Risk Assessments

What is the first step in conducting a risk assessment?

• AImplement control measures
• BIdentify hazards✓
• CEvaluate risks
• DDocument findings

Answer: The first step in risk assessment is to identify all hazards present in the workplace or activity. This involves looking for anything that could potentially cause harm.

What is the difference between a hazard and a risk?

• AThey are the same thing
• BHazard is the potential to cause harm; risk is the likelihood and consequence of harm✓
• CRisk is the potential to cause harm; hazard is the likelihood
• DHazard is an accident; risk is an injury

Answer: A hazard is anything that could potentially cause harm. A risk is the likelihood that someone will be harmed by that hazard and how serious the harm could be.

How should risks be prioritized in an assessment?

• AAlphabetically
• BBy likelihood alone
• CBy severity and likelihood combined✓
• DIn order of discovery

Answer: Risks should be prioritized based on both the likelihood of harm occurring and the severity of that harm. High likelihood + high severity risks require priority attention.

What is 'Control of risk' in health and safety terms?

• AEliminating the risk entirely
• BMeasures taken to minimize or manage risks to an acceptable level✓
• CTransferring risk to another person
• DIgnoring the risk

Answer: Control of risk involves implementing measures to eliminate or reduce risks to an acceptable level. Complete elimination isn't always possible, but risks must be controlled.

What is the hierarchy of control in risk management?

• AControls, Eliminate, Reduce, Replace
• BEliminate, Reduce, Control, Accept
• CEliminate, Substitute, Engineer, Administrative, PPE✓
• DReplace, Reduce, Accept, Eliminate

Answer: The hierarchy of controls is: Elimination (remove the hazard), Substitution (replace with something safer), Engineering controls (design out the risk), Administrative controls (procedures), and PPE (last resort).

Who should be involved in conducting a risk assessment?

• AOnly the health and safety manager
• BOnly management
• CManagement, safety representatives, and workers doing the job✓
• DOnly external consultants

Answer: Risk assessments should involve management, workers who perform the tasks (they know the hazards best), and safety representatives to ensure a comprehensive assessment.

How should findings from a risk assessment be documented?

• ANot documented, just remembered
• BIn a notebook only
• CIn a formal document with hazards, risks, controls, and review dates✓
• DOnly if serious injuries occur

Answer: Risk assessment findings must be formally documented including identified hazards, risk levels, control measures implemented, responsible persons, and review dates.

When should a risk assessment be updated?

• ANever, once completed it's done
• BOnly when someone is injured
• CRegularly and whenever significant changes occur✓
• DOnly every 5 years

Answer: Risk assessments must be regularly reviewed and updated whenever there are significant changes to the workplace, work activities, procedures, or legislation.

What is 'ALARP' in health and safety?

• AAlways Leave All Risk Prevention
• BAs Low As Reasonably Practicable✓
• CAssess and List All Reporting Problems
• DAn electrical safety standard

Answer: ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable) is the principle that risks should be reduced to the lowest level possible, balancing safety against costs and effort.

In risk assessment, what does 'likelihood' refer to?

• AThe severity of potential injury
• BThe probability that harm will occur✓
• CThe cost of an accident
• DThe number of people involved

Answer: Likelihood refers to how probable it is that harm will occur. Risk is assessed by considering both the likelihood and the severity of potential harm.

What is a 'residual risk'?

• AThe risk before any controls
• BThe risk remaining after control measures are implemented✓
• CA risk that is no longer important
• DA risk that occurs at the end of the day

Answer: Residual risk is the level of risk that remains after control measures have been implemented. It should always be at an acceptable level.

How should hazards be identified in a risk assessment?

• AOnly by watching for obvious dangers
• BBy consultation, inspection, past accidents, and industry guidance✓
• COnly by accident investigation
• DOnly by guessing what might go wrong

Answer: Hazards should be identified through multiple methods: workplace inspection, consulting workers, reviewing past accidents and incidents, and referencing industry guidance.