Risk Assessing

Risk Assessing

What is risk?

What do we really mean by risk?

To ensure a safe work environment, you need to understand the definition
of risk.

To define risk, we first need to take a look at a few basic terms…

For a hazard to cause harm, a
hazardous event must happen

For a hazard to cause harm, a
hazardous event must happen

Risk is the combination of the
likelihood of a hazardous event occurring, and the consequence of the event

          Risk  =  Likelihood       x       Consequence

What is a risk assessment?

A risk assessment is a careful examination of anything in your work environment that could cause injury or ill health

A risk assessment helps to protect:

•you

•your workforce and others

•your business

How are risk assessments carried out?

2. Identify the risks

2. Identify the risks

2. Identify the risks

•What are the hazards?

•Who might be harmed?

•How might they be harmed?

3. Estimate the risk

You need to consider two things:

•how likely is it that something could go wrong?

•how serious would the outcome be?

Consequence

 4. Evaluate the risk

Now that you’ve estimated the risk, what are you going to do about it?

 4. Evaluate the risk

Likelihood:

5 – Very likely

4 – Likely

3 – Fairly likely

2 – Unlikely

1 – Very unlikely

4. Evaluate the risk

Consequence:

5 – Catastrophic

4 – Major

3 – Moderate

2 – Minor

1 – Insignificant

5. Record your findings

•the location, activity and
equipment being assessed

•hazards and risk levels

•risk controls

•assessor’s details

•date and time

•review date

6. Review your findings

When changes occur (personnel, equipment or activities), you should review your risk assessments.

It’s a legal requirement to review assessments regularly

Tips to improve your risk assessment:

•Make sure it’s suitable and sufficient

•Better data helps make better judgements

•Involve the people it’s likely to affect

•Conditions may vary from site to site

•Consider “on the spot” assessments

Put risk assessment into practice

Key learning points:

•What is risk?

•What is a risk assessment?

How are risk assessments carried out