Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control
Identify, assess, control, review
Risk management is a cycle: identify hazards, assess risk (likelihood × consequence), apply controls using the hierarchy, then monitor and review. The hierarchy of control runs from elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, down to PPE as the last line. Questions frequently present a scenario and ask which control level a measure belongs to - an exclusion zone is administrative; an interlock or limit switch is engineering; a hard hat is PPE.
Common crane hazards
- Load hazards: overloading, load shift, dropped load, slinging failure, crush zones.
- Crane hazards: collision with structures or other cranes, runaway, rail derailment, brake failure, electrical contact with overhead lines.
- People hazards: pedestrians under the load, poor communication, fatigue, distraction, inadequate training.
- Site hazards: poor lighting, floor obstructions, wind, heat, confined spaces, uneven rails.
Traps in questions
"Eliminate the hazard" is often impossible for a lift, so the answer is usually the highest practicable control. Administrative controls like procedures and signage do not remove the hazard by themselves; they must be backed by engineering controls and supervision. A JSA or SWMS is a planning tool, not a control in itself.
Worked example
A gantry crane shares a bay with forklifts. Identify: collision between forklift and crane or load. Assess: high likelihood, serious consequence. Control: engineering - physical barriers and interlocks; administrative - traffic management plan, exclusion zone, spotters; PPE - high-visibility clothing. Review after any near miss.
Rule of thumb
For every hazard ask: can I remove it? If not, can I engineer it out? Only then rely on procedures and PPE.