32 HEALTH AND SAFETY
IOPSA has many templates of these types of Continuous Risk Assessments and will make them available to all plumbers who would like to implement a Continuous Risk Assessment Programme within their organisation . There are :
• DSTIs – Daily Supervisory Task Instructions
• PTOs – Planned Task Observations
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Continuous assesment is key .
Here is a quick overview of each of the above templates : DSTIs – Daily Supervisory Task Instructions are completed on a daily basis before any work stats . As a team , each employee guided by the supervisor theoretically goes over that specific day ’ s job and answers these questions :
• Current job – list main steps of task ?
• What are the hazards – job and environment ?
• List of controls required \ implemented ?
In developing hazard awareness , memory joggers such as inspection checklists , pre-use checklists , and critical part and paths checklists , can be produced from management controls that are a product of issue-based Risk Assessment . Planned Task Observations could also be conducted on an ongoing basis .
These types of Continuous Risk Assessments must be performed at an operational level , where the system , process and activities are monitored on a continuous basis by the operational management and first line supervisors . It must not be sophisticated and should mainly be conducted by first line supervisors .
Formal training in this regard is essential . The main emphasis is on “ hazard awareness through hazard identification ”.
Now they have a list of steps they need to follow , the information on potential risks and what to do to keep themselves safe .
You may think , well isn ’ t this just the same information that is on the issue-based risk assessment ? In some cases , you will be right , but often we find that due to change in circumstances , new or overlooked hazards and risks are identified and can now be mitigated . This information is vital to a risk assessors who may not be available on every site and at every job being performed . This information is then fed back to the issue-based risk assessment to be reviewed and amended if necessary .
The PTOs – Planned Task Observations – are a tool used by a supervisor at regular intervals and is designed to give the supervisor insight into “ HOW ” work is being carried out . The document is sued at a site where work is being undertaken by a team . Using the information received from the issue based and continuous risk assessments the supervisor now ‘ observes ’ the task being performed and answers a few pre-determined questions and also gives comments on observations of the task . The goal ? To identify if the ‘ Steps ’ outlined are the correct order , safety manner of working or if adjustments need to be made to ensure effectiveness , efficiency and most of all , continuous health , and safety implementation .
PDCA
Continuous improvement
All of the above forms a part of the bigger P . D . C . A | Plan . Do . Check and Act . Continuous Improvement strategy for Occupational Health and Safety – want to know more about it ? Stay tuned to Plumbing Africa Magazine for next month ’ s article on PDCA – The ‘ how to ’ guide . PA
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www . plumbingafrica . co . za @ plumbingonline @ plumbingonline @ PlumbingAfricaOnline July 2024 Volume 30 I Number 5