What does IPERC mean?
IPERC encompasses hazard identification, risk assessment, and control determination. In Peru, it is integrated into the obligations of Law 29783 and its regulations. Article 77, amended by Supreme Decree 002-2020-TR, specifies its preparation for each job position, with the participation of competent personnel and consultation with workers and their representatives.
The matrix is a way to document this process, not its purpose. A lengthy table can be of little use if it doesn’t allow you to recognize where exposure exists and what needs to be done. Risk identification and assessment require understanding the task before assigning a score, especially when conditions change between shifts, locations, or methods of performing the same activity.
What activities should be considered
The IPERC (Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Determination of Controls) must encompass routine and non-routine activities, existing or anticipated conditions, and work-related emergencies. It must also consider particularly vulnerable individuals and relevant information on health hazards and surveillance. This comprehensive approach prevents the assessment from being limited to simply observing normal operations during a brief visit.
During preparation, it’s helpful to identify cleaning, adjustments, maintenance, receiving materials, and troubleshooting operations. These are often performed less frequently but can involve significant exposure. It’s important to clarify who performs them and what resources they use. Grouping them under a generic description like “other tasks” makes it difficult to identify specific measures and verify their implementation later.
How to identify hazards in sufficient detail
The description must distinguish the source of the hazard, the exposure situation, and the potential harm. For example, mentioning a machine does not explain which part of the process generates the risk or who might come into contact with it. The analysis becomes more precise when it incorporates access points, movements, energy sources, substances, and organizational conditions involved in the task.
Consulting with those who work helps to identify variations that don’t always appear in the procedures. It’s advisable to compare what was planned with what was observed and record any relevant differences. The goal isn’t to find someone to blame for each deviation, but to understand why it occurs and what conditions need to change so that the work can be carried out with adequate controls.
Evaluation and criteria used
The assessment needs consistent and explainable criteria. A probability and consequence scale can help prioritize, but it does not replace specialized measurements or studies when necessary. The choice must consider the hazard and applicable requirements. Not all exposures are adequately addressed by a general scoring matrix.
It is important to document the assumptions and the missing information. If a control has not yet been implemented, it should not be used as if it already reduces current exposure. Distinguishing between the existing situation and the anticipated situation facilitates prioritization and prevents presenting a risk as resolved when it still depends on pending action.
Determination and monitoring of controls
The hierarchy of controls guides the selection of measures, aiming to address the hazard and the exposure. The decision must be translated into actions with assigned responsibilities, deadlines, and resources. Preventive planning allows for monitoring these actions and verifying that they produce the expected reduction in working conditions.
A control needs to be described in a verifiable way. Simply stating “take care” is insufficient to modify the task. Installing a safeguard, changing a process, or establishing a specific check requires detailing how it will be implemented and maintained. Subsequent review should also consider whether the solution introduces new difficulties that might lead to its removal or non-compliance during operation.
Update and change management
SUNAFIL reminds employers that periodic updates cannot exceed one year. Furthermore, changes in working conditions and harm to health or safety may require an earlier review. The annual schedule should not be used as a reason to postpone the evaluation of equipment, products, procedures, or spaces that have recently been modified.
It’s advisable to link the IPERC (Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Determination of Controls) with purchasing, maintenance, and work organization. When someone proposes a change, there should be a mechanism to assess its consequences before implementing it. Recording what was reviewed and why helps maintain traceability. It also allows you to identify which parts of the previous assessment remain valid and which require new information.
Practical example
In a hypothetical scenario, a warehouse adds an extra shift and begins order picking in an area previously used only for storage. The company reviews traffic flow, handling procedures, lighting, and vehicle coordination. They consult with the new shift staff and find that some existing measures don’t adequately address the new mix of activities.
The IPERC (Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Determination of Controls) is updated, and the actions are incorporated into the preventive program. Before considering the change complete, the segregation of duties and understanding of the instructions are verified. This example demonstrates that an organizational modification can alter risks without the need to purchase a new machine, and that the assessment should follow the actual work.
Evidence that should be preserved
A useful risk assessment (IPERC) provides information on version, date, roles, participants, criteria, and controls. It must be linked to the information received by exposed individuals and to records of subsequent actions. Retaining only the signed document, without the decisions it generates, reduces the ability to verify its effectiveness or explain how a specific exposure was managed.
The regulations of Law 29783 provide the framework that must be reviewed in conjunction with sector-specific provisions. Adaptation to each activity is essential: a matrix from another company can guide the structure, but it does not guarantee that hazards have been identified, staff consulted, or controls verified at the facility itself.
