Risk Assessment and Hazard Identification

Understanding Risk

The purpose of a risk assessment is to identify potential causes of harm, assess the likelihood of harm occurring despite existing safeguards, and determine additional measures to further reduce the risk before accidents happen.

Defining Hazards

Hazard: Anything with the potential to cause harm, such as knives in catering.

Potential Severity: Severity of harm varies, from minor cuts requiring a plaster to serious injuries, depending on the task and equipment used.

Evaluating Risk Levels

Level of Risk: Determined by the likelihood of an event occurring and the potential severity of harm.

• High Risk: Event very likely to occur, may cause death or serious injury or illness.
• Medium Risk: Event reasonably likely, could result in several days off work.
• Low Risk: Event unlikely to cause injury, but measures can be taken to further reduce risk.

Implementing Control Measures

By conducting risk assessments, attention and resources can be directed to areas requiring preventive measures to prevent injuries or illnesses.

Risk Rating: Typically categorized from most unlikely to most likely, ranging from minor to major injuries, grouped into low, medium, and high risk.

• Low Risk: Unlikely to cause injury, but proactive measures can still be taken to mitigate risk.
• Medium Risk: Requires review of control measures and efforts to reduce risk.
• High Risk: Special control measures and training are necessary; efforts made to reduce risk where feasible.