Engineering Project Risk Assessment

Project Title: Click or tap here to enter text.	For assistance contact Safety and Fieldwork

Background	Establish the context by describing the objectives or purpose of the activity and expected outcomes.
Specifics	Provide details such as duration, locations, activities, tasks and stakeholders
School: Science, Technology and Engineering	Research: Project (staff and students) ☐; HDR ☐; Honours ☐; 4th year engineer project ☐ SRP ☐.
Facilities:	SIPPY DOWNS ☐ General Engineering Lab M.G.03 ☐ M1 Mechanical Projects Workshop ☐ M1 Structures Lab ☐ M1 CNC Workshop ☐ M1 Instruments Lab ☐ Physics Lab ☐ Robotics Lab ☐ UniSC outdoor area	MORETON BAY ☐ Civil Lab ☐ Thermodynamics Lab ☐ Flexi-Lab Lab ☐ Mechatronics Lab ☐ Projects Workshop ☐ Advanced Manufacturing and Rapid Prototyping ☐ Materials Lab ☐ UniSC outdoor area
Associated external funding/non-funded agreements (Leave blank if not relevant)	Title:Click or tap here to enter text.	Research Master#: Click or tap here to enter text.
Scope (What this risk assessment covers) Geographical setting; Expected Environment; Acceptable Conditions)	Excludes (specific risk assessments are required) Unapproved Geographical settings; Unsuitable Environment; Unacceptable activities or Conditions
☐UniSC Sippy Downs Engineering facilities ☐ Concreting ☐ Flume ☐ Furnace/Oven ☐ Working at external organisations ☐ Collaborating partners_________________	High risk activities working in confined spaces, at heights or in high noise environment. Extreme hazard activities such as dealing with a large quantity of flammable material(>50L), dealing with explosives, high toxicity material or infectious organisms.
TEMPLATE by: S&F Team	TEMPLATE Issued: 01/08/2024
RA NUMBER: (S&F Team generated)	Overall Rating: Medium
REVIEW LOG Routine Review frequency 3 years - Research project
DATE	REVIEWED BY	REVIEW SUMMARY	REAPPROVED (Required if significant changes to hazards or controls)
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Risk description	Inherent Risk (without controls)	Minimum Controls	Specific Information/ Comment/ Notes/Additional Controls (N/A if not applicable)	Residual risk (after controls are applied)
Consequence	Likelihood	Risk rating	Consequence	Likelihood	Risk rating
People
Exposure to unsafe practices. Source: Lack of knowledge, skills or behaviour Implications: People Risk	Catastrophic	Possible	High	Students are experienced or are supervised in the specific project activities or techniques. Students have completed induction training (Lab Fieldwork) on Canvas regarding inherent risks and controls required where relevant. Students have completed induction training (Engineering) with ETS staff regarding inherent risks and controls required where relevant.	Techniques Relevant for this project: Click or tap here to enter text.	Catastrophic	Rare	Medium
Exposure to inappropriate behaviours. Source: interactions of people and non-compliance with code of conduct Implications: People Risk	Catastrophic	Possible	High	Students are supervised and monitored regularly by principal supervisor or senior project staff. Students have completed induction training regarding behaviour. Students follow facility rules whilst working in each facility. Supervisors manage Non-compliances through counselling individuals, retraining or suspension of access to the laboratory. Non-compliances with facility rules are reported to Technical staff.	Add additional or specific information Here	Catastrophic	Rare	Medium
Exposure to unknown risk Source: unauthorized access or work Implications: People Risk	Catastrophic	Possible	High	Students access some restricted spaces (Laboratories) with their own Swipe card. Access to engineering spaces is only during operational hours. All project Students have a current UniSC status (enrolled, employed or approved), and completed inductions for each area accessed. Comply with access restrictions applied to their approved level. Contractors engaged for this project have completed an induction and report to Technical staff prior to conducting work on each visit. Volunteer researchers are approved for this project and supervised. Visitors are approved and always supervised in UniSC facilities.	Add additional or specific information Here	Catastrophic	Rare	Medium
Site/s
Exposure to Emergency Events Source: unexpected events, incidents or medical episode Implications: People Risk	Catastrophic	Possible	High	Students have completed training in emergency response relevant to each facility including: Emergency equipment locations including (fire sprinklers, hose, blankets, extinguishers, safety showers, eyewash stations). Emergency procedures – evacuation, spills, decontamination of persons. Location of First Aid kits and Spill kits provided (Chemical and Biological). Responding to Oxygen/Carbon dioxide monitor alarm Students can use of SafeZone app as a duress alarm.	List types of spills for project activities or other foreseeable emergency events. List any project specific controls.	Catastrophic	Rare	Medium
Exposure to Adverse reactions or events Source: incompatible activities Implications: People Risk	Catastrophic	Possible	High	Excluded activities listed in the scope are prohibited for this project. All new activities are risk assessed and approved by Technical staff prior to commencing off-campus or in UniSC laboratory and engineering work spaces. Students always maintain awareness of other activities occurring within the work space. Students plan project activities to segregate interacting activities by space and time. Incompatible chemicals are segregated in storage and during use.	Enter activities incompatible with project activities that must be managed in storage and/or use.	Catastrophic	Rare	Medium
Exposure to unsafe operations Source: inadequate storage or workspace, utilities or services. Implications: People Risk	Moderate	Possible	Medium	All new processes, equipment or chemicals must be risk assessed and approved by Technical staff prior to commencing or use. Project storage and work area space is allocated and communicated to students if relevant.	Enter storage and work area space allocated for the project.	Moderate	Rare	Low
Exposure to hazardous waste Source: contamination or release of waste Implications: People Risk	Major	Possible	High	Students segregated waste into the established streams: Clinical waste Hazardous Chemical waste Sharps Quarantine waste General Building Wastes (concrete, soils, etc). Students utilize hygiene and decontamination equipment (handwash station, eyewash station) when handling waste. Students follow the UniSC Waste procedures/guidelines. Students follow the spill procedures for waste spills if required. Minimum PPE required while handling laboratory waste is Labcoat, gloves, glasses & footwear.	If exceeding standard operations or volumes: Enter details of expected waste types and project specific controls.	Moderate	Rare	Low
Activity
Exposure to Biological agents Source: contamination air,surfaces or materials. Implications: People Risk	Moderate	Possible	Medium	Students use hygiene and decontamination equipment (handwash station, eyewash station) when handling biological material. Students follow Infection control procedures in all laboratories. Students follow the work area rules – restricting activities within the work areas e.g. no eating and drinking, securing long hair, follow instructions Students complete decontamination procedures (equipment & surfaces) when handling materials with potential for biological risks. For example, non-potable water.	Click here to describe the sources of biological agents for this project.	Moderate	Rare	Low
Exposure to Airborne contaminants Source: contamination, handling or release Implications: People Risk	Catastrophic	Possible	High	Equipment or processes generating dust or air borne contaminates that exceed exposure standards are prohibited. Equipment or processes generating dust or air borne contaminates must be approved by Technical staff prior to commencing. Students isolate all processes generating dust physically. All processes generating dust must have adequate ventilation. Operators of equipment are trained and follow operating procedures.	Click to enter details of any sources of airborne contaminants for this project and any additional controls.	Moderate	Rare	Low
Exposure to Sharps Source: Broken glass, needles or sharp implements Implications: People Risk	Moderate	Possible	High	Students plan and select appropriate sharp use and procedures. Students segregate sharps waste Sharp implements segregated in cleaning processes.	Click to describe the sharps used or exposed to for this project and any additional controls.	Minor	Unlikely	Low
Exposure to Thermal Hazards Source: Hot and cold surfaces, liquids or air Implications: People Risk	Moderate	Likely	High	Students provide signage of any thermal hazards generated or identified in the project activities. Students wear specific thermal PPE including gloves for each types of thermal hazards including dry/wet/hot or cold.	Click to describe the sources of thermal hazard exposed to for this project and any additional controls	Moderate	Rare	Low
Exposure to Hazardous Noise Source: equipment or processes generating noise. Implications: People Risk	Moderate	Likely	High	Equipment or processes generating excessive noise (>80db or as defined by WHS regulation 2011) are prohibited from use within the laboratory. Students isolate all processes generating noise physically or by space and time. Operators of equipment are trained and follow operating procedures.	Click to enter details of equipment or processes that may generate noise and any additional controls.	Moderate	Rare	Low
Risk of manual handling activities Source: Repetitive tasks, awkward postures, or load movement. Implications: People Risk	Moderate	Likely	High	Students are provided advice for safe manual handling. Students complete the online safe manual handling training module. Trolleys, baskets and other load moving equipment is provided. Students are trained and follow operating procedures for load moving equipment.	Click to enter details of activities that may pose a manual handling hazard.	Moderate	Rare	Low
Equipment
Operating plant and equipment Source: equipment breakdown or failure Implications: People Risk	Catastrophic	Possible	High	Equipment must be approved for use in the facility by Technical Operations staff. Unapproved and personal equipment is excluded from use in the research facilities. Students have completed specific training and competency prior to operating equipment unsupervised. Students visually inspect all power cords before use. Students report all faults or issues with equipment to Technical staff.	Relevant for this project: ☐ ________________	Catastrophic	Rare	Medium
Chemical
Exposure to hazardous chemicals Source: contamination, release or damage of hazardous chemicals. Implications: People Risk	Catastrophic	Possible	High	Dealing with large quantities (>50L) of flammable materials, or materials classed as explosive/highly toxic is prohibited. Chemical types and volumes comply with specific room limits. Only necessary chemicals and volumes provided in the room for the required time only. Students use Fume hoods for noxious, odorous, toxic or highly flammable materials following relevant SOP and are trained. Chemicals stored in secure segregated storage when not in use. Staff and students have completed training in and follow the operational procedures for storage, handling and disposal for all chemicals (e.g. limitations on materials, SDSs, transport, labelling and disposing chemicals) SDS available for each chemical and is read prior to handling each chemical. Staff and students follow work area rules including restricting activities within the laboratory e.g. no eating and drinking, securing long hair, follow instructions, not wearing headphones or taking unnecessary personal belongings whilst in the work areas. Staff and students use Hygiene/decontamination equipment used frequently (handwash, safety shower, eyewash). Staff and Students have identified foreseeable spills and implement spill procedures as required. Minimum PPE - gloves, glasses & footwear- is worn when handling, using or disposing of chemicals.	List the chemicals used in this project below.	Catastrophic	Rare	Medium
Name	Cas#	Manufacturer	Product Code or Hyperlink	GHS Signal Word (Warning, Danger) and Hazard Statements (refer to SDS)	Regulated Medicine (S4, S7, S8)	Waste Notes (cytotoxic/ marine pollutant)	Fume hood required?
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Other Considerations (Select the relevant Consequence, Likelihood and Risk Rating)
Exposure to Respiratory Illness Source: Interacting with others Implications: People Risk	Catastrophic	Possible	High	All researchers must monitor media communications for changes in recommended measures . All researchers who are feeling unwell to stay home until they no longer have symptoms. If you are showing symptoms follow the advice on MyUniSC or Qld Health, Remind all researchers to practice recommended personal hygiene measures Disinfecting work areas and equipment implemented.	Add additional or specific information Here	Moderate	Unlikely	Medium
Risk of litigation or fines Source: Non-compliance with regulatory requirements Implications: Regulatory Risk	Catastrophic	Possible	High	Projects involves designing, manufacturing or modifying equipment, instruments, machinery or other items of plant have completed the RPEQ assessment below. Projects involving fieldwork have activities entered into Field Friendly. Projects involving working on or with drones comply with the UniSC Drone procedures.	Moderate	Unlikely	Medium
RPEQ Assessment (Select relevant statements regarding the designing, manufacturing or modifying equipment, instruments, machinery or other items of plant?)	Action Required.
☐ A prescriptive standard that states procedures for carrying out an engineering design, construction, production, operation or maintenance activity; and explains exactly how to apply the procedure to the particular task – i.e. there is little to no room for personal choice or judgement; and requires no advanced scientifically-based calculations.	RPEQ NOT REQUIRED. The detailed instructions must be followed.
☐ Is this for teaching activities: practicals, undergraduate project work, capstone projects (e.g. design activities conducted solely for an educational purpose)?	RPEQ NOT REQUIRED. The activity risk assessment is completed (course or above).
☐ Applying engineering principles only. (For example calculations/testing forces, pressure, safe working loads etc.)	RPEQ consultation required Report attached.

*For definitions please refer to the Risk Management -Procedures

FOLLOW UP CHECKLIST
ACTION REQUIRED	YES	NO
Level 1 Risks outside risk Appetite? Medium residual risk relating to risk categories with conservative risk posture or High residual risks relating to risk categories with balanced risk posture	☐	☐
Level 2 Risks outside risk Appetite? High residual risk relating to risk categories with conservative risk posture Any extreme rated risks	☐ (Requires DVCA/VCP approval).	☐
Do new risk need to be add to UniSC Risk Register or reported quarterly (Level 2)	☐	☐
Additional Chemicals need to be entered into UniSC inventory system	☐	☐
Is an FM maintenance request/s or action required	☐	☐
Is health monitoring required	☐	☐
Other – please specify

APPROVALS
STEP	Role	Name	Signature	Date
1	Author	Click or tap here to enter text.	Click or tap to enter a date.
2	Academic Supervisor (if not author)	Click or tap here to enter text.	Click or tap to enter a date
FOR PROCESSING SUBMIT TO: UniSC Staff: UniSC Connect (Academic Support Unit/Technical Operations) for processing. UniSC Students: Submit to Safety and Fieldwork Team
3	Compliance check by Safety & Fieldwork Team	Click or tap here to enter text.	Click or tap to enter a date.
4	Authorised by HoS/Center Director	Click or tap here to enter text.	Click or tap to enter a date.
Level 2 (see above) N/A if not relevant
5	Authorised by Executive member (DVCA/VCP)	Click or tap here to enter text.	Click or tap to enter a date.
6	PERSONS CONDUCTING WORK OR ACTIVITIES UNDER THIS RISK ASSESSMENT Sign below indicating that you have read and understand this risk assessment agreeing to implement all minimum controls.
NAME	Signature	Date
Click or tap here to enter text.	Click or tap to enter a date.
Click or tap here to enter text.	Click or tap to enter a date.
Click or tap here to enter text.	Click or tap to enter a date.
Click or tap here to enter text.	Click or tap to enter a date.
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Monitor and Review Questions
Complete the REVIEW LOG above
Review Questions
Have any incidents related to this risk assessment occurred?
Have any additional hazards been identified for this project or activity?
Have new control measures been implemented?
Are control measures minimising risk?
Are further control measures required to minimise risk
Do new control measures introduce any new risk?
Has a copy of this risk assessment been provided to all relevant personnel?
Have details of the risk assessment been fully documented and referenced in relevant procedures, methods etc?
Has UniSC Safety and Wellbeing been advised of any identified health monitoring requirements

Risk Rating Tables Risk Matrix

Consequences
1. Insignificant	2. Minor	3. Moderate	4. Major	5. Catastrophic
Likelihood	a. Almost Certain	Medium	High	High	Extreme	Extreme
b. Likely	Low	Medium	High	High	Extreme
c. Possible	Low	Medium	Medium	High	High
d. Unlikely	Low	Low	Medium	Medium	High
e. Rare	Low	Low	Low	Medium	Medium

Likelihood Assessment

The number of times within a specified period which a risk (a specific event or outcome) may occur, either as a consequence of business operations or through failure of operating systems, policies or procedures. One or more of the following descriptions or indicators may be used to assess the likelihood depending on the relevance to the risk being considered.

Rating	Description	Quantification	Indicative Probability
Almost Certain	The event is expected to occur in most circumstances.	Likely to occur once within a 3 month period or multiple times within 12 months.	>90%
Project - One or more times during project life.
Likely	The event will probably occur in most circumstances.	Could occur once within a 12 month period.	71–90%
Project - 71-90% probability the event will occur during project life.
Possible	The event might occur at some time.	Could occur within a 1 to 5 year period.	31–70%
Project - 31-70% probability the event will occur during project life.
Unlikely	The event could occur at some time but not considered likely to occur.	Could occur within a 5 to 10 year period.	10–30%
Project - 10-30% probability the event will occur during project life.
Rare	The event may only occur in exceptional circumstances.	May occur within every 10 year period or more.	<10%
Project - Less than 10% probability the event will occur during project life.

Consequence Assessment

The impact which a risk (a specific event or outcome) may have if it occurs, either as a consequence of business operations or through failure of operating systems, policies or procedures. Within each Category, one or more of the following descriptions or indicators may be used to assess the consequence depending on the risk being considered.

Rating Category	Insignificant	Minor	Moderate	Major	Catastrophic
Impact description	Some loss but notmaterial, existing controls and procedures assessed as adequate.	Event with consequences that can be readily adsorbed but requires managementto minimise impact.	Significant event or circumstances that can be managed under normal circumstance.	Serious incident or event that can be endured with proper management.	Event or circumstance with potentially disastrous impact onbusiness and/or staff and students.
Strategic Growth	Minimal impact on delivery of strategic goal. Minimal impact on Strategic Plan and the University. KPI <5% lower that expectation.	Short-term impact on delivery of strategic goal. Minor impact on the Strategic Plan and the University. KPI 5%-10% lower than expectation.	Medium-term delays in delivery of strategic goal. Moderate impacts on the Strategic Plan and the University. KPI <10%-25% lower that expectation.	Major delays in delivery of strategic goal. Major impacts to the Strategic Plan with reputational and / or political consequences. KPI <25%-50% lower than expectation.	Inability to deliver strategic goal with catastrophic impacts to the Strategic Plan and major reputational and / or political consequences. KPI >50% lower than expectation.
Financial Viability	<0.25% of operating budget (<$500K for UniSC Consolidated Budget).	Between 0.25% & 1% of operating budget ($500k-$2m for UniSC Consolidated Budget).	Between 1% & 5% of operating budget ($2m-$10m for UniSC Consolidated Budget).	Between 5% & 10% of operating budget ($10m-$20m for UniSC Consolidated Budget). Short-term inability to pay staff & creditors, <3 months cash reserves held	>10% of operating budget (>$20m for UniSC Consolidated Budget). Inability to pay staff & creditors, <1 month cash reserves held.
Research Risk	Minimal impact on delivery or outcome of research conducted.	Some minor issues with the quality of research conducted.	Lack of quality in research conducted.	Components of Research Standards as per ARC/NHMRC Code of Research Conduct not met.	Research Standards as per ARC/NHMRC Code of Research Conduct not met.
Culture and Values Risk	Issue raised by community/ industry partner resolved promptly by day-to-day management processes. Negligible damage to culture and values with issues raised by staff resolved promptly by management processes; minimal staff turnover.	Issue raised by community/ industry partner resolved by UniSC senior management. Minimal damage to culture and values but issues raised by staff escalated, indicating low morale with some increase to staff turnover (total UniSC turnover >10% but ≤15%).	Criticism by community/industry partners leading to temporary but reversible breakdown in relationship requiring escalation to UniSC executive. Moderate damage to culture and values and issues raised by staff escalated indicating low morale with moderate staff turnover in key area (>15% but ≤20%); or unexpected loss of 1-2 key senior staff members.	Reversible significant breakdown in community/industry partnerships requiring extensive mediation. Major damage to culture and values and issues raised by staff escalated indicating low morale and engagement in University direction and resulting in significant staff turnover (>20% but ≤25%); or unexpected loss of several key senior staff.	Complete and irreversible breakdown in community/industry partnerships. Significant damage to culture and values and issues raised by staff escalated indicating low morale and engagement in University direction and resulting in extensive staff turnover (>25%); or unexpected loss of several key executive staff.
Teaching and Learning Risk	Issues in teaching & learning delivery resolved promptly through management processes.	Consistency of teaching & learning delivery affected.	Lack of quality in either programs/ courses delivered.	Loss of professional accreditation for externally accredited programs with significant impacts to the University’s Strategic Plan and/or financial position.	Loss of TEQSA accreditation.

Rating Category	Insignificant	Minor	Moderate	Major	Catastrophic
Environmental and Social Responsibility	Negligible impact, cosmetic remediation required. Little or no public interest; isolated/ transient complaint resolved through management processes. Minor local media coverage.	Minor incident with adverse local environmental impact, capable of being remedied. Reputation affected with a few people; on-going complaint; performance concerns. Minor state media coverage.	Moderate environmental impact, no long-term (≤1yr) or irreversible damage. Reputation impacted with some stakeholders; community support decreased. Series of adverse articles in local/ state media coverage.	Severe environmental impact requiring significant remedial action (1-5yrs). Reputation impacted with several stakeholders; substantial public concern. Short-term adverse national media coverage.	Long-term (>5yrs) environmental impact with on-going liabilities &/or possible site closure. Reputation impacted with most stakeholders; continuous public criticism; administrators appointed. Extensive adverse national/ international media coverage.
Operational risk	Negligible impact, brief service interruption. University wide interruption to teaching, research &/or administration services during peak period of <1/2 day.	Temporary & recoverable failure causing inconvenient service interruption. University wide interruption to teaching, research &/or administration services during peak period of between 1/2 day & 1 day.	Temporary & recoverable failure causing intermittent service interruption & client dissatisfaction. University wide interruption to teaching, research &/or administration services during peak period of between 1 day & 3 days.	Widespread loss causing lengthy interruption of essential services. University wide interruption to teaching, research &/or administration services during peak period of between 3 days & 1 week.	Extensive loss of essential services. University wide interruption to teaching, research &/or administration services during peak period of >1 week.
Regulatory and Compliance	Negligible breach that is easily rectified. Non-compliance results in minor pecuniary penalties.	Minor breach of legislation with unlikely litigation and minor pecuniary penalties. Breach is contained to a small area within the University.	Moderate breach or failure to supply information causing investigation/report to authority. Breach may have some reputational consequences.	Major breach or failure to supply required information with the possibility of litigation or fines and regulatory action with reputational consequences. Major breach or failure to supply information which results in damage to the relationship with UniSC’s regulators. Breach impacts multiple areas of the University. Non-compliance may place individuals at risk of harm. Liability may shift to Executive Officers.	Significant breach of legislation which is likely to result in litigation or pecuniary penalties and severe reputational consequences. Regulator/ Government reporting and oversight. Breach significantly impacts the University’s financial viability or the operational viability of critical functions.

*Budget – all projects assumed to include 15% contingency funding in the approved budget, therefore Insignificant and Minor impacts should be able to be absorbed within approved project plan.

#Schedule – all projects assumed to have in-built time contingency, therefore Insignificant and Minor impacts should be able to be absorbed within approved project plan.

Project delay calculation examples:

Project duration = 30 business days (6 weeks): if Delay is less than 2 days then Minor, 2-3 days then Moderate, 4-6 days then Major, or 7 days or more than Catastrophic.

Project duration = 60 business days (12 weeks): if Delay is less than 3 days then Minor, 3-6 days then Moderate, 7-14 days then Major, or 15 days or more than Catastrophic.

Project duration = 130 business days (26 weeks): if Delay is less than 6 days then Minor, 6-13 days then Moderate, 14-32 days then Major, or 33 days or more than Catastrophic.