RISK ASSESSMENT
Objectives:
On completion of this module, you will be able to:
• Discuss the importance and goal of risk assessment;
• Determine how to use the risk matrix and risk
ratings upon identifying hazards in the workplace;
• Conduct workplace risk assessment;
• Determine classification of risk level of workplace
What is a Risk Assessment?
Risk assessment is a term used to describe the overall
process or method where you:
▪ Identify hazards and risk factors that have the potential to
cause harm (hazard identification).
▪ Analyze and evaluate the risk associated with that hazard
(risk analysis, and risk evaluation).
▪ Determine appropriate ways to eliminate the hazard, or
control the risk when the hazard cannot be eliminated
(risk control).
Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health
http:/[Link]/
Why is Risk Assessment Important?
Risk assessments are very important as they form an integral part of an
occupational health and safety management plan. They help to:
▪ Create awareness of hazards and risk.
▪ Identify who may be at risk (e.g., employees, cleaners, visitors,
contractors, the public, etc.).
▪ Determine whether a control program is required for a particular hazard.
▪ Determine if existing control measures are adequate or if more should be done.
▪ Prevent injuries or illnesses, especially when done at the design or
planning stage.
▪ Prioritize hazards and control measures.
▪ Meet legal requirements where applicable.
Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health
http:/[Link]/
What is the Goal of Risk Assessment?
The goal is to try to answer the following questions:
[Link] can happen and under what circumstances?
[Link] are the possible consequences?
[Link] likely [and severe] are the possible
consequences to occur?
[Link] the risk controlled effectively, or is further
action required?
Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health
http:/[Link]/
When should a risk assessment be done?
There may be many reasons a risk assessment is needed,
including:
• Before new processes or activities are introduced.
• Before changes are introduced to existing processes or
activities, including when products, machinery, tools,
equipment change or new information concerning harm
becomes available.
• When hazards are identified.
Risk assessment steps
1. Identify the hazards
2. Decide who might be harmed and how
3. Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions
4. Record your significant findings
5. Review your assessment and update if
necessary
Categories of Hazards
▪ Safety Hazards – something that has potential to cause injury
• Poor housekeeping
• Fire
• Use of machine
• Material handling
• Electricity
▪ Health Hazards – Any agent or activity posing potential hazard to health
• Chemical (vapors, mists fumes, gases, dusts)
• Physical (noise, vibration, illumination, extreme temperature,
extreme pressure, radiation)
• Biological (bacteria, viruses, molds, fungi, protozoa; and insects,
parasites, plants, animals
• Ergonomics (improperly designed tools or work areas, improper
lifting or reaching, poor visual conditions, repeated motion in
awkward position
How are the Hazards Identified?
▪ Walk through/ocular inspection
▪ Review of Processes involved
▪ Knowing the raw materials used, products and by-
products
▪ Gathering workers’ complaints
▪ Safety data sheet
How are the Hazards Identified?
To be sure that all hazards are found:
▪ Non routine activities
▪ Look at accident / incident / near-miss records.
▪ People who work off-site
▪ Look at the way the work is organized or done (include experience of people
doing the work, systems being used, etc).
▪ Look at foreseeable unusual conditions (for example: possible impact on hazard
control procedures that may be unavailable in an emergency situation, power
outage, etc.).
Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health
http:/[Link]/
How are the Hazards Identified? (cont.)
To be sure that all hazards are found:
▪ Determine whether a product, machine or equipment can
be intentionally or unintentionally changed (e.g., a
safety guard that could be removed).
▪ Examine risks to visitors or the public.
▪ Consider the groups of people that may have a different
level of risk such as young or inexperienced workers,
persons with disabilities, or new or expectant mothers.
Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health
http:/[Link]/
How do you know if the hazard will cause
harm (poses a risk)?
Each hazard should be studied to determine its' level of risk. To
research the hazard, you can look at:
▪ Product information / manufacturer documentation.
▪ Past experience (knowledge from workers, etc.).
▪ Legislated requirements and/or applicable standards.
▪ Industry codes of practice / best practices.
▪ Health and safety material about the hazard such as safety data
sheets (SDSs), research studies, or other manufacturer information.
▪ Information from reputable organizations.
Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health
http:/[Link]/
How do you know if the hazard will cause
harm (poses a risk)? Cont.
Each hazard should be studied to determine its' level of risk. To
research the
hazard, you can look at: (cont.)
▪ Results of testing (atmospheric or air sampling of
workplace, biological swabs, etc.).
▪ The expertise of an occupational health and safety
professional.
▪ Information about previous injuries, illnesses, near misses,
incident reports, etc.
▪ Observation of the process or task.
Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and
Health
Remember to include factors that contribute
to the level of risk such as:
• The work environment (layout, condition, etc.).
• The systems of work being used.
• The range of foreseeable conditions.
• The way the source may cause harm (e.g., inhalation,
ingestion, etc.).
• How often and how much a person will be exposed.
• The interaction, capability, skill, experience of workers
who do the work.
Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health
http:/[Link]/
How are risks ranked or prioritized?
Probability ratings in this example represent:
• High: likely to be experienced once or twice a
year by an individual
• Medium: may be experienced once every five
years
by an individual
• Low: may occur once during a working lifetime
Severity ratings in this example represent:
• High: major fracture, poisoning, significant loss of blood, serious head injury,
or fatal disease, death.
• Medium: sprain, strain, localized burn, dermatitis, asthma, injury
requiring days off work
• Low: an injury that requires first aid only; short-term pain, irritation, or
dizziness
Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health
http:/[Link]/
How are risks ranked or prioritized? (cont.)
▪ These risk ratings correspond to recommended actions such as:
▪ Immediately dangerous: stop the process and implement controls
▪ High risk: investigate the process and implement controls immediately
▪ Medium risk: keep the process going; however, a control plan must be developed
and should be implemented as soon as possible
▪ Low risk: keep the process going, but monitor regularly. A control plan should
also be investigated
▪ Very low risk: keep monitoring the process
Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health
http:/[Link]/
Example of Risk Assessment
Priority
Task Hazard Risk (L/M/H) Control
Stepping on a 1
Painting a Falling from 1 meter
room meter step tool to height
reach higher areas
Severity: cause a short
term strain or sprain. A
severe sprain may require
a few days off work.
Probability: occur once in a
lifetime as painting is an
uncommon activity in this
organization
How are risks ranked or prioritized? (cont.)
Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health
http:/[Link]/
Example of Risk Assessment
Priorit
y
Task Hazard Risk (L/M/H Control
)
Stepping on a
Painti
1 meter step Falling from 1
ng a
tool to reach meter height
room
higher areas
Severity: cause a
short
term strain or
sprain. A severe
sprain may
L Use of stool
require a few days
off work. with a large
top to maintain
Probability: occur stability.
once in a lifetime
as painting is an
uncommon activity
in this organization
Source: OSHC
SUMMARY:
▪ When conducting hazard identification, it may help to work as a team and include
both people familiar with the work area, as well as people who are not - this way
you have both the experienced and fresh eye to conduct the inspection.
▪ There is no one simple or single way to determine the level of risk. Nor will a single
technique apply in all situations. The organization has to determine which
technique will work best for each situation.
▪ Ranking or prioritizing hazards is one way to help determine which risk is the most
serious and thus which to control first.
▪ Any violation of the OSH Standards and other laws must be considered as
immediately dangerous or totally unacceptable.
▪ There are many factors to be considered to determine the effects of health hazards.
Medical surveillance is necessary to establish that the illness are work-related.
Canadian Center for Occupational Safety and Health
http:/[Link]/
GROUP ACTIVITY # 2:
Video: [Link]
Watch this video again.
1. Using the hazards in workshop#1, evaluate
the risks of the hazards identified.
2. Use the template for your evaluation.
3. Each group will report their findings.
TEMPLATE CAN BE FOUND ON THE NEXT PAGE.
GROUP ACTIVITY # 2:
Template: Risk Assessment
No. Work Hazard Possible Existing Risk Probability Severity Risk
Activity Effects
Control
(if any)
1.
2.