Risk Assessment

Question 1

What are the four pillars of risk assessment?

Answer 1

Identify
Assess
Control
Review

Question 2

What is ‘identify’ in risk assessment?

Answer 2

Identifying any risks on scene
People - who could be a host and who is susceptible
Objects - what objects may harbour infection
Place - e.g. soil on a farm, norovirus in a nursing home

Question 3

What is the matrix for risk assessment called?

Answer 3

The likelihood-consequence matrix

Question 4

What is the risk assessment matrix used for?

Answer 4

To assess the level of a risk
It is a subjective measure that will constantly change

Question 5

Define likelihood and consequence for the matrix?

Answer 5

Likelihood is chance of risk outcome occurring
Consequence is the potential outcome if the risk occurs

Question 6

What does ‘control’ the risk mean?

Answer 6

Once a risk is identified you must take action to prevent the outcomes occurring
Using the hierarchy of risk control

Question 7

What is the hierarchy of risk controls?

Answer 7

1. Eliminate - remove the risk all together
2. Substitute/isolate or use engineered controls
3. Administrative controls and PPE

Question 8

What does ‘review’ mean in risk assessment?

Answer 8

Constantly reassess the hazards and management
Controls put in place may also pose risk
Hazards may change and/or their level of risk

Question 9

What are the key ideas in managing exposure?

Answer 9

1. Manage and reduce the impact (p+p, first aid etc)
2. Documentation