DISCUSSION

HIRARC is stand for Hazard Identification Risk Analysis and Risk Control. The
purpose of this activity looks significant in effort to prevent accident happen or reduce risk to
hazardous activity in organisation or at workplace. Process of HIRARC requires four simple
steps which are classify work activities, identify hazard, conduct risk assesment(analysed and
estimate risk from each hazard) by calculating or estimating likelihood and severity of hazard.

In this mini project, two workplace were chosen to be identified of HIRARC where,
Computer Lab 29 B and Graphic Lab 30 B. For this two workplaces, there were no previous
HIRARC document to review for this mini project. Therefore, this group was assigned to
develope new HIRARC document. The important of HIRARC document as the practice of
planning, management and the operation of activity as a basic of risk management.

Risk was calculated by multiplying of likelihood and severity. Likelihood can be

referred at Table A, whereas severity was referred from table B. Then risk matrix was referred
from Table C and also able to determine the description prioritize risk whether high, medium
or low. All of these tables are from HIRARC guideline and only major risk could be discussed
in this mini project.

At Computer Lab 29 B, there were three activities involved in order to identify the
hazard which using equipment for tutorial and lecture purpose, walk in and out from computer
laboratory, and cleaning the computer laboratory. One hazard is being identified , analyse and
assess its associated risk and then suitable control measures is implement in HIRARC.

So, in Computer Lab 29 B, the major risk was 20 at activity walk in and out from
computer laboratory. In sub activitity of walking around computer laboratory, there were two
types of hazard were identified such mechanical and physical hazard. wall crack was
classified as mechanical hazard, indicate a problem regarding the foundation underneath the
wall (M.Miley, 2010). So the control measure that have been suggested were replaster the
wall crack and keep maintenance to overcome the hazard in the future by get consult with
building inpsector or contractor as soon as any of the crack appear.

Besides, physical risk that consist risl level of 20 was moveable ceiling. If there was
no further action being measured, this may cause injury to the person body and head if the
ceiling suddenly falling down.
Moveable ceiling is cause by rooftruss uplift that occurs when the bottom chord of the truss is
exposed to significantly different moisture or temperature consitions than the rest of the roof
truss (M.R.Ferguson,2014). The control measure that was identified for this hazard, fix the
ceiling while maintaning progress by consult with experts person for more valid action to be
taken.

Another high risk level in this workplace was 16, in activity using equipment for
tutorial and lecture purpose. The sub-activity was switch on the power supply and the
electrical hazard identified were overload voltage,damaged socket and plugs, then improper
installation of electrical device. Each year about 1000 accidents work involve electric shock
or burns are reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Around 30 of these are fatal,
most of them, arising from contact with overhead or underground power cables. Faulty
electrical appliances can also lead to fires. As well as causing injuries and loss of life, fires
cause damage to plant, equipment and property ( Anonymous,2016).

The current control measure that had been approached for this hazard were
maintaining the electrical equipment and tested by competent electrical technician,emergency
exit and provided with fire extinguisher. For the new HIRARC, a few control measure had
being proposed such warning sign, maintenance the room should have sufficient electrical
outlets for the number of workstation in the lab. Therefore, this will reduce the risk of hazard
in the workplace area.

For activity cleaning the computer laboratory, the high risk level obtained was 3,
where for sub activity of vacuuming the room. Electrical and ergonomic hazard were
determined as hazard in this activity. Entangled wire as electrical hazard may cause trip and
fall to the user during vacuuming whereas for ergonomic hazard repeated movement and
frequent bending cause back ache. Thus in order to reduce risk of these hazards, further
measure control that had been recommended were provide portable battery power vacuum so
that no more entangle wire problem and provide vacuum with adjustable handler so that back
ache problem could be solved.

Next workplace is graphic laboratory 30 B which consist of four activities such

walking in and out graphic laboratory, using drawing desk, during lecture, discussion or
tutorial session and lastly was cleaning the workplace area. Based on this activity, hazard is
identify to provide systematic and objective approach to assesing hazard in and associated risk
and also to control the risk.
 The highest risk level for this activity has been identified which 16 in activity of
during lecture, discussion or tutorial session. The sub-activity was using electrical device that
was produce electrical hazard such shock and electrocuted that cause body burn, equipment
damage and fatality may be occured to the person. Current control measure that provide for
this HIRARC were safety rule and emergency exit. In order to reduce hazard in the future, the
further control measure that had been recommended, place warning sign and install sensor
that can detect if there any electric shock happen in the room.

For next sub activity of walking around graphic laboratory and during sweeping the
graphic laboratory activity, the high risk level obtained was 12 and involve health hazard,
dust. Dusts are tiny solid particles scattered or suspended in the air whether organic or
inorganic dust depends on the source of the dust. This room was consist of inorganic duct
where inorganic dust come from grinding metals or mineral such as rock or soil (Canada,
2016). The amount of dust and the kind of particles involve influence how serious the lung
injury will be and the large amount of dust exposed to the person can cause asthma. Thus,
further control measure that need to be considered were by provide first aid, do regular
cleaning schedule and add tiles to minimize trapping dust in the room.

Besides, another consequence that involve dust as health hazard for during sweeping
the room activity may also cause itchy. Some current control measured were sweeping the
floor and put the 5S poster as reminder to the user to keep the room clean. However, for
improvemnet, further action that were proposed in this HIRARC such provide first aid and
inspection of cleaning schedule.

Another high risk level in cleaning garphic laboratory activity, for sub-activity which
during moving drawer the high risk level achieved was 12. Biological hazard was identified
that cause infection from pest such rodent and may spread Leptospirosis virus (W.Peter,2014).
The infection can enter the body through breaks in the skin, contact with the eyes or by
ingestion (Ai,2016). So futher action has been recomended by monitoring pest control and do
routine cleaning in the room.

Last activity was using drawing desk where involved sub-activity of preparation or sit
on the chair. The high risk level for this activity was 9. Fall down was identified as
mechanical hazard that cause body injury, body ache, spinal cord injury and foot injury.
Commonly fall down is cause by difficulties to adjust the desk according to the person height
and limited the user movement. In new HIRARC, further action that were suggested including
accomodate first aid and replace with adjustable desk and chair.

In a nutshell, to help avoid any accidents at the workplace, employers and employees
need to use proper safety guidelines and installation of safety systems, supervise users
properly, use safe work procedures and train person or user in the proper selection, use and
maintenance of breakdown protection systems to mminimize the risk at the workplace.
REFERENCES

Ai,2016. Leptospirosis. Retrieved from:

https://www.aisolutions.co.uk/Community/Knowledge/Topic/712/1004/Leptospirosis

Anonymous,2016. Electricity. Retrieved from :

http://www.healthyworkinglives.com/advice/workplace-hazards/electricity

Canada, 2016. What are The Effects of Dust on the Lungs? Retrieved from:
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/lungs_dust.html

M.Miley, 2010. Dangers of Cracks in Brick Walls. Retrieved from :

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/dangers-cracks-brick-walls-82479.html

M.R.Ferguson,2014. Truss Uplift Cause and Solutions. Retrieved from:

http://www.thisisdrywall.com/?p=484

W.Peter,2014. Infection. The Journal of Infectiuos Disease. IDSA Publisher.Infectious

Disease Society of America. (p.127-133).