Safety isn’t just a box to tick – it’s the backbone of every successful business. Regular risk assessments are the key to keeping your workplace safe, your team protected, and your business on the right side of the law!
What are risk assessments?
A risk assessment is a systematic process of identifying potential hazards and evaluating the level of risk that they pose. Doing so allows you to implement adequate controls. There are different types of risk assessments, but they all seek to achieve the same goal – identify hazard(s) and control the risk(s). Let’s first understand three key terms.
- A hazard is something, a situation or object, that has the potential to cause harm.
- The risk is the likelihood and consequence of that harm occurring.
- A control is the measure that is put into place to eliminate or reduce the risk associated with the hazard.
Why are risk assessments important?
Risk assessments are important for several reasons:
1. Risk assessments are a proactive approach to preventing accidents and injuries by identifying hazards and implementing controls.
2. Risk assessments keep your team safe but also reduces costs like medical bills and insurance premiums.
3. Risk assessments aren’t just best practice—they’re a legal requirement. For high-risk tasks like confined space entry and live electrical work, risk assessments are mandatory.
4. Risk assessments boosts productivity – when workers feel safe and supported, they’re able to focus and perform at their best.
The Risk Management Process
A risk assessment is one of the four key components in the risk management process. This process comprises of hazard identification, risk assessment, risk control, and the review of control measures. We cannot discuss risk assessment without considering the broader risk management process – that is, you can’t manage risks effectively without first identifying and assessing them.
1. Hazard identification is essentially asking – what can cause harm?
2. Risk assessment is all about understanding the nature of the harm, that is, how likely is it to occur and if it were to occur, what are the potential consequences of the harm?
3. Risk control is about putting into place effective measures that is reasonably practicable to eliminate or reduce the risk.
4. Finally, we must regularly review the controls we have implemented to ensure they are working as intended.
Reasonably Practicable in Risk Assessments
The term “reasonably practicable” is frequently referenced throughout WHS Laws when discussing risk assessment. It refers to what could reasonably be done at a given time to ensure health and safety. This considers:
(a) The likelihood of the hazard occurring;
(b) The potential severity of harm;
(c) What the duty-holder knows or should know about the risk and how to control it;
(d) The availability and effectiveness of risk controls; and
(e) The cost of implementing controls, balanced against the risk.
Although it may seem subjectively determined, the term is defined objectively, meaning the duty-holder must act as a reasonable person in their position would, considering what is possible to ensure health and safety and whether it’s reasonable to do so. For example, a construction company identifies a fall risk for workers at heights (Identify the Risk). The safest option is to install scaffolding with guardrails (Consider Controls), which is readily available and effective (Assess Feasibility). Although harnesses are cheaper, they offer less protection (Cost vs. Risk). Given the risk, the cost of scaffolding is reasonable, so the company installs it, ensuring the highest level of safety practicable.
Consultation in Risk Assessments
It is important to ensure consultation with workers when doing risk assessments. The WHS Act requires that you consult, so far as is reasonably practicable, with workers who carry out work for you who are (or are likely to be) directly affected by a work health and safety matter. If the workers are represented by a health and safety representative, the consultation must involve that representative. Engaging your workers’ experience, knowledge, and ideas increases the likelihood of identifying all hazards, risk assessing appropriately, and selecting effective control measures.
How do I find hazards in the first place?
Finding hazards in your workplace might seem like a daunting task, but it’s all about being observant and proactive. Start by simply taking a walk around your work environment.
- Pay close attention to how tasks are carried out, how equipment is used, and the overall cleanliness and organisation of the space.
- Are there tight spots that make it hard to move around?
- Is the lighting adequate?
- Have there been any recent changes that could introduce new risks?
If you spot something dangerous, don’t wait—take action right away! And as you go, jot down every potential hazard, even if it’s already being managed. This ensures nothing slips through the cracks. A handy checklist tailored to your workplace can make this process smoother.
Don’t forget to talk to your workers—they’re on the front lines and may have noticed issues you’ve overlooked. Ask about any safety concerns or close calls and consider using surveys to uncover deeper problems like workplace bullying or ergonomic risks. Tap into resources from industry regulators, associations, and safety consultants, and check manufacturers’ safety data sheets for specific risks. Finally, review your records—incident reports, near misses, and complaints can reveal overlooked hazards. If there’s been an injury, investigate the cause to prevent it from happening again.
OK… you’ve identified potential hazards. Now what?
Work Out How Severe the Harm Could Be:
Start by evaluating what could go wrong. Could the hazard lead to minor injuries, serious harm, or even fatalities? Consider factors like the distance of a potential fall or the concentration of a harmful substance. Think about how many people could be affected and whether one problem might trigger others.
Identify How Hazards Cause Harm:
Most incidents result from a chain of events. To prevent them, break down this chain. Determine where things could start going wrong and consider what might follow. Look at how work is performed, not just how it’s supposed to be done, and factor in rare or abnormal situations.
Work Out the Likelihood of Harm Occurring:
Estimate how often the task is performed, how frequently people are near the hazard, and whether similar incidents have occurred before. Use this information to rate the likelihood of harm.
Using a Risk Matrix
A risk matrix can be used as a helpful tool in determining the likelihood of an event with its potential severity. It works by plotting a hazard on a grid where the x-axis represents likelihood and the y-axis represents severity. This visual aid helps you easily see which risks require the most attention.
To use it, assign numerical values to different levels of consequence and likelihood, then multiply these values to get an overall risk score. This score guides you in focusing on the most critical risks and deciding on the most effective control measures.
