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Step 3: Evaluate the risk
You now have a risk level. What will you do about it? Laws on safety and labour in most countries expect organisations to do everything reasonably practicable to protect people from harm. The higher the risk level, the more serious the risk and the more likely it is that you need to act. To decide how urgent the action is, give each risk level an action level. This method is called the risk matrix approach and it is widely used.
You can also use a five point scale for likelihood and consequence. It describes the medium risk area better than the three point scale does.
| Score | Likelihood | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Very unlikely, about 1 chance in a million | Insignificant, no injury |
| 2 | Unlikely, about 1 in 100,000 | Minor, first aid only |
| 3 | Fairly likely, about 1 in 10,000 | Moderate, up to three days of absence |
| 4 | Likely, about 1 in 1,000 | Major, more than seven days of absence |
| 5 | Very likely, about 1 in 100 | Catastrophic, death |
Methods and action levels vary from company to company. Find out how risk is estimated and evaluated in your own organisation. Complex processes need more advanced methods, so use the right method for the job.
Step 4: Record your findings
Record what you find. It is good practice and it may be the law. In Great Britain, for example, written risk assessments are required if you employ five or more people. The form does not matter as long as the information is complete: the hazard, the likelihood and consequence, the risk level and the controls. It helps to record:
- who carried out the assessment, and the date and time
- the location, equipment and activity assessed
- the hazards found and the risk level of each
- the existing controls and how well they work
- additional controls and the remaining risk
- the date of the review
Share the findings with the people who do the work, so that they know the hazards and the steps to take.
Step 5: Review your findings
Things change. Procedures change, new equipment arrives, staff come and go, and new information appears, such as new data about a substance. When you see such a change, review the assessment. Where the risk level is low, review it from time to time to make sure that it stays low.
A study aid, not published or endorsed by IOSH or OSHA. Laws and limits differ between countries.