Safety Risk Assessment Using the HIRARC Method in Malaysian TVET Institutions

Abstract

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions are exposed to various risks, as they involve industrial training that contributes to potential hazards. The problem statement of this study is to address risk management within an institution that operates 33 branches, each specializing in a different field. This study aims to assess occupational safety and health risks present in Malaysian TVET institutions. The study employs the Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Risk Control (HIRARC) methodology. The study collected n = 190 qualitative reports, which were subsequently mapped onto a 5×5 two-dimensional matrix grid. The quantitative HIRARC assessment revealed that 139 risks (73.2%) were classified as low, 43 (22.6%) medium, and 8 (4.2%) high. The risk assessment identified the dominant contributing factors to be facility 61 cases or 32.1%, followed by maintenance 58 cases (30.5%), personal protective equipment 49 cases (25.8%), and ergonomics 22 cases (11.6%). This study enhances the understanding of risk assessment by utilizing mixed methods, which provide more detailed insights. The study recommends that future research broaden the scope of safety risk assessments to include educational institutions beyond TVET settings.