Risk Assessment
Risk Assessment
Risk Assessment
RISK ASSESSMENT
GENERAL INFORMATION
SAYED SALLAM
1/15/2010
identify hazards,
analyze or evaluate the risk associated with that hazard, and
determine appropriate ways to eliminate or control the hazard.
For definitions and more information about what hazards and risks are, please see
the OSH Answers document "Hazard and Risk".
Risk assessments are very important as they form an integral part of a good
occupational health and safety management plan. They help to:
The aim of the risk assessment process is to remove a hazard or reduce the level of
its risk by adding precautions or control measures, as necessary. By doing so, you
have created a safer and healthier workplace.
identify hazards,
evaluate the likelihood of an injury or illness occurring, and its severity,
consider normal operational situations as well as non-standard events such as
shutdowns, power outages, emergencies, etc.,
review all available heath and safety information about the hazard such as MSDSs,
manufacturers literature, information from reputable organizations, results of
testing, etc.,
identify actions necessary to eliminate or control the risk,
monitor and evaluate to confirm the risk is controlled,
keep any documentation or records that may be necessary. Documentation may
include detailing the process used to assess the risk, outlining any evaluations, or
detailing how conclusions were made.
the methods and procedures used in the processing, use, handling or storage of
the substance, etc..
the actual and the potential exposure of workers,
the measures and procedures necessary to control such exposure by means of
engineering controls, work practices, and hygiene practices and facilities.
By determining the level of risk associated with the hazard, the employer and the
joint health and safety committee can decide whether a control program is required.
It is important to remember that the assessment must take into account not only the
current state of the workplace but any potential situations as well.
Overall, the goal is to find and record possible hazards that may be present in your
workplace. As mentioned, it may help to work as a team and include both people
familiar with the work area, as well as people who are not - this way you have both
the "experienced" and "fresh" eye to conduct the inspection.
Table 1
Example of Risk Assessment
Each hazard should be studied to determine its' level of risk. To research the hazard,
you can look at:
Remember to include factors that contribute to the level of risk such as the:
Ranking or prioritizing hazards is one way to help determine which hazard is the
most serious and thus which hazard to control first. Priority is usually established by
taking into account the employee exposure and the potential for accident, injury or
illness. By assigning a priority to the hazards, you are creating a ranking or an action
list. The following factors play an important role:
There is no one simple or single way to determine the level of risk. Ranking hazards
requires the knowledge of the workplace activities, urgency of situations, and most
importantly, objective judgement.
One option is to use a table similar to the following as established by the British
Standards Organization:
Table 2
Risk Assessment by the British Standards Organization
Severity of Harm
Likelihood of Harm
Slight Harm Moderate Harm Extreme Harm
Very unlikely Very low risk Very low risk High risk
Very likely Low risk Very high risk Very high risk
Note: These categorizations and the resulting asymmetry of the matrix arise from the
examples of harm and likelihood illustrated within the British Standard. Organizations
should adjust the design and size of the matrix to suit their needs.
Very Likely - Typically experienced at least once every six months by an individual.
1. slightly harmful (e.g., superficial injuries; minor cuts and bruises; eye irritation
from dust; nuisance and irritation; ill-health leading to temporary discomfort)
2. harmful (e.g., lacerations; burns; concussion; serious sprains; minor fractures;
deafness; dermatitis; asthma; work-related upper limb disorders; ill-health)
3. extremely harmful (e.g., amputations; major fractures; poisonings; multiple
injuries; fatal injuries; occupational cancer; other severely life shortening diseases;
acute fatal diseases)
Definition for Risk Level - Tolerability Guidance on necessary action and timescale
Very low - These risks are considered acceptable. No further action is necessary
other than to ensure that the controls are maintained.
Low - No additional controls are required unless they can be implemented at very
low cost (in terms of time, money, and effort). Actions to further reduce these risks
are assigned low priority. Arrangements should be made to ensure that the controls
are maintained.
High - Substantial efforts should be made to reduce the risk. Risk reduction
measures should be implemented urgently within a defined time period and it might
be necessary to consider suspending or restricting the activity, or to apply interim
risk control measures, until this has been completed. Considerable resources might
have to be allocated to additional control measures. Arrangements should be made
Very high - These risk are unacceptable. Substantial improvements in risk control
measures are necessary so that the risk is reduced to a tolerable or acceptable level.
The work activity should be halted until risk controls are implemented that reduces
the risk so that it is no longer very high. If it is not possible to reduce the risk, the
work should remain prohibited.
Note: Where the risk is associated with extremely harmful consequences, further
assessment is necessary to increase confidence in the likelihood of harm.
Adapted From:
Table 3
Hazard Control Strategy: A Sample Worksheet
Noise 30 L H 30-LH 3
Heat 50 L L 50-LL 5
Lasers 2 L H 2-HL 4
H = High, L = Low
Table 4
Example of Hazard Priority Setting
Kill or cause
permanent
1 1 2 3
disability or ill
health
Medical attention
and several days 2 3 4 5
off work
From: "Hazpak: Making your workplace safer. A practical guide to basic risk
management" by WorkCover New South Wales, Australia.[n.d.] .
Once you have established your top priorities, you can decide on ways to control
each specific hazard. Hazard control methods are often grouped into the following
categories:
For more details, please see the OSH Answers "Hazard Control".
It is important to know if your risk assessment was complete and accurate. It is also
essential to be sure that changes in the workplace have not introduced new hazards
or changed hazards that were once ranked as lower priority to a higher priority.
Keeping records of your assessment and any control actions taken is very important.
You may be required to store assessments for a specific number of years. Check for
local requirements in your jurisdiction.