Risk Assessment Procedures
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by Afnan Tajuddin
Risk assessment
Risk assessment is essential in ensuring safety and well-being in any organization.
This process identifies, evaluates, and prioritizes potential risks in a workplace or
activity, resulting in safer working environments, accidents prevention, and increasing
safety awareness. The five steps to conducting a risk assessment involve identifying
the hazard, assessing the risk, implementing controls and safeguards, reassessing the
risk with control in place, and confirming the reduced risk. The article provides
examples of risk control measures, techniques for effective risk control, and methods
for evaluating risks.
Table of Contents
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Understanding Risk Assessment
Benefits of Conducting a Risk Assessment
5 Steps to Conducting a Risk Assessment
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1. Identify the hazard.
2. Assess the risk
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3. Risk Control : Put controls/safe guards in place
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1. Definition of Risk Control:
2. Importance of Risk Control in Risk Assessment:
3. Methods for Controlling Risks: There are several methods for controlling
risks in the workplace, including:
4. Techniques for Effective Risk Control: To ensure the effectiveness of risk
control measures, it is essential to follow these techniques:
5. Examples of Controls Commonly Used in Workplaces: Examples of
common risk control measures in workplaces include:
4. Re-assess the risk with control in place
5. Confirmation of reduced risk
Who needs to do a risk assessment
When should I do a risk assessment
When to Update Risk Assessment
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Risk Assessment
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Risk matrix (Risk assessment matrix)
Guidelines for assessing Severity
Guidelines for assessing Likelihood
Methods for Analyzing Risks
Risk Evaluation
1. Failing to Identify All Potential Hazards:
2. Underestimating the Likelihood or Severity of Harm:
3. Failing to Implement Appropriate Controls:
4. Failing to Review and Update Assessments Regularly:
5. Examples of Common Mistake:
6. Techniques for Avoiding Common Mistakes:
Challenges of Conducting a Risk Assessment
Tools and Resources for Conducting Risk Assessment
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1. Risk Assessment Templates
2. Online Risk Assessment Software
3. Government Resources and Guidelines
4. Other Useful Tools and Resources
5. Examples of Successful Use of Tools and Resources
Understanding Risk Assessment
Risk assessment is a vital process that every organization must undertake to ensure
the safety and well-being of its employees, customers, and the public. It is the
process of identifying, evaluating, and prioritizing potential hazards or risks in a
workplace or activity. A risk assessment is crucial because it helps organizations
understand the level of risk and take appropriate measures to control or eliminate
the identified risks.
The basic principles of risk assessment include the identification of hazards, the
assessment of risks associated with these hazards, the identification of control
measures to mitigate these risks, and the review and monitoring of these control
measures.
Benefits of Conducting a Risk Assessment
Conducting a risk assessment provides several benefits to an organization. The
primary benefit is the protection of employees and customers from harm. By
identifying and controlling potential hazards, organizations can prevent accidents
and injuries from occurring.
Conducting a risk assessment also increases safety awareness and promotes a safety
culture within an organization. By involving employees in the risk assessment
process, they become more aware of potential hazards and how to control them. This
results in a safer working environment and reduces the likelihood of accidents and
incidents.
In addition, conducting a risk assessment demonstrates legal compliance and due
diligence. It is a legal requirement for employers to provide a safe working
environment, and conducting a risk assessment is an essential step in fulfilling this
requirement. It also helps to reduce insurance premiums, as insurance companies are
more likely to offer lower premiums to organizations that have a thorough and
effective risk assessment process in place.
5 Steps to Conducting a Risk Assessment
There are 5 steps to conduct a risk assessment:
1. Identify the hazard.
2. Assess the risk
3. Put controls/safe guards in place
4. Re-assess the risk with control in place.
5. Confirmation of reduced risk.
1. Identify the hazard.
Hazard identification is the process of identifying all hazards at risk in your work
environment.
Many hazards exist in the workplace. Some of these can be easily identified such
as manual handling, but others are less obvious and may not even show up on
accident reports or injury logs. Consider how people work with plant equipment to
identify hidden hazards that could cause harm without being detected by existing
records (such as a new cleaning solution). Identifying what hazardous substances are
used is also important when thinking about potential health risks for workers who
use them regularly or come into contact during maintenance operations. For
example, many workplaces contain asbestos which poses severe dangers if inhaled
over time due to its link to respiratory illnesses like lung cancer.
Four risk categories to be use to identify hazards: Extreme, High, Moderate, and Low.
2. Assess the risk
Once you have identified what hazards may be present. decide how likely it is that
someone could be harmed by these and to what extent if so. This is assessing the
level of risk for your business premises or workplace environment with regard to
those potential hazards. Decide: who might be harmed; what action you’re already
taking in order to reduce this harm happening again (control measures); any further
steps needed-who will carry out this necessary action; when they need to do it by
Risk matrix (Risk assessment matrix)
With all the risks that are out there, a risk matrix can be an easy way to assess the
risk. The Risk Matrix is an incredible tool for quickly calculating the risk of a project. It
helps identify what could go wrong (likelihood) and how much damage it would
cause if these outcomes occurred (severity). This makes prioritizing issues quick and
simple so you know which ones need attention.
Guidelines for assessing Severity
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Major: Environmental Loss (Major pollution affecting life outside site), People
(Fatality or Permanent disability.)
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Serious: Environmental Loss (Major pollution confined to the inside site),
People (Long term absence / Offsite treatment)
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Moderate: Environmental Loss (Significant pollution causing a shutdown of
units), People (Moderate treatment / Shot term absence)
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Minor: Environmental Loss (Pollution above limits / Small spills, emissions),
People (First aid case / No significant injury)
Guidelines for assessing Likelihood
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Very unlikely : Little or no chance of occurrence
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Unlikely
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Possible
: 50 / 50 chance
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Probable
: More likely to occur than not more than 50 / 50 chance
: Could occur, less than 50 / 50 chance
Risk assessment Matrix
Methods for Analyzing Risks
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Qualitative analysis: simple and cost-effective approach that involves
identifying and ranking hazards based on their likelihood and severity
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Semi-quantitative analysis: assigns numerical values to the severity and
likelihood of risks to calculate a risk score
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Quantitative analysis: involves using statistical methods to quantify the
probability of a risk occurring and its potential impact
Risk Evaluation
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Determining whether risk levels are acceptable or unacceptable based on the
results of the risk analysis
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Methods for evaluating risks: risk severity matrix, risk priority number, and risk
ranking
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Developing controls that reduce risk to an acceptable level, considering the
organization’s priorities, resources, and overall business goals
3. Risk Control : Put controls/safe guards in place
1. Definition of Risk Control:
Risk control refers to the implementation of measures or strategies to mitigate or
eliminate the potential risks identified during the risk assessment process.
2. Importance of Risk Control in Risk Assessment:
Risk control is a crucial part of the risk assessment process because it helps to ensure
the safety and health of workers and others who may be affected by workplace
hazards. Effective risk control measures can prevent accidents, injuries, and illnesses,
and can also minimize financial losses and damage to equipment and property.
3. Methods for Controlling Risks: There are several methods for controlling risks
in the workplace, including:
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Elimination: Elimination involves completely removing the hazard or risk from
the workplace. This may involve replacing hazardous equipment or
substances with safer alternatives or modifying work processes to eliminate
the risk altogether.
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Substitution: Substitution involves replacing a hazardous substance, material,
or process with a less hazardous alternative.
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Engineering Controls: Engineering controls involve designing or modifying
equipment, tools, or processes to minimize the risk of exposure to hazardous
conditions. Examples include ventilation systems, noise reduction measures,
and machine guards.
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Administrative Controls: Administrative controls involve implementing policies
and procedures to control the risk of exposure to hazardous conditions.
Examples include training programs, job rotation, and work scheduling.
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Personal Protective Equipment: Personal protective equipment (PPE)
involves providing workers with protective gear to reduce their exposure to
hazardous conditions. Examples include hard hats, gloves, respirators, and
safety glasses.
4. Techniques for Effective Risk Control: To ensure the effectiveness of risk
control measures, it is essential to follow these techniques:
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Involve workers in the risk assessment and control process
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Implement a hierarchy of controls (starting with elimination, substitution,
engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE)
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Regularly review and evaluate risk control measures and adjust them if
necessary.
5. Examples of Controls Commonly Used in Workplaces: Examples of common risk
control measures in workplaces include:
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Installing guards or barriers around machinery
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Providing personal protective equipment (PPE) to workers
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Implementing lockout/tag-out procedures to prevent accidental start-up of
machinery
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Using ventilation systems to control exposure to hazardous substances
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Providing training programs to workers to increase their awareness of
workplace hazards.
4. Re-assess the risk with control in place
After implementing control measures to reduce or eliminate the identified risks, it is
essential to re-assess the risks to ensure that they have been adequately controlled.
This involves reviewing the effectiveness of the control measures in place and
evaluating whether they have reduced the level of risk to an acceptable level.
To do this, ask yourself the following questions:
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Have the control measures been implemented as planned?
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Have they effectively reduced or eliminated the identified hazards or risks?
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Are there any new hazards or risks that have emerged as a result of the
control measures?
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Have the control measures introduced any new risks?
Based on the answers to these questions, you may need to revise the control
measures or implement additional ones to further reduce the risks.
5. Confirmation of reduced risk
Confirmation of the reduced risk is a crucial step in the risk assessment process. It
involves reviewing the control measures that have been put in place and assessing
their effectiveness in reducing or eliminating the identified hazards. This step can be
done through a range of methods, including:
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Regular inspections of the workplace to identify any new hazards or potential
risks that may have arisen.
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Monitoring the workplace to ensure that the control measures are being
implemented correctly.
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Reviewing the incident records to see if there have been any incidents or near
misses related to the identified hazards.
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Seeking feedback from employees to identify any issues or concerns related
to the control measures in place.
It’s important to regularly review and update the risk assessment to ensure that the
control measures remain effective and that any new hazards or risks are identified
and addressed promptly. By regularly reviewing the risk assessment, it’s possible to
ensure that the workplace remains safe and healthy for all employees.
Who needs to do a risk assessment
The team will be led by the project manager, who is in charge of managing safety for
a particular site. The Area Safety Engineer, Shift supervisors, and any other engineer if
necessary. should have experience with risk assessment tools like
MSHA’s HAZCOM or OSHA’s EH&S Toolkit to ensure they can properly assess risks at
construction sites.
When should I do a risk assessment
Risk assessments are an essential step to prevent harm and accidents on site. risk
assessment shall be prepared before starting any work & it is required for all
activities.
When to Update Risk Assessment
In order to keep up with the ever-changing world, it’s important that you update
your risk assessment regularly. In the construction industry, there are many reasons
for updating your risk assessment.
Changes to design or materials may demand a new hazard analysis.
After an accident has occurred that requires changes in safety protocol If key
equipment changes. Even small company policies updates. A project suspension will
also require a constant reassessment of what consequences this would have for
workers’ lives. A new subcontractor who join in work process so it’s necessary for any
risk assessment need to update too.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Risk Assessment
1. Failing to Identify All Potential Hazards:
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Risk assessments must identify all potential hazards to accurately evaluate
the risks.
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Skipping or overlooking some hazards can lead to incorrect risk assessment
and ineffective controls.
2. Underestimating the Likelihood or Severity of Harm:
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Assessing the likelihood and severity of harm is critical to effective risk
assessment.
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Underestimating these factors can lead to ineffective controls and increased
risk exposure.
3. Failing to Implement Appropriate Controls:
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The purpose of risk assessment is to identify the appropriate controls to
reduce risk.
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Not implementing the appropriate controls or implementing ineffective controls
can result in unnecessary risk.
4. Failing to Review and Update Assessments Regularly:
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Risk assessments must be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that
controls remain effective.
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Failing to do so can result in outdated assessments and ineffective controls.
5. Examples of Common Mistake:
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Failing to identify all potential hazards: A warehouse risk assessment fails to
identify the risk of slips and falls from a wet floor.
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Underestimating the likelihood or severity of harm: A machine operator fails to
recognize the potential danger of a malfunctioning machine.
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Failing to implement appropriate controls: A company identifies the hazard of
a chemical spill but fails to implement proper storage and handling
procedures.
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Failing to review and update assessments regularly: A construction company
conducts a risk assessment for a new project but fails to review and update
the assessment as the project progresses.
6. Techniques for Avoiding Common Mistakes:
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Use a comprehensive hazard checklist to identify all potential hazards.
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Use objective criteria to assess the likelihood and severity of harm.
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Use the hierarchy of controls to identify the most effective controls for the
identified hazards.
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Establish a regular review schedule and ensure that assessments are
updated as necessary.
Challenges of Conducting a Risk Assessment
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Lack of resources: Conducting a comprehensive risk assessment requires
adequate resources such as time, funding, and personnel. Inadequate
resources can lead to a rushed or incomplete risk assessment, which may
miss crucial risks or hazards.
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Lack of knowledge and expertise: Conducting a risk assessment requires a
certain level of expertise and knowledge. Without it, identifying potential
hazards and assessing risks can be challenging, leading to inaccurate
assessments and inadequate risk management.
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Difficulty in identifying all potential hazards and risks: It can be challenging to
identify all potential hazards and risks in a complex work environment. Some
risks may not be apparent, and others may be overlooked, leading to
incomplete or inaccurate risk assessments.
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Resistance to change: Conducting a risk assessment may require changes in
the work environment, work practices, and procedures, which may be met
with resistance from employees or management. This can make it challenging
to implement and maintain a risk management plan.
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Changing work environment: Work environments are continually changing,
and risk assessments must be updated accordingly. This can be a challenge,
particularly in industries with rapidly evolving technologies, processes, or
equipment. Failure to keep up with these changes can lead to outdated or
inaccurate risk assessments.
Tools and Resources for Conducting Risk Assessment
1. Risk Assessment Templates
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Templates are pre-designed forms that can help to streamline the risk
assessment process
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They provide a framework for identifying and assessing risks in a consistent
manner
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Templates can be customized to fit the specific needs of an organization
2. Online Risk Assessment Software
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Online software can be used to conduct and manage risk assessments
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They provide a centralized location for storing risk assessment data
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Some software can automate the risk assessment process, including
generating reports and recommending controls
3. Government Resources and Guidelines
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Governments often provide resources and guidelines for conducting risk
assessments
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These resources can be a valuable source of information on best practices
and legal requirements
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Examples of government resources include the Occupational Safety and
Health Administration (OSHA) in the United States and the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE) in the United Kingdom
4. Other Useful Tools and Resources
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There are many other tools and resources available for conducting risk
assessments, such as checklists and decision-making frameworks
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Organizations can also seek the expertise of consultants or industry
associations for guidance on conducting risk assessments
5. Examples of Successful Use of Tools and Resources
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A manufacturing company successfully used a risk assessment template to
identify hazards in their production process and implement appropriate
controls
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An online retailer used risk assessment software to centralize their risk
assessment data and automate the process of generating reports for
regulatory compliance
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A construction company used government resources and guidelines to ensure
compliance with legal requirements and improve their safety record.