Safety Office, Commissary Building
University of Waterloo
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
Phone 519 888 4567 Ext. 33587
Fax 519 886 8082
Email: safety@uwaterloo.ca
Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), there is a responsibility to recognize, assess, and control hazards if there is a potential of affecting a worker. A proactive approach to ensuring a safe and healthy workplace anticipates hazards and risks and implements control measures before work starts or any significant exposure to risk occurs.
As part of the University’s Heath, Safety & Environment Management System (HSEMS), the Risk Assessment Program provides departments the guidance and knowledge required to proactively identify hazards, analyze risk, and put the appropriate controls in place to manage those hazards.
See the University's Risk Assessment Program for more information.
It is the responsibility of managers and supervisors to complete risk assessments for the areas under their control before assigning work. From the following site risk assessment templates, select the most appropriate based on the task:
There are also program-specific risk assessment tools and templates available on their program pages:
If you hold a specific safety program permit, review your program to determine what specific risk assessment applies to your permit.
Departmental Heads are responsible for completing and maintaining the Departmental Hazard Register. Refer to the Hazard Register Manual for support.
Department heads who have not completed their initial Hazard Register should contact safety@uwaterloo.ca.
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are an administrative control used to provide step by step instructions on how a trained individual would complete a hazardous task. SOPs are required when the risk level remains above a “Low” level as determined by the risk assessment or when required as outlined in a safety program (e.g., laser safety requires SOPs for all Class 3B and 4 lasers).
SOP resources:
This online training module introduces those working in supervisory roles to the concept of risk assessment and the University's Risk Assessment Program.
Who should take this course?
This interactive classroom training session details how to perform risk assessments using the appropriate tools and builds upon the concepts introduced in Risk Assessment (SO2500).
Who should take this course?
Those who completed Risk Assessment (SO2500) and want/need further guidance completing risk assessments in their area of responsibility.
Notes:
Safety Office, Commissary Building
University of Waterloo
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2L 3G1
Phone 519 888 4567 Ext. 33587
Fax 519 886 8082
Email: safety@uwaterloo.ca
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within our Office of Indigenous Relations.