In Construction Hazards – Early Identification and Risk Control, electrical expert witness Gregory W. Miller, P.E., B.S.E.E, writes:
1. Identifying the Hazards – This is the first step. It includes walking the project site and meeting with the project and design engineers to get a handle on the scope and activities associated with the project. A well-developed HIP will provide the safety professional with the ability to target his questions and focus his initial investigation into the high-rate hazards. Typical questions covered by the HIP include:
What existing hazards exist at or near the site? Power lines? Pipelines? Nearby population & traffic?
What construction techniques might create hazards? Blasting? Excavations? Heavy lifts? Chemical handling? Steel erection? Hot work? Hot tie-ins?
What high-risk tasks will be employed?