1. Discuss the pros and cons of using a Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA). Include information about when it would or would not be appropriate to use this Risk Assessment Technique.
- Pros of Using Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA):
The PHA would be advantageous in emphasizing the prevention of injuries, illnesses, and fatalities that could happen in the work setting. The PHA identifies risks and hazards associated to the job through taking a closer look at each task, responsibilities being undertaken, as well as the environment or the work setting. The posture, use of body parts, and integration of resources required to be used to undertake the tasks) are accurately evaluated with the aim of proposing policies, procedures, and control measures that would prevent work-related harm and injuries.
- Cons of Using Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA):
The only disadvantage of using the PHA is the need to regularly update and evaluate the risks and hazards in the work environment. The updating and monitoring process is tedious, time consuming, and costly.
- Best Uses of Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA):
It was learned that accidents normally happen when energy is released. As such, the best uses of PHA would be in organizations and industry that uses energy in the process. Therefore, most private and public organizations benefit from using PHA, especially in the oil industry, construction industry, manufacturing and processing industry, as even in service industries (airlines, food, and even health care).
- When it is not Appropriate to Use Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA) Technique?
One strongly believes that as long as there is a release in energy in undertaking responsibilities and tasks, the PHA technique is appropriate to be used.
2. How are the risk assessment techniques used in class best integrated into an overall management approach to safety and health?
The risk assessment techniques used in class could be integrated best into an overall management approach to safety and health through first soliciting the commitment of management in undertaking safety measures and ensuring that safety and health is a paramount concern in the work settings. Next, risk assessment approaches which would be most applicable in the organization, depending on the tasks, products manufactured, as well as the resources being used, would be applied to determine the risks, hazards, and the need for establishing policies and controls.
3. How have your ideas about “Process Hazard Management” changed over the semester? How do you foresee yourself using the information in this class in your careers?
The modules presented were the first time that awareness to the Process Hazard Management (PHM) was learned. The course enabled expansion of one’s knowledge on the needs to conduct risks and hazards assessment in various work settings. It also enabled the realization that through awareness of these risks, management could design preventive and control measures that would prevent accidents, injuries, illnesses, and even fatalities from happening.
The information learned from the course would definitely be used in current and future careers. Through an initial assessment of one’s tasks, responsibilities, and the work environment, I could determine whether the organization has the ability and the policies for PHM and prevent jeopardizing the health and safety of employees. As such, if the organization’s health and policies are well established, I could discern that my safety is assured. Otherwise, I could propose measures for improvement so that the organization would adhere to safety standards as proposed by the OSHA.
1. Discuss the pros and cons of using a Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA). Include information about when it would or would not be appropriate to use this Risk Assessment Technique.
The pros of using PHA are clearly to accurately identify hazards and risks that could lead to accidents in the work place as well as to design hazards control measures. The ranking of potential accidents according to severity would assist management in designing preventive and control measures to ensure that the workers are kept safe and secure.
• Cons of Using Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA):
The cons of using PHA are the time, effort, and money spent to undertake them. There is a need for competent and qualified people who would do the PHA, as well as ensure that the workers follow safety standards and prevent accidents from happening. Thus, the process could be costly and time consuming.
• Best Uses of Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA):
PHA could be best applied in organizations and industries where accidents and injuries are prevalent. These organizations could be in the construction industry, petrochemical industry, mining, transportation and even in service organizations (restaurant, health institutions, and consumer-service organizations).
• When it is not Appropriate to Use Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA) Technique?
I honestly could not think of any situation where PHA could not be used. As long as there are tasks and resources to be used, as well as workers being exposed to using machinery or equipment that could pose injuries, the PHA would be applicable.
2. How are the risk assessment techniques used in class best integrated into an overall management approach to safety and health?
The risk assessment techniques could be integrated in an overall management approach to safety and health through first determining the current status of safety and health standards observed by organizations. After which, planning to incorporate updating health and safety standards according to OSHA requirements should be integrated in the organization’s safety policies. Next, through PHA, the organization should determine the level and severity of risks and hazards to propose control measures and effectively mitigate these risks as well as prevent accidents from happening.
3. How have your ideas about “Process Hazard Management” changed over the semester? How do you foresee yourself using the information in this class in your careers?
As such, the information in the class would be helpful in my future work through applying the theoretical frameworks learned on PHM, PHA, as well as in assuming a pro-active stance in adherence to health and safety standards. I could propose improvements to my superior if, and when, conformity to safety standards are needed or when control measures are weak.
