Safety Talk
Use and Value of Health and Safety Risk Matrices
A Risk Matrix is one part of risk management. It is a tool used to support the rating on an incident
to determine the level of actions/controls required. It is often the initial assessment of the level of
response to an adverse event or hazard. It can be used proactively and reactively. There are
benefits to be gained from either approach.
A Risk Matrix is a method of evaluating the risks associated with hazards to determine which
hazards need to be controlled first. Hazards with the highest risk that affect the most workers or
patients should receive the greatest attention. A Risk Matrix assists the end user in the hazard
assessment process and provides a guideline for the implementation of corrective action. It is
important to remember that the Risk Assessment Procedure provides guidelines in the use of a
Risk Matrix that identifies an expected timeframe in which corrective action should be
implemented.
A Risk Matrix should be used in all safety related decisions as a guide to assist employers,
employees and other team members in understanding the priority for corrective actions
necessary within the department/unit/facility.
Key Messages:
1. Use of a Risk Matrix exists within occupational health and safety, patient safety as well as
numerous other portfolios ( e.g., Safety Assessment Code Matrix, Canadian Patient Safety
Institute [CPSI] Incident Analysis Framework)
2. A Risk Matrix is only one component of a larger risk management process on the prevention
of incidents of injury or harm in healthcare.
3. The main value of a Risk Matrix is to serve as a reasonable guide to gauge how quickly action
is required and to assist the team on prioritizing the corrective actions. This is done all with
intent to meet or achieve an industry standard.
4. Corrective actions should always be sustainable with the intent to eliminate, reduce or control
for the hazard. Controls can occur at the source of the hazard, along the path between the
hazard and the worker or patient, and also at the provider level.
5. Principles of Controls include:
a. Alignment with an industry Standard
b. Regional application to ensure sustainability of corrective actions
6. The Safety Management System standards include:
a. Does the organization have a process to assess the risk associated with activities they
undertake?
b. Are activities prioritized according to risk?
c. Are adequate controls implemented?
d. Is the risk assessment reviewed when changes have been made to a process?
7. Review and communicate with all staff the internal processes for reporting a hazard and
follow up.
8. Reverse side: sample of SASWH’s Risk Matrix* that can be tailored as necessary.
*The final Risk Matrix was vetting and endorsed by Saskatchewan’s regional health authorities’ vice-
presidents of Human Resources as well as partners within the various labour unions.
additional Safety Talks specific to Safety Management System (e.g., elements, Leading & Lagging
Indicators) are available on [Link]
Safety Talk Discussion
Be Accountable: Choose safety - work safe - and go home injury free!
Page 1 of 2
Safety Talk - Risk Matrices
Step (1) Severity (Potential)
Considerations
Category
Workplace Health and Safety
I Workplace Fatality
II Serious Injury to Workers
(e.g.,) Lost time/permanent disability
III Moderate Injury to Workers
(e.g.,) Medical Treatment
IV Minor impact to Workers
(e.g.,) First Aid
Step (2) Probability Step (3) Hazard Risk Ranking
Category Definition Probability
Severity A B C D E
Possibility of Repeated Incidents
A I 1 2 5 6 10 10.5
(e.g., Daily, continuous or frequent)
Possibility of Occurring
B Sometime (e.g., once per week to II 3 4 7 11 15
once per month)
III 8 9 12 16 18
Possibility of Isolated Incidents
C
(e.g., occurring a few times a year) IV 13 14 17 19 20
Not Likely to Occur (e.g., once per
D Low
year) Priority Major Moderate
Hazard
Practically Impossible (e.g., highly
E
unlikely, but remotely possible)
3. Corrective Actions:
REQUIRED: A procedure, practice,
training, PPE
MAJOR Black 1 – 5 Resolve within
24 hours MAY REQUIRE: A policy, other
certification
REQUIRED: A practice, training,
PPE
MODERATE Grey 6 – 10 Resolve within
1 week MAY REQUIRE: A policy,
procedure, other certification
LOW White 10.5 - 20 Resolve within REQUIRED: A practice, training
1 month
MAY REQUIRE: A policy,
procedure, PPE, other certification
Note of Recognition: SASWH’s Risk Matrix was collaboratively built. Contributing members
include representatives from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace
Safety, Saskatchewan Workers’ Compensation Board and the RHAs.
Page 2 of 2