Risk Assessment
What is Risk?
‘Risk’ is the term used to express the possibility
of injury, illness, damage or loss occurring as the result
of a hazard.
Risk Assessment
Risk Assessment involves:
- identifying the hazards associated with an activity or
item;
- determining the probability that injury, illness, damage
or loss will occur if exposed to the hazards;
- determining the consequence of the potential injury,
illness, damage or loss, and hence;
- evaluating the level of risk.
The process of systematically identifying hazards enables
those hazards to be individually evaluated and managed so
that the overall level of risk can be reduced.
The tables below provide guidance for ranking risk factors
and determining the risk level.
| Ranking
Risk Factors by Probability |
|
Ranking
Risk Factors by Consequence |
| Very Likely |
Will probably occur immediately or within
a short period of time |
Fatality |
May cause death or loss of a facility |
| Likely |
Probably will occur in time |
Major |
Severe injury or illness, or major property
damage |
| Possible |
Might occur in next few months |
Minor |
Minor (usually reversible) injury or illness
resulting in days off work, minor property damage |
| Unlikely |
Could eventually happen |
First Aid |
First aid level medical treatment |
| Highly Unlikely |
Has the potential to occur, but probably
never will |
Negligible |
Minor injury, possible first aid |
Consequence |
Probability |
Control Hierarchy |
Very likely |
Likely |
Possible |
Unlikely |
Highly unlikely |
Elimination |
Is it necessary |
Fatality |
Extreme |
High |
High |
High |
Medium |
Substitution |
Is there a less hazardous alternative |
Major injury |
High |
High |
High |
Medium |
Medium |
Isolation |
Restrict access, use in a closed container |
Minor injury |
High |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Engineering |
Fume cupboard |
First aid |
Medium |
Medium |
Medium |
Low |
Low |
Administration |
Eg:Training, Safe Work Procedure |
Negligible |
Medium |
Medium |
Low |
Low |
Low |
PPE - Personal
Protective Equipment |
Eg: Gloves, respirator, safety glasses |
Risk Management
Risk Management involves managing hazards and hence reducing
risk.
For example:
- before purchasing plant, equipment or substances assess
the risks involved and determine whether an alternative
product would present fewer risks;
- by means of regular maintenance inspections, ensure that
emergency lights in lecture theatres are all in working
order, or;
- by means of OHS induction ensure that all casual staff
are informed of University emergency and first aid procedures.
Refer to hazard management
guidelines for more information.
Last revised: 2 July 2007
|
