Qualitative Risk Assessment in Water Bottling Production: A Case Study of Maan Nestlé Pure Life Factory

Abstract

A comprehensive qualitative risk assessment (QRA) was conducted at the Maan Nestlé Pure Life factory, encompassing its production, storage, and bottling sections. Through a meticulous review of records, analysis of activities, and examination of work procedures, potential hazards within the factory were identified and subsequently categorized using the risk matrix technique. In total, seventeen hazards were identified, of which seven were deemed high risk, eight medium, and two low. This assessment underscores the imperative for measures aimed at risk control, reduction, or elimination. The QRA's qualitative approach, while effective in broad hazard identification, may have led to an incomplete hazard inventory. Nonetheless, it proved instrumental in pinpointing safety hazards and informing the development of robust safety policies. These policies integrate considerations of human behavior and equipment failure, focusing on preserving product quality while safeguarding the business and its operators. Despite the presence of an unsafe workplace, the study revealed that the need for new infrastructure is non-essential. Instead, a series of modifications are recommended, including the replacement of defective roofs, installation of electrical rolls and lifts, segregation of chemical storage, personnel training, and various ergonomic and procedural adjustments. The study further advocates for a subsequent phase of analysis utilizing quantitative techniques such as fault tree analysis. This is particularly pertinent for hazards requiring specific root cause identification, enabling the determination of necessary safety controls to address these root causes and prevent hazard occurrence.