
•Substitution – for example, using a mechanical demolition method rather than a manual method, if it is safer
• Isolation – for example, use concrete barriers to separate pedestrians and powered mobile plant to reduce the risk of collision
• Engineering controls – for example, fitting an open cab excavator with a falling objects protective structure to minimise the risk of being struck by a falling object.
If risk remains, it must be minimised by implementing administrative controls, so far as is reasonably practicable, for example install warning signs and establish an exclusion zone around the demolition work. Any remaining risk must be minimised with suitable personal protective equipment( PPE), such as providing workers with hard hats, steel cap boots and high visibility vests.
Administrative control measures and PPE rely on human behaviour and supervision and used on their own, tend to be the least effective in minimising risks.
Factors that should be considered when choosing suitable control measures include:
• items of plant and equipment – large structures may require scaffolding or powered mobile plant to work on suspended floors
• stockpiling arrangements at the workplace, for example the location of demolished material to control dust
• transporting the demolished material, including access to the workplace, the length and nature of the haul route, and the type of load shifting equipment to be used.
Chapters 4-6 of this Code provide information on control measures for demolition work.
2.4 Reviewing control measures
The control measures that are put in place to protect health and safety should be regularly reviewed to make sure they are effective.
Regulation 38
You must review your control measures and, if necessary, revise them:
• when the control measure is not effective in controlling the risk
• before a change at the workplace that is likely to give rise to a new or different health and safety risk that the control measure may not effectively control
• if a new hazard or risk is identified
• if the results of consultation indicate that a review is necessary, or
• if a health and safety representative requests a review.
CODE OF PRACTICE | DEMOLITION WORK 7