A risk assessment is a process of screening initial information to identify hazards and assess the risks associated with them. It is used to determine whether a health hazard warrants regulatory action and to establish testing priorities for toxicity testing.
Different functions place a variety of demands on risk assessors. In establishing testing priorities, it may be appropriate to choose the most conservative assumptions for those parts of the analysis where data gaps are large.
Hazard Identification
Hazard identification is the first step in any risk assessment process. This is an important step because it identifies all the hazards that could possibly affect people, property or the environment. It also helps determine the risks of those hazards and whether they are significant enough to warrant further analysis or control measures.
Identifying hazards is not an easy task and requires a lot of attention to detail. The hazards you identify may be physical (such as noise, heat or air pollution), chemical (chemicals that are harmful to health), biological (mold or bacteria), or electrical (lightning or voltage).
It is important to look at all sources of information when identifying potential hazards. This includes incident and accident reports, worker surveys, near misses and crashes, inspections of equipment, as well as any other relevant data. It is also a good idea to talk with workers and managers as they know the hazards they face best. This is particularly true for employees that drive for work. They can be a great source of information on driving hazards such as speeding, distracted driving or working in non-routine conditions.
Once you have identified all the hazards, they need to be ranked in order of severity. This is based on the probability of a negative outcome and the amount of damage it could cause if it does occur. The hazards with the highest scores are considered the most significant and should be addressed first in your risk management plan.
Risk Characterization
A critical part of the risk assessment process is a clear, concise and understandable characterization of the risk results. It should restate the scope of the assessment, express the results clearly, articulate major assumptions and uncertainties, and separate scientific conclusions from policy judgments. It should also describe the strengths and weaknesses of the available evidence and explain how those were used in the evaluation. It is essential that the characterization is transparent and readily available to both internal and external stakeholders.
SHIRA works closely with subject matter experts to select the most appropriate, authoritative and nationally consistent data for use in the various SHIRA tools. This data is then securely housed in GeoPlatform and made accessible to Department of Interior personnel via the SHIRA Web Toolbox.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the SHIRA web tools?
The SHIRA Web Tools are a set of software applications that allow users to view and interact with spatial hazard information within an intuitive user interface. The tools are designed to help Department of Interior staff make informed decisions when managing Department lands and resources. The Web Tools consist of a map-based hazard risk assessment viewer, a GIS data query and display application, a spatial hazard mapping module and an inventory management system for the Department's geospatial hazard exposure information.
What are the requirements for using SHIRA tools?
To use the tools, users must have access to the GeoPlatform and be authorized to manage GeoPlatform data. Users must have a minimum of Data Analytics a Level 3 authorization. For additional information on how to get authorization to access and use the Web Tools, please see the Authorization Guide or contact your SHIRA Project Manager.
