WHAT IS A TASK RISK ASSESSMENT (TRA)?

This risk assessment is conducted to determine the hazards and risks associated with a specific task that is being performed. Using a standardised methodology, tasks are placed into a task inventory and potential workplace hazards that may be encountered while performing each task are identified. Their associated risks are determined and quantified to determine their level of risk. Control measures are then determined that, when implemented, will mitigate and reduce the level of risk for each task to an acceptable level.

Based on their level of risk, the tasks are then arranged in the task inventory according to their level of risk from highest risks to lowest risks.

Through the re-arrangement of the quantified tasks, the employer can now concentrate on implementing the control measures for each task, prioritising their efforts on the tasks that pose the greatest risk to health and safety and then working down the task inventory to the tasks which pose lessor risks to health and safety.

WHO NEEDS TO DO THIS?

This task risk assessment is intended for all companies who are required to conduct a risk assessment within their organisations.

WHY IS THIS RISK ASSESSMENT IMPORTANT?

This task risk assessment is important because it determines hazards and their associated risks in the workplace. At the same time, it quantifies these to determine how much risk they represent to the organisation and its operations and details the relevant control measures that need to be put into place in order to ensure that the level of risk is an acceptable one. This provides evidence to an inspector that a risk assessment has been conducted by the organisation and that the organisation has made a comprehensive evaluation of the hazards and risks within its workplace. A risk assessment is mandatory under section 8(2)(d) of the OHS Act and its availability shows that the employer is complying with this legislation in respect of the risk assessment requirement.

VALIDITY

This task risk assessment must be conducted by a person who is competent to do so and who has been appointed to carry out the task. The risk assessment document must be approved and signed off by top management and must be communicated to all employees throughout the organisation.

The document must be maintained and reviewed regularly so that it remains relevant and must be available to any interested parties who wish to view it.

WHAT IS A SAFE OPERATING PROCEDURE?

The purpose of this safe operating procedure (SOP) process is to assist a user (employer) in creating and developing a new procedure for the user's organisation in order to provide clear guidelines on how a new task or process must be conducted safely or in a healthy manner.

WHO NEEDS TO DO THIS?

This safe operating procedure (SOP) process is intended for all companies who need to implement any safe operating procedures within their organisation.

WHY IS THIS PROCEDURE IMPORTANT?

This safe operating procedure (SOP) process is important because it plays an important role in assisting the employer in creating and developing new safe operating procedures for the organisation.

Safe operating procedures (SOPs) provide clear guidelines on how tasks or processes must be done correctly and safely and through their use activities become more standardised in their output, improving the quality of the outcome of the task or process. They provide understanding to employees involved in the task or process, detailing the safe manner in how activities should be conducted and detailing safety or health concerns that could be present when conducting the task or activity. They provide evidence to an inspector that an organisation has safe operating procedures (SOPs) in place and is therefore providing a means of awareness and understanding for employees to work safely in the workplace..

VALIDITY

This safe operating procedure (SOP) must be relevant and appropriate to the tasks or process it describes and must be formally signed off to indicate approval from management. It must be easily accessible to employees and must be communicated to all employees who conduct the task or process or who may be affected by the task or process. This safe operating procedure (SOP) must remain current and up-to-date.