Risk assessment is a process where you identify hazards and risk factors and analyse and evaluate the risk associated with each hazard and risk. It involves various stages such as hazard identification, risk analysis, risk evaluation, risk elimination, and risk control.
Several risk assessment templates are available to make the job easier.
Risk assessment process
In simple terms, a risk assessment is nothing but evaluating what could happen if someone or someone is exposed to a particular hazard and the likelihood of it happening. Risk assessment helps to determine:
- The severity of a risk
- Effectiveness of available control measures
- Action to be taken for controlling the risk
- The urgency of that action
Risk assessment can be of varying detail, depending on the type of hazard and the information and resources that are at your disposal. It could be as simple as a discussion with the workforce or might need specialised professional advice. Expert advice is highly recommended for any complex situation.
When to do a risk assessment?
Work health and safety risk management is an ongoing process that needs regular attention but more so when there are changes that affect work activities. Risk assessment for vulnerable workers needs special attention, depending on the nature of work they perform and the workplace itself.
Some scenarios where regular risk assessment process takes place are when:
- changes occur in work practices, processes, or the work environment itself
- operations recommence following a shutdown
- operations increase after a period of reduced operations
- workers are introduced back into the workplace after an interval
- there is a need to respond to workplace incidents
- it requires a response to concerns raised by workers, health and safety representatives, or other concerned parties at the workplace
Risk assessments should be reviewed periodically as the operating environment changes or when new information on risks is available.
How to do a risk assessment?
Risk assessments must be performed by a competent person or team with a good working knowledge of the situation being studied. The first step would be to identify potential hazards. All regular operational situations and non-standard events should be considered, along with a review of health and safety information.
Once the risk is identified, it should be analysed and evaluated based on the probability and severity of it happening.
Also consider the probable damages it might cause, especially to the people and to the property. The next step would be to determine the steps required to eliminate and/or minimise the probability and severity of the event occurring.
In case it cannot be eliminated, steps must be taken to ensure the impact is minimal. It is also important to take such steps to ensure that it is prevented in the future, if possible.
While all this might seem like a complicated process, with the help of a well-drafted risk assessment form, you can expect to cover all areas of concern.