Risk Assessment Basics

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary aim of conducting a risk assessment in the workplace?

To ensure no one is hurt or becomes ill (correct)

To reduce the number of staff members

To analyze the company's budget for safety equipment

To improve overall productivity regardless of safety

Which of the following is NOT a part of the risk assessment process described?

Weighing up current precautions

Identifying necessary safety measures

Examining potential harm to people

Counting the number of employees on site (correct)

What must employers do regarding the significant findings of a risk assessment?

Ignore them if no accidents occur

Share them with industry competitors

Record them in writing or by other means (correct)

Discuss them only in staff meetings

Who else, besides employers, is required to conduct a risk assessment?

Self-employed individuals Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of failing to conduct proper risk assessments?

Ruined lives and damaged machinery Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of a risk assessment?

To identify hazards and estimate risk levels Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following can be considered a thermal hazard?

Cold surfaces Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect is not included in the source of hazards according to the content?

Tremors from machinery Signup and view all the answers

What is a common consequence of poor ergonomics in the workplace?

Occupational diseases Signup and view all the answers

What does the first step in the 5 Steps to Risk Assessment involve?

Identifying the hazards Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a noise hazard?

Extra high volume Signup and view all the answers

Which type of environmental hazard is categorized under disasters?

Floods Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of an electrical hazard?

Poor insulation Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in conducting a risk assessment?

Look for the hazards Signup and view all the answers

Who might be considered in the risk assessment of a workplace?

Workers, trainees, and members of the public Signup and view all the answers

When evaluating risks, what factors should you consider?

How likely it is for each hazard to occur Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if existing precautions are not adequate?

Add more precautions Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to keep a written record of your findings?

To prevent repeating the same mistakes in the future Signup and view all the answers

How often should you review and revise your risk assessment?

Frequently, considering new equipment or hazards Signup and view all the answers

What should you ask yourself when evaluating each significant hazard?

Can I eliminate the hazard entirely? Signup and view all the answers

What is the last step in the risk assessment process?

Review your assessment and revise if necessary Signup and view all the answers

What is the maximum time frame within which risk reduction measures should normally be implemented?

3 to 6 months Signup and view all the answers

What should happen if it's not possible to reduce a risk, regardless of resources available?

Work must not be started or must be prohibited. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a risk reduction measure?

Motivational training Signup and view all the answers

What is the classification for risk levels that indicate a probability factor of 20-40 points?

Intolerable risk Signup and view all the answers

Which method is appropriate for eliminating a hazardous condition?

Providing safe work floors and accesses Signup and view all the answers

In risk assessment, what does a severity factor of 6 indicate?

Serious injury requiring more than 30 days of leave Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in risk management?

To provide supplementary support but not a primary measure Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the 'Isolation' risk reduction measure?

Separating hazardous materials from personnel Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of not properly monitoring risk controls?

Accumulation of risks and hazards Signup and view all the answers

Which option describes the 'Substitution' measure in risk reduction?

Replacing hazardous materials with non-hazardous alternatives Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary basis for assessing any risk?

Balancing likelihood and severity Signup and view all the answers

How is a high risk typically classified?

When there is a high likelihood of fatality or serious injury Signup and view all the answers

What should be the immediate action for a risk rated between 20 and 40?

Immediately stop the work methods and/or unsafe conditions Signup and view all the answers

Which severity factor corresponds with minor injury or illness?

2 Signup and view all the answers

What probability factor indicates a highly probable occurrence?

4 Signup and view all the answers

Which action is necessary when the risk is rated as trivial?

No action is required Signup and view all the answers

What is the calculation for Evaluation Points based on severity and probability factors?

Multiplication of SF and PF Signup and view all the answers

If an occurrence has a reasonable probability of causing serious harm, what could its risk rating be?

High or medium risk Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following outcomes is associated with a severity factor of 8?

Fatality or permanent disability Signup and view all the answers

What action should be taken for a medium risk rated from 12 to 19?

Improve work methods and/or unsafe conditions as soon as possible Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Risk Assessment Overview

Risk assessment involves examining workplace hazards to prevent harm to employees and others.
Essential for ensuring safety and legal compliance regarding health and safety laws.
Findings must be recorded, maintained, and retrievable for accountability and training.

Types of Hazards

Machine and Facilities: Factors include shape, location, stability, pressure, temperature, safety devices, and various motions.
Working Environment: Issues such as confined spaces, unstable surfaces, poor visibility, and environmental toxins.
Electrical Hazards: Poor insulation, overload, static electricity, and short circuits.
Thermal Hazards: Injuries from extreme heat or cold surfaces.
Noise Hazards: High volume or frequency noise that impairs communication.
Vibration Hazards: Risks from prolonged exposure to vibrating tools or machinery.
Radiation Hazards: Exposure to ultraviolet, X-rays, and various radioactive emissions.
Material and Substance: Risks from flammable, toxic, or corrosive materials.
Ergonomics Hazards: Poor posture, excessive effort, and stress-related conditions.
Disasters: Natural events like typhoons, floods, and earthquakes.

Classification of Accidents

Falls from height, trips, and being hit by objects are common injury causes.
Dangerous environments can lead to electric shocks, explosions, or fires.
Identifying incidents and analyzing root causes is critical.

5 Steps to Risk Assessment

Look for Hazards: Conduct a workplace walkthrough to identify potential risks.
Decide Who Might Be Harmed: Recognize at-risk groups like employees, trainees, and visitors.
Evaluate Risks: Assess likelihood and severity to determine if existing controls are adequate.
Record Findings: Document outcomes and communicate them to ensure awareness.
Review Assessments: Regularly update assessments based on changes in equipment, procedures, or new hazards.

Risk Evaluation

Risks are rated as high, medium, or low based on the probability of occurrence and severity of outcome.
High risks require immediate action; medium risks often necessitate improvement; low risks may need monitoring.

Severity and Probability Factors

Severity Factor (SF) rates potential injury/illness and property damage with a scale of 1 (negligible) to 8 (fatality).
Probability Factor (PF) assesses occurrence likelihood from 1 (very rare) to 5 (extremely high).
Evaluation Points calculated by multiplying SF and PF guide risk classification.

Risk Control Measures

Implement measures based on classification such as training, supervision, isolation of hazards, and use of PPE.
Prioritize eliminating or substituting hazards when possible, followed by reducing risk through engineering controls or administrative measures.

Risk Assessment Sheet Form

A structured approach to document and evaluate risks, utilizing factors, evaluation points, and severity classifications to ensure comprehensive safety oversight.

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Description

This quiz covers the fundamentals of risk assessment, focusing on how to identify potential hazards in the workplace and evaluate necessary precautions to ensure safety. It serves as a guide for training new staff in understanding risk management practices.