Risk Assesment

Question 1

a risk assesment can include what types of tests?

Answer 1

visual inspection
test
audit
technical or scientific evaluation
analysis of injury/incident data
discussions with relevant parties
quantitative assesment using a risk matrix

Question 2

why are risk assesments important

Answer 2

• create awareness of the risk or hazard and identify the people who may be harmed by these hazards/risks. to check if the present measures are adequate, prevent injuries or ilnesses and prioritize hazards and control measures. the main aim is for a safer and healthier work environment.

Question 3

steps of a risk assesment

Answer 3

1) identify the hazards (chemical, physical-ergonomic, biological, fire-explosion, human factors-mental helath)
2) who and how are poeple at risk- students, scientists, contractors, pregnant women, inexperienced staff
3) evaluate the risk- life, property, environment
4) record significant findings
5)regularly review

Question 4

what to consider when performing a RA

Answer 4

-the normal and also non standard events
- the actual and potential exposures of workers
- measures and procedures oto contain these exposures
- review all avaliable health and safety info about hazards beforehand ( safety data sheets, manufactureer’s literature

Question 5

what is risk

Answer 5

risk is the likelihood of occurence x severity (inpact of occurance)

Question 6

how are hazards identified

Answer 6

• look at the SOP standard operating procedure - all aspects of work
• look at all non routine activities such as maintenacne, repairs
• look at the accident and near miss reports
• consider the forseeable unusual conditions
• examine the risks to visitors

Question 7

how do you check how severe a hazard is

Answer 7

-refer to product and manufacturer’s info
- past experience
-legisltion
- codes of practice
- competence, skill and experience
-work env
- systmes of work in use
-range of forseeable conditions

Question 8

how to declare how much priority should be given to a hazard/risk

Answer 8

• number of people exposed to hazard
• frequency of exposure
• degree of harm
• prbability of occurence

Question 9

what do we understand by someone who is competent

Answer 9

someone who is trained, skilled and knowledgeable and experienceed in the task being undertaken to prevent injury, ability to recognize the hazard and authority to mitigate the hazard.

Question 10

how to calculate the severity of harm

Answer 10

-body parts which could be affected
- nature of the harm (slightly harmful, harmful and extremly harmful)

Question 11

when should the RA be reviewed or monitored

Answer 11

• new employees
• new or changing equipment
• adding new chemicals/products
• changing the work process/flow
• start of a new project
  -when new information becomes avaliable about a current product
  -migration, changing location

Question 12

5 levels of likelihood of occurence

Answer 12

remote, unlikely, possible, likely and almost certain

Question 13

5 levels of severuty

Answer 13

none, minor, moderate, major, ctatstrophic