Hazard assessment is a process used to identify, assess, and eliminate or manage workplace hazards and the risks they present to workers. A hazard is a thing or condition that may expose a person to a risk of injury. Violence and harassment are hazards in any workplace, just like physical or chemical hazards. Hazard assessments help identify what controls or prevention measures are needed to keep workers safe.

Employer Duties

Employers are required to conduct a hazard assessment to identify violence and harassment hazards in their workplace. [WHS Regs, s. 1.03.01(1)]

The hazard assessment must be conducted in consultation with: [WHS Regs, s. 1.03.01(3)]

• the committee or the health and safety representative (if applicable) or
• in any other case, the workers in the workplace.

Hazard Assessment

Hazard assessment involves the following five steps.

1. Identifying hazards—looking for the things that might harm someone.
2. Assessing the risks—deciding how likely the hazards are to cause harm and how bad they could be.
3. Controlling the risks—taking steps to prevent hazards from causing harm.
4. Making sure workers understand and follow prevention measures that the employer has put in place.
5. Reassessing hazards regularly.

When conducting a hazard assessment, the employer is required to consider the following: [WHS Regs, s. 1.03.01(2)]

• any previous experience in the workplace, or similar workplaces, in relation to each identified hazard.
• the location and circumstances in which work takes place in the workplace.

There are various risk factors that can contribute to workplace harassment and violence. Some of these risk factors could include:

• working with customers or the public.
• handling money, valuables or prescription drugs (e.g., cashiers, pharmacists, veterinarians).
• working in premises where alcohol is served (e.g., food and beverage staff).
• working alone, in small numbers, or in isolated or low-traffic area.
• working during periods of intense organizational change (e.g., strikes, privatization, restructuring, downsizing).

The hazard assessment must be completed: [WHS Regs, s. 1.03.01(4)]

• as frequently as is required to prevent the development of hazards
• as soon as is practicable after a significant change occurs in the workplace, such as:
• the location or circumstances in which work takes place,
• the interactions that occur during the performance of work, or
• the physical location or layout of the workplace.
• as soon as is practicable after an employer becomes aware of an incident or injury in the workplace involving a hazard that was identified in a previous hazard assessment, or
• when ordered to be conducted by a safety officer.