Hazard Identification

DOE-EM-STD-5503-94

Hazard assessment, the process of identifying and evaluating the hazards associated with

operational activities, can be divided into four broad, interacting categories or elements:

Selection of the operation or job to be assessed,

Breakdown of the operation or job into constituent tasks,

Identification of hazards associated with each task, and

Determination of the necessary hazard controls.

To effectively manage hazardous activities and substances, and to assure worker safety and

health, site personnel should understand the processes to be used to develop each of these

elements. As new hazards in the workplace are identified and assessed, hazard controls should

be implemented, and as improved hazard abatement methodologies and hazard controls are

identified, as appropriate, they should be implemented.

Once the hazard assessment is completed, all significant identified hazards should be controlled

as quickly as reasonably feasible.

3.2. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

Management (DOE and contractor) should provide for the identification of and have an

understanding of the occupational safety and health hazards associated with their programs. This

will enable them to make effective and efficient decisions related to facilities, processes,

procedures, and the allocation of resources to protect the safety and health of workers.

The hazard identification section should contain the process(es) to be used to identify all actual

and potential hazards which exist at the site. The comprehensive workplan, as required by 29

CFR 1910.120(b), and site characterization should be used as a basis for the identification.

Determining present safety and health hazards is important (critical) to the overall evaluation of

remedial action sites. Therefore, each hazard associated with activities to be conducted at these

sites should be identified to ascertain the physical, safety, construction, chemical, radiological,

and other properties which may result in causing harm. These inherent properties establish the

anticipated problems associated with the activity.

Evaluation and identification of hazards should take place:

Initially, during the site characterization;

Immediately after initial site entry. The assessment should be a more detailed "real time"

evaluation and used to further define existing site hazards and aid in the selection of

appropriate engineering and administrative controls and PPE;

Prior to changes in jobs, tasks, and/or processes;

As required by changing site conditions; and

Continually, as appropriate.

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