OSHA - Hazard Identification and Accident Investigation

Hazard Identification

How do you identify hazards? Consider what could cause the injuries and illnesses your employees could have when they are at work – then determine how to eliminate or control those hazards. Here are six things you can do to get started:

1. Conduct a baseline hazard survey.
2. Perform regular workplace inspections.
3. Do a job-hazard analysis.
4. Use safety data sheets to identify chemical hazards.
5. Look for new hazards whenever you change equipment, materials, or work processes.
6. Investigate incident and accidents to determine root causes.

Accident Investigation

Oregon OSHA’s accident investigation requirements apply to all Oregon workplaces. If you have an employee who loses time from work due to an on-the-job injury or illness, you must determine what caused the injury or illness and act to prevent it from happening again. If your workplace has a safety committee, the safety committee must recommend how to prevent similar events from occurring.