What is a Risk:

A risk is the chance (high or low), that any

Risks and hazard would cause somebody harm.

Hazards What is a Hazard:

A hazard is any source of potential damage,
harm or adverse health effects on something or
someone.
 What is Risk Assessment?
•A risk assessment is a process to identify
potential hazards, analyze and evaluate
likelihood and severity of the risk and act to
Risk counter these risks.

Assessment •There are numerous hazards to consider. For

each hazard there are many possible scenarios
that could unfold depending on timing,
magnitude and location of the hazard. 
Goal of a Risk Assessment

• The main goal is always going to be to improve

workplace safety. You do so by adding control
measures to the hazards identified.
• The goal is to try to answer these questions :
• What can happen and under what
circumstances?
• What are the possible
consequences?
• How likely are the possible
consequences to occur?
• Is the risk controlled effectively,
or is further action required
When should a Risk Assessment be
Done?
• The rule of thumb is that you should schedule a risk assessment at least once a year.

• There may be a vast number of cases as to when a risk assessment is necessary, which
include:
 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.
 The following are to be considered when planning for risk
assessment:
• Scope (Specifics about what you are assessing such as
the lifetime of the product, the physical area where the
work activity takes place, or the types of hazards).

How to plan • Required resources (e.g., train a team of individuals to

carry out the assessment, the types of information
sources etc.).

for a Risk • Type of risk analysis measures (e.g. level of accuracy of

the scale of parameters, in order to provide the most

Assessment
relevant evaluation).
• Stakeholders involved (e.g. manager, supervisors,
works, worker representative, suppliers, etc.)
• Relevant laws, regulations, codes and/or standard
which may apply in your jurisdiction, as well as
organizational policies and procedures.
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.
The Process of Risk
Assessment
1. Identification of Hazards and Risk Factors
• This entails mostly physical inspection
of an active construction site or
completed functional structure.
Example:
• Uncontrolled debris on site with exposed
nails.
• Unguarded machinery that can cause any
body part to get pulled-in and trapped.
• Electrical hazards such as exposed wiring,
missing ground pins, and frayed cords.
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How are the Hazards Identified?

• The goal is always to find and take record of possible hazards that may be present in your workplace

• When it comes to the actual identification of hazards, it is often advised to scrutinize sites or structures in teams of both
people familiar with the work area, as well as people who are not.

• To ensure all hazards are found, certain measure must be taken. You must:
1. Look at all aspects of the work
2. Include non-routine activities such as maintenance, repair, or cleaning
3. Look at accident/incident/near-miss records
4. Look at foreseeable unusual conditions
5. Determine whether a product, machine or equipment can be intentionally or unintentionally changed.
6. Examine risks to visitors or the public
 How are the Hazards Identified?
• It may help to create a chart or table such as the following:
The Process of
Risk Assessment
2. Analyzation and Evaluation of
Risk
• Risk analysis provides a basis
for risk evaluation and
decisions about risk control.
 Information can include
current and historical data,
theoretical analysis, informed
opinions, and the concerns of
stakeholders. Risk analysis
includes risk estimation.
 How do you know if the Hazard will
cause Harm?
In order to determine the level of risk of a hazard, the following can be researched in order to make a
conclusion:
 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.
 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.
 How do you know if the Hazard will
cause Harm? Cont’d
It is also necessary to take factors that contribute to the level of risk into account, for example:
 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.
How are Risks Ranked or Prioritized?

It is important to rank hazards as this helps determine the levels of seriousness of the
risk and decipher the risks that require solutions more urgently, the result of ranking
hazards and assigning priorities is a ranking or action list.

There is no one simple or single way to determine the level of risk. Ranking hazards
requires knowledge of workplace activities, urgency of situations and most
importantly, objective judgement.

For simple situations, it may only require a discussion or brainstorming session based
on knowledge and experience. On the contrary, more complex situations would
require a team of knowledgeable personnel who are familiar with the work.
How are Risks Ranked or Prioritized?
Cont’d
Severity ratings in the example represent:
• High: Major fracture, poisoning, significant loss of blood, fatal
disease or serious head injury. Working from heights (i.e., on
scaffolding or roofs) is one of the highest ranked and most probable
risk.
• Medium: Sprain, strain, localized burn, dermatitis, asthma, injury
requiring days off work. These can be caused by moving objects and
slip and falls.
• Low: An injury that requires first aid only; short term pain,
irritation or dizziness. Noise pollution and air borne fibers are some
sources of low risks.
 How are Risks Ranked or Prioritized?
Cont’d
Probability ratings in the example represent:
• High: likely to be experiences 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
These risk rating correspond to recommended actions
such as:
• Immediately dangerous: Stop the process and implement
controls
• High risk: Investigate the process and implement controls
• Medium risk: Keep the process going; however, a control
plan must be developed and implemented.
• Low risk: Keep the process going, but monitor regularly
• Very low risk: Keep monitoring the process.
Examples of Risks and Hazards

Rate Them: (High Risk, Medium Risk, Low Risk)

A person working on scaffolding at high levels without a harness falls off
and breaks his/her neck.
A person walking on a construction site unaware of an open trench, falls in
and sprains their ankle.
A person briskly walking, bumps into the edge of a table bruising their
stomach.
A grinder blade flying off while being used without a guard cuts off the
arm of user.
The Process of Risk
Assessment

3. Risk Control
• Risk control is the set of methods by
which firms evaluate potential losses
and take action to reduce or eliminate
such threats. It is a technique that
utilizes findings from risk assessments,
which involve identifying potential risk
factors

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 Methods of Hazard Control

Hazard controls methods could be categorized into

the following:

Elimination/Substitution: Elimination removes the

hazard at the source. This could include changing the work
process to stop using a toxic chemical, heavy object, or
sharp tool whereas substitution is using a safer alternative
to the source of the hazard.
Example:
In the design of a learning institution or residential
complex where there are no allocations for muster
points.

Source: [Link]
 Methods of Hazard Control

Engineering controls: Engineering controls reduce or

prevent hazards from coming into contact with workers.
Engineering controls can include modifying equipment or
the workspace, using protective barriers, ventilation, and Source: [Link]
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more.
Method: Remove or block the hazard at the source before
it comes into contact with workers/public
Examples:
• Hoarding of a construction site
• Cordoning off trenches on site.

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 Methods of Hazard Control

Administrative controls: Administrative controls

establish work practices that reduce the duration,
frequency, or intensity of exposure to hazards.
Example:
• Work process training

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 Methods of Hazard Control

Personal protective equipment (PPE): PPE is

equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards.
Examples of PPE include gloves, safety glasses,
hearing protection, hard hats, and respirators.
Example:
• Inspection and replacement of damaged or worn-
out PPE

The control method to be utilized is established

based on the priorities and resources of the
organization.

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Importance of Assessment Review and
Monitoring
It is important to practice the reviewing and monitoring of assessments to ensure that;
• Controls are effective and efficient in both design and operation.
• Detecting changes in the external and internal context, including changes to risk criteria and
to the risks, which may require revision of risk treatments and priorities.
• Identifying emerging risks.
It is also essential to be sure that any changes in the workplace have not introduced
new hazards or changed hazards that were once ranked as lower priority to a higher
priority.
Documentation
It is advised that all documents are archived for
further analysis. Risk management documents are
not static. They’re living documents that are
instrumental in identifying, assessing, mitigating,
monitoring, and reporting threats. They help keep
an organization’s data clear, structured, and
preserved.
These records should indicate that the following
have been achieved:
 Conducted a good hazard review.
 Determined the risks of those hazards.
 Implemented control measures suitable for the risk.
 Reviewed and monitored all hazards in the
workplace.
Examination Question

During the job interview by the prominent construction company for the position of
construction site supervisor, one of the questions asked, was to describe the hierarchy of
control of hazard on working at height. If you were one of the candidates interviewed, describe
hierarchy of control of hazard working at height. Base your discussion on the following
hierarchy levels. (7 marks)
• Elimination
• Training
• Equipment 
• PPE
References

• Government of Canada, C. C. for O. H. and S. (2022, October 31). Risk assessment : Osh answers. Canadian
Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from
[Link]
• Shields, S. (2022, May 17). How often should risk assessments be reviewed: H&S Advice. Pro Safety
Management. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from [Link]
assessments/
• What is the goal of a risk assessment? Creative Safety Supply. (n.d.). Retrieved October 31, 2022, from
[Link]
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, August 11). Hierarchy of controls. Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from
[Link]