Risk assessment

Question 1

5 steps to risk assessment

Answer 1

1. identify the hazards
2. decide who might be harmed and how (population at risk)
3. evaluate the risk likelihood, frequency and severity (consequence)
4. record your findings and implement them
5. review your assessment and update if necessary (periodically or when there is significant change eg. legislative)

Question 2

hazard

Answer 2

something that has the potential to cause harm

eg. plant or machines

Question 3

hazardous event

Answer 3

an occurrence whereby somone or something interacts with hazard resulting in harm

eg. hazard is a patch of oil on floor, hazardous event is someone slipping on the patch of oil

Question 4

risk

Answer 4

is a measure of the probability (likelihood) of a hazardous event occuring combined with the severity (consequence) of the harm from a hazard being realised

Question 5

legal requirments

Answer 5

MHSWR 1999 reg 3

COSHH 2002

Manual Handling Operations Regulations MHOR 1992

DSE 1992

Question 6

risk rating

Answer 6

likelihood (probability) x severity (consequence)

Question 7

general hierachy of control

Answer 7

elimination

substitution

engineering controls

signage, warnings and administrative controls

PPE

Question 8

special case apllications of risk assessment

Answer 8

young persons

expectant mothers

disabled workers

lone workers