Non-Routine Tasks:
Your Role in Preventing Accidents
Fall and winter are a typical time for companies to perform repairs and other non-routine tasks. These non-routine jobs are tasks that are performed infrequently or for the first time. Because the tasks are rare or uncommon, job hazards may be overlooked. Sadly, these situations may result in a tragedy or near-miss for the employee.
Thinking proactively and identifying hazards before starting a task can help prevent these incidents. Prior to performing non-routine work, it’s important to consider what might go wrong, and potential incidents and/or injuries that could result. Having a well-thought-out and documented plan to perform these tasks will help keep your employees safe.
Before performing a non-routine task, consider the following:
- Conduct a survey of the hazards involved. Performing the task may expose employees to potentially hazardous situations not encountered during their normal work activities. Conduct a hazard assessment, such as a job safety analysis, to identify potential hazards.
- Determine if the task needs to be outsourced. Tasks that may expose employees to potentially hazardous situations not encountered during their normal work activities need further evaluation. Working at heights, working in confined spaces, and/or release of hazardous energy are situations that could present unfamiliar issues requiring training and specialized equipment. When these hazards are present, you should strongly consider contracting out the non-routine task to an organization that performs the task on a regular basis and is familiar with both the work and the hazards involved.
- Develop a procedure to perform the task. If you determine the task can be safely performed in-house, you’ll need to develop a written procedure with the hazard control measures clearly specified. The very fact that the activities are non-routine makes the potential for an adverse incident more likely.
- Select the right personnel. Employees designated to carry out the job may not have experience performing the task. Individuals who are physically prepared to perform the demands of the job, mentally prepared to understand new procedures, follow exact directions, and feel comfortable performing the tasks are the best candidates.
- Train and prepare personnel for the job. It is critical that employees are trained on how to perform the job safely and the hazards involved. Train employees on performing the task and specific procedures, including the proper hazard control measures and use of any specialized tools/equipment (including personal protective equipment). Even if you may have done the task in previous years, the employees who completed the function in the past may not be with the organization anymore. Employees who have previously completed the task also might not remember the details.
- Remember that experience should never substitute necessary training. Some employees may claim knowledge of the task based on experience performing a similar job. Regardless of their prior experience, you should still conduct training for that particular task. The operation may be different, plus the fact that they don’t routinely do the task makes training critical. Ensure employees (even when experienced) understand expectations and procedure for the non-routine task.
- Evaluate the use of hazardous substances. When a hazardous chemical not normally used in the area may be required, this exposes employees to chemical hazards. Review the Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for any chemicals introduced in the process to determine potential hazards the use of the chemicals may create. Establish and implement proper training, controls, and protective equipment that may be required.
Non-routine tasks present many challenges, including the potential for a serious injury. Proper evaluation, planning, and preparation – including the identification and control of the anticipated hazards – can help reduce risk. In the end, you must evaluate and determine if the best choice is to do the job in-house and take on the responsibility to safely do the task yourself.
