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OSHA requires employers to provide a workplace free of recognized hazards. To know and understand hazards that may exist requires a hazard assessment. Identifying hazards begin with a workplace inspection of equipment and processes that should also include interviews with employees to get a clear picture of workplace risk and exposure. Hazard assessments do not stop there, however. Effective assessments include carefully analyzing inspection data, injury and illness records, and emergency and non-routine events. The results of hazard assessment findings are used to remediate hazards, make improvements, and train workers.
Hazard assessment refers to an evaluation of the workplace to identify sources of hazards or potential hazards to workers. A few OSHA regulations require that a particular hazard assessment be performed. For instance, at 1910.132(d), OSHA requires that the “employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present” that would require the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). However, most types of hazard assessment, such as a job hazard analysis or comprehensive safety audit, are not addressed in the OSHA regulations, but are viewed as best practices.
Following are some requirements and best practices regarding hazard assessment: