Risk assessment Guide/Methodology

Risk means the probability that a hazard can result in injury or damage.
The word risk deals with the aspect of probability or likelihood for danger to exist and risk
must always be the indicator for the action to be taken.
The risk in the workplace relates to:
Employee safety
Public safety
Environmental damage
Damage to plant or machinery
The purpose of risk assessment
The purpose of risk assessment is to identify all hazards or potential hazards in
the workplace and evaluate the risk of injury or damage as a result of these
hazards.
Risk assessment
Risk assessment is a predefined, structured method developed to compare the severity of
the impact to the company, of one hazard as opposed to another, (ranking)
The health and safety representatives must be able to identify risks in the workplace.
Risk assessment plan
1) It is important to keep the process as simple as possible, but it must also be practical
2) Involve the workers as they know the conditions
3) Plan your actions and work your plan, have a system, which will identify all possible
risks
4) Segment the workplace into workable size
5) Only identify risk that could cause damage or injury
6) Do a proper analysis on all the information gathered
7) Identify hazards
8) Take into account the existing controls when assessing the risk arising from the
hazards that are present
9) Assess the risk to all people that may be affected by the companies operations
10) Keep record of assessments, assumptions and recommendations
11) Repeat this exercise periodically
The best way to ensure success is to develop an in-house risk assessment protocol for the
company.

Hazards
These can be described as conditions in the work place that by their nature are liable to lead
to an accident. Examples are:
1. Poor or unsafe design/construction
2. Disorder and haphazard (inadequate) planning
3. Lack of machine or other guards
4. Defective working conditions, such as rough, sharp or slippery surfaces
5. Poor factory layout with inadequate or poorly marked walkways and exits
6. Overcrowding in workshops
7. No personal protective equipment (PPE)
8. Unsafe ventilation
9. Unsafe lighting
10. Storage of hazardous substances
Hazardous conditions do not always cause an accident but if left unattended the
potential is there for an accident
The problem with hazardous conditions is that they are continually being created. The battle
against hazardous conditions is on-going and can be extremely frustrating, but it is
management's duty to maintain a safe work environment. To eliminate hazardous conditions,
management must create a positive attitude amongst the workforce towards safety
procedures. A system of periodic inspections can be implemented to control and eliminate
unsafe acts and conditions.
Risk matrix baseline risk assessment
Frequency of exposure: 1) No exposure - 2) up to 10% chance of exposure - 3)
Up to 25% chance of exposure - 4) Up to 50% chance of exposure - 5) 75% and
> chance of exposure
Probability: 1) Has never happened - 2) Rare - 3) Unlikely - 4) Possible - 5)
Likely - 6) Almost certain
Severity: 1) minor or no injury/damage - 2) serious injury/damage - 3) major
injury/damage - 4) multiple major injuries/damage - 5) fatality/catastrophic
Risk Rating: < 13 Low risk.

>< 13 and 36 Moderate risk. > 36 High risk