Safety & Health Officer Exam, Paper III Section 2

SAFETY AND HEALTH OFFICER

EXAMINATION (3/2004)
Paper III
Part 2: Workplace Assignment
Investigation of Hazards at Independent Oil
Terminal Project (IOT) of PPES Works (Sarawak)
Sdn. Bhd

BY
abcde
INDEX NO.: NS1234

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Safety & Health Officer Exam, Paper III Section 2

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TOPIC

PAGE NUMBER

1. Abstract

2. Introduction

2.1

Project Scope

2.2

Machinery and equipment

2.3

Personnel

3. Objective

4. Methodology

4.1

Hazard Identification

4.2

Risk Assessment

4.3

Risk Control

10

5. Results and Discussion

12

6. Suggestion and Review

15

7. References/Sources
8. Appendices
8.1

Appendix 1: Layout of the site project

8.2

Appendix 2: The organization Chart of the Site Project

8.3

Appendix 3: The step by step method of Hazard Assessment

8.4

Appendix 4: Table of Summary of Hazards Identification, Risk Assessment and

Risk Control

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Safety & Health Officer Exam, Paper III Section 2

1. ABSTRACT
This report is compiled and presented as a prerequisite to qualify a candidate to become a
Safety and Health Officer. It describes the construction of Independent Oil Terminal
(IOT) by PPES Works (Sarawak) Sdn. Bhd, a method on how to identify the hazard,
performing risk assessment and how to control the risk in order to eliminate, reduce or
control the hazards. From the HIRARC (Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, Risk
Control) performed by the author, it was found out that excavation on the top of the hill
and canteen inside the site are the most significant safety and health hazard to the
workers. Proposals were put forward to control the above hazards in the suggestion.

2. INTRODUCTION
Occupational Safety and Health Management is become more significant due to the
awareness among the employer and also employee. Continuous commitment by the
government to reduce the accident rate is tremendously obvious after the enactment of
Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of Malaysia in 1994. Instead of enforcement
that is carry out by Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) on employers
to comply with regulations, pro active approach on Safety and Health by employers are
encouraged. These include providing adequate and effective training at workplace through
authorized training centre like National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH). These trainings are monitored closely by Department of Occupational Safety
and Health (DOSH) in order to control the quality and effectiveness of the training.

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Safety & Health Officer Exam, Paper III Section 2

Amongst the most important training is the certification Safety and Health Officer (SHO),
where this submission is an integral component of program.
The physical work required by this report was conducted at Independent Oil Terminal
(OIT), owned by Assar Chemicals Sdn Bhd. This project is managed by OGP Technical
Services consultant, a subsidiaries of Petronas and the construction is perform by PPES
(Works) Sdn. Bhd, as the main contractors.
2.1. Project Scope
This projected is located at Senari, 20 km from Kuchings City. The project area is
roughly 25 acres and nearby to Sarawak River. This project is called a Package 1
project where it ONLY involved in site preparation (Refer to Appendix 1). There will
be subsequent packages that will involve on the infrastructure construction and
mechanical and electrical set up. Under Package 1 project, below are the scopes of
the work:
a. Site clearing
b. Grubbing and excavation to 600mm deep
c. Installation of settlement measurement instruments
d. Hydraulic sandfilling
e. Installation of prefabricated vertical drain
f. Installation of RC Spun Piles and sheet piles
g. Construction of reinforced concrete riverwalls
h. Realignment of river channel
i. Construction of temporary facilities

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Safety & Health Officer Exam, Paper III Section 2

2.2. Machinery and equipment

Most of the machinery and equipments that are involved in this project are use to
clearing the land, excavating the ground and performing the piling activities. Besides
that, welding machine is also being used to perform the filing and piping welding.
Below is the list of the machinery and equipments that are used at the project site:
a. Excavator
b. Crane
c. Piling rig
d. Vertical drain rig

2.3. Personnel
There are three big groups of the personnel that are working at the project site.
a. Main contractors
b. Sub-contractors
c. Project management consultant
There are in average of 150 workers working at the project site. The overall
organization structure for the PPES Works (Sarawak) Sdn. Bhd is in the Appendix 2.

3. OBJECTIVE
To identify hazards at the workplace, assessing the risk and propose the solution to
eliminate, reduce or control the risk based on the significant risk resulted from the
assessment.

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Safety & Health Officer Exam, Paper III Section 2

4. METHODOLOGY
A well known and common method that was used to perform the assessment for hazard
involved 4 main steps that can be summarized in the diagram below.
Identification

Assessment

Control

HAZARD
Continuous
Improvement
Review
Figure 1: PDCA Cycle for HIRARC
The above method is a common methodology that is used not just in Occupational Health
and Safety Management, but also applicable to other areas such as quality, problem
solving and cost reduction. This cycle normally call PDCA, named Plan, Do, Check and
Act is a very effective to identify, assess and control the hazards. This basic concept or
principle of Safety and Health audit procedure is universal and may applied to all any
types of situations and industries. However, the approach would vary from industry to
industry. For safety, the methodology is called HIRARC (introduced by NIOSH in SHOs
course) that stands for Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control, that is
also using PDCA concept.

4.1. Hazard Identification

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Identification of hazards is critical steps in this methodology. A depth understanding

the meaning of hazard is significant because wrong identification of hazards can lead
to wrong assessment and control. Hazard that can be define as
HAZARD = anything (existent, inherent or likely to occur) that can cause harm (e.g
chemicals, electricity, working at height etc) to human.
It is also important to consider all type of hazards that can affect the employees
directly and also those who using the products and services. A complete understanding
at workplace is required to perform good and adequate hazard identification.
There are few methods that can be used to identify the hazards. The author
categorized it into 4 major categories as below:
Preview/
Reviewing

Observation

IDENTIFICATION

Analyzing

Consultation
Figure 2: Categories of identification step
The details of the categories are summarized in the table below:
No. Hazard Identification Category
1
Analyzing

Details of Identification
Analyzing any data or statistics from the records on accidents,
near misses cases & Safety and Health non conformance
Analyzing the work processes on the hazards that associate with

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Safety & Health Officer Exam, Paper III Section 2

the work
Analyzing on needs and adequacy of training and knowledge
that required to work safely.
2

Consultation

Job safety analysis.

Discussion with employees/sub contractors on they job scope
that possible to create the hazards.

3
4

Observation

Seeking advice or consultation from specialists

Observe unsafe act and condition during the audit, surveys or

Preview & Review

inspection.
Previewing or reviewing on:
a. Legislation and supporting codes of practice and
guidance
b. Malaysian or international standards
c. Industry or trade association guidance
d. Information from designers or manufacturers

Information that is tabulated above is some of the methods that were used by author to
carry out the hazard identification.

4.2. Risk Assessment

As PPES Works has no formal or proper risk assessment matrix, for assessment of the
risk, the author used a qualitative method for evaluation (based on Safety and Health
Officer Course by NIOSH). Basically, the risk assessment matrix using 3 categories:

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Safety & Health Officer Exam, Paper III Section 2

a. Probability of the injury or illness

b. Probability of exposure
c. Consequences of possible injury or illness
To give a brief idea or understanding the difference between hazard and risk, here is
the definition of risk:
RISK = Probability to expose to any hazards
Or Probability of Factor (PE) = Probability x Exposure to hazard
Here, it can be simplified as the chances for workers to expose to any possible injuries
(physical or health) due to the hazards. However, the consequences of the risk is also
very important in order for the author to classified the Risk is really dangerous to the
employees. Without the consequences factor, the author will cannot tell the severity of
the risk to employees in terms of physical injuries or health effect.
So, the overall assessment matrix can be simplified as below.
CONSEQUENCES
DISASTROUS
CRITICAL
SERIOUS
SIGNIFICANT
NOTICEABLE

13
25
23
20
16
11

PE = PROBABILITY X EXPOSURE
4-8
9 - 15
16 - 25
24
22
19
21
18
14
9
17
13
8
5
12
7
4
2

26 - 36
15
10
6
3
1

The details of the assessment showing the details of the assessment steps are in the
literature (Refer to Appendix 3)

4.3. Risk Control

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After the author did the assessment, it is important to determine the significant of the
hazards based on the highest risk. This is important because it is difficult to control all the
hazards at one time. Besides of the difficulty to handle all the hazards at one time, other
factors that cause the constraints are:
a. Time
b. Man power
c. Financial
So it is important for the author to select the most significant hazards and present to the
management on the priority what risk that need to be handle first. Based on the HIRARC,
the author can plan and put the target or objectives that is endorsed by top management to
implement in order to control the risks.
Table below is the summary of level of risk that is used on what actions that need to take
to control the risks.
LEVEL OF RISK
VERY HIGH RISK
HIGH RISK
MODERATE RISK
LOW RISK
VERY LOW RISK

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RISK
ACTION TO CONTROL
SCORE
21 - 25 Not tolerable - IDLP; Immediate action; Interim and Long term controls
Notify management immediately; effective interim control; long term
16 - 20
control
11 - 15 Communicate hazard to affected people; Implement long term controls
6 10 Routine procedures; SOP
15
Team leader/workers to control

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5. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

From the observation and discussion with the workers, below are some of the comments by the
author:a.

Managements Commitment to Safety and Health

The commitment by management on Safety and Health is encouraging. The direct support
by the headquarter office is shown through HSE Policy, hiring a registered Safety and
Health Officer and Safety and Health Committee. HSE posters are posted around the site
office and regular HSE orientation training for new staff and subcontractors are
implemented.

b.

Workplace Safety and Health Rules

The HSE rules are clearly spelled out through the Safety Sign that are located from the
main entrance to the working area inside the construction. Some of the signs are the speed
limit, PPE signs and Safety First Banner. Regular toolbox was performed once a week for
all the subcontractors.

c. Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) Documentation

HSE documentation is sufficient to support any HSE activities although there are some
documents that need to be updated. Important documents such as Safety & Health
Committee Meeting minutes, Training attendance and Accident Report are well
documented. This is due to the implementation of ISO9001:2000 at PPES Works helps a
lot on the documentation system.

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d. Emergency Response Plan (ERP)

Good and practical ERP is also available including the Muster Point and process flow.
However, drill has not been organized since the project started. A drill is necessary to
check the efficiency of the ERP and required to perform at least ONCE a year.
From the HIRARC table in appendix 4, the author can summarize that the MOST significant
hazards based on score are as follows:
1. Excavation on the top of the hill (Safety Hazard)
2. Crane Operation (Safety Hazard)
3. Piling Operation (Safety Hazard)
4. Canteen (Health Hazard)
5. Vertical Temporary Drain (Safety Hazard)
The HIRARC table shows the MOST Critical hazards are
1. Excavation on the top of the hill (Safety Hazard)
This activity was chosen by the author because it is due to the high probability (Scale 2:
High) of hill or highland collapsed due to the unstable hill/highland structure after that area
was explored for the construction of any facilities or infrastructure.
Indeed, due to unforeseen raining weather will weaken the hill structure and cannot support
the weight of the excavator.
The exposure of this hazard is also high (Scale 2: Frequent) because the foot of the hill
facing to the river is the ONLY passage to go to the other site of the project.
That passage will become a common route for workers to move in and out from the both site.
The consequence of this hazard is disastrous because it can cause fatality and also delay the
work because the only passage to go to the other site of the project will be affected.
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2. Canteen (Health Hazard)

Canteen is a COMPULSORY spot for the workers to fulfill the stomach to gain extra energy
after performing heavy duty work.
This activity was chosen by the author because of the moderate probability (Scale 3:
Moderate) of food poisoning is a common accident happen at the construction area due to
lack of hygiene awareness and personal hygiene.
In terms of the exposure of the hazard, it is high (Scale 2: Frequent) because the canteen is
located to the main entrance to the site. There will be a lot of trucks and lorries carrying the
soils, rocks and piling material in and out and this will generate a lot of dusts.
The consequences is serious because of the food poisoning due to the exposure of the food to
dusts generated by the truck if the food is not covered properly. It will cause the workers to be
hospitalized and this can delay the project due to shortage of staff.

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6. SUGGESTION & REVIEW

a. Excavation on the top of the hill (Safety Hazard)
Some of the suggestions in order to eliminate, reduce or control of the hazard are as
below:Short Term

To barricade the area in order to control the workers flow into the affected area.
-

This can be done by putting the barricade tape, wood peg with rope with a
safety sign or safety cones

The barricade at least can control the workers to enter the dangerous site that
can be affected by the hazard.

Put safety signs at the designated area to remind the workers on the hazard
existence.
-

The safety sign will give information on the dangerous of the site where the
hazard activity is carry on.

This sign will give extra information on why the area was barricaded in order
to prevent any trespasser to the area

Regular inspection and audit at the designated area.

-

Extra precaution and inspection is needed when it involved this activity.

Take extra precaution especially after raining or wet period. This is due to the
hill/highland structure become weak and the possibility of the hill/highland
collapsed is very high.

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This inspection will help to identify any possible weaknesses or mistakes due
to unsafe acts or conditions that can cause any mishaps caused by the activity.

Long Term

Create a new passage that is totally far from the hazard area
-

This will minimize the effect to those who are working near to the foot hill.

Besides that, it will prevent any workers using the danger passage nearby the
river during the activity.

However, the operator will face the hazard but it will reduce bigger
catastrophe to the bigger group.

Use light machine to perform the task.

-

Light equipment is suitable to be use to perform the task.

This will reduce the impact of the equipments weight to the structure of the
hill and reduce the chances the hill to collapse.

b. Canteen (Health Hazard)

Short Term

Spraying the water frequently

-

This can be done by spraying the water using the sprinkler.

This method will settle down all the dust that is generated from the move in
and out activities by the truck.

Control the activity of the trucks

-

This is done by fixing the truck movement to the site during eating time such
as breakfast, lunch or high tea.

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This will reduce the food exposure to the dust and reduce the risk the
contaminated food that will harm the workers.

Long Term

To relocate the canteen

This is the best solution to eliminate the hazard.

The canteen can be located further from the construction area where the area is
clean and free from any dust.

To make sure all the Risk Control are implemented correctly and minimize the risk, reviewing the
risks is important. As explained in the Methodology and summarized in Figure 1, reviewing the
HIRARC is vital to make sure the risk control that was taken is correct, accurate and effective.
Implementation of all the risk control must be followed up and observed. This process can be
done by performing the regular inspection and audit. Besides that, regular discussion and meeting
with sub contractors to discuss any problems or issues raised from the risk control is also
important. From the discussion, hopefully the committee can come out with new risk control in
order to identify the new solution to control the risk. The target is to reduce the risk level as low
as possible or totally eliminate the risk. The support from top management is important and cooperation from everybody especially sub contractors is critical on the success in controlling the
risk.

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7. REFERENCES/SOURCES
a. Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), 1994
b. Safety and Health Officer (SHO) Notes by National Institute of Occupational Safety
and Health (NIOSH)
c. Taylor, Easter & Hegnev, Enhancing Safety: An Australian Workplace Primer,
Technical Publication. 1996

8. APPENDICES
8.1. Appendix 1: Layout of the site project
8.2. Appendix 2: The organization Chart of the Site Project
8.3. Appendix 3: The step by step method of Hazard Assessment
8.4. Appendix 4: Table of Summary of Hazards Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk
Control

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