At the start of provision of Occupational Health Services for an organization, preliminary orientation and familiarization to the occupational safety and health situation of the organization is required. The objectives of the Health Risk Assessment (HRA) or Walk-Through Survey (WTS) includes:

• identification and evaluation of the environmental factors that may affect the workers’ health

• assessment of factors in the organization of work that may give rise to risks for the health of workers

• assessment of collective and personal protective equipment that are available in the workplace

• assessment by valid and generally accepted monitoring methods, of exposure of workers to hazardous agents

• assessment of control systems designed to eliminate or reduce exposure

This orientation / walk-through survey involves the following steps:

1. Determination of the type of production to advise the types of hazards typical within the economic activity, work or occupation which the employee may be expected to be encountered in the workplace and helps identify those that will need attention.

2. Review of concerns that have been identified by previous/current occupational health professionals, management, workers or other specialists and occupational health measures that have previously been undertaken at the workplace to indicate the perception of the problems by the workplace. This review includes examination of reports of occupational health and safety activities, industrial hygiene measurements as well as biological monitoring data

3. Assessment of the characteristics of the workforce – this includes numbers by age, sex, ethnic background, medical, surgical, social and family history, occupational classifications and work history. This will also help to identify vulnerable groups and those with special needs.

4. Review of data on occupational diseases, accidents and sickness absenteeism. This is sorted by department, occupation and type of work, causative factors as well as the type of injury or disease.

5. Review of any available occupational hygiene reports to identify the priority problems. This entails assessment of working methods, chemical substances handled at work, recent exposure measurements and the numbers of workers exposed to special hazards.

6. Assess the knowledge employees have of occupational health problems, the extent of their training in emergency measures and first-aid, and the prospects for an effective occupational safety and health committee should be explored.

After this survey a hazard inventory prepared after identifying each hazard inherent in the workplace. This inventory is necessary for estimating a potential for exposure and suggesting control measures. The types of hazards are categorized as chemical, physical, biological, psychological or ergonomic. Depending on the type and intensity of hazard, method of exposure, frequency of exposure and other individual-level factors, these can have acute, chronic or fatal outcomes.