Within an organization, there are several ways by which risks may be identified. These include workplace inspections, which are undertaken with the aim of identifying risks and promoting remedial action.
Many different individuals and groups within an organization will – at some time – be involved in a workplace inspection; directors, line managers, safety advisers, supervisors and safety representatives. The key aspect is that results of all such inspections should be coordinated by one person within the factory, whose responsibility should include monitoring action taken once the risk has been notified, and informing those persons who reported the risk as to what action has been taken.
Workplace inspections tend to follow the same format but are given many different names including safety sampling, safety audits, safety inspections and hazard surveys.
Management / worker discussions can also be useful in the identification of risk. Formal discussions take place during meetings of the safety committee, with informal discussions occurring during on-the-job contact or in conversations between supervisor and worker. The concept of incident recall is an example of management/ worker discussion.
In all cases, the feedback element is important from a motivational standpoint. The risk identifier must be kept fully informed of action taken.