What is a risk?

A risk is the chance, high or low, that a worker could be harmed, together with an indication of how serious the harm might be.

What is a risk assessment?

A risk assessment is the process of establishing information level of risk associated with one or more tasks.

How do we determine risk?

To determine the Risk we analyze probability of an accident and severity of the resulting injury.

How do we determine probability?

You can determine probability by analyzing a task using each of the following criteria which are used by OSHA in the U.S. to determine probability.

1. The number of employees exposed to a hazard. The greater the number of employees working on a task the greater the probability. Double the score for each employee.
2. The frequency of exposure to a hazard. The more frequently the employee is exposed to the hazards of the task, the more likely they will get hurt. Does the employee perform the task continuously, occasionally, or rarely.
3. The duration of exposure to a hazard. How long does it take to perform the task. The longer the duration, the higher the probability.
4. The proximity of exposure to the hazard. Are employees working within arms-length of the hazardous condition? Are they working within a harmful environment (noise, atmosphere, radiation, etc.)
5. The nature of training received. If training is inadequate, the probability of injury will naturally increase. If employees do not have the proper knowledge nor skills to perform a task, they should not be required to perform the task. Management must never assume employees have "common sense" and should be able to do the task. Employees should be trained and tested.
6. Physical and mental ability to perform the task. Is the task beyond the physical or mental ability of the employee? Does the task require lifting, lowering, pushing, or pulling heavy loads? Is the task too complicated for the employee?
7. The adequacy of PPE, tools and equipment used. If employees are not being supplied adequate personal protective equipment, tools, and other equipment to perform the hazardous task, the probability of an injury increases.
8. Quality of the work instructions used for the task. Employees should be able to reference safe work procedures that detail each step of a hazardous task. If they don't have instructions, probability increases because the variation in the performance of the task increases. In addition, it's difficult to properly train employees in a consistent manner without source documents.
9. The environment within which exposure occurs. If the environment is extreme in any way that taxes the employee's ability to work safely, the probability of an injury or illness will increase. Is the environment too hot, cold, humid, dry, noisy, windy, wet, etc.?
10. The psychological stress experienced by workers. How much pressure do employees feel to "hurry" their work. Do they believe their job security depends on working fast? Or do they know their job security depends on working safe?
11. The history of the specific accident occurring. Have injuries or illnesses occurred previously. Although there is not a certainty of future injuries, if a history exists, the probability is greater.

Severity describes how serious the injury or illness is as a consequence of an accident. it is more difficult to determine because it is large a matter of luck. Severity can also be measured by dollars lost; loss of public trust; numbers of persons affected, etc.