NEBOSH

WEEK 1 – ELEMENT 5
Risk Assessment

© TWI Gulf WLL 2008

 Risk Assessment:- Definitions
Hazard:-
Something with the
potential to cause harm
Risk:-
The likelihood that harm will
occur
The extent of risks cover the
population affected and the
Consequences for them
 Competence of Risk Assessors

1) A combination of training, knowledge

and experience and personal qualities
2) A thorough understanding of the
processes and procedures involved
3) Knowledge of own limitations
4) Good communication skills
 Suitable and Sufficient
1) Identify all the significant hazards and risks
2) Evaluate the risks
3) Identify employees and others at risk
4) Identify control measures
5) Record the significant and ignore the trivial
6) Be appropriate to the nature of the work
7) Residual risk is low
 Risk Assessment – 5 Steps

1) Identify the Hazards

2) Decide who may be
harmed and how
3) Evaluate risks & existing
precautions
4) Record the findings
5) Review Assessments:
 1) Identify the hazards
1) Workplace inspections
2) Task observation
3) Job safety analysis
4) Accident, ill-health or near miss data
5) Combined techniques
6) Documentation
7) Consultation with the workforce
 2) Who may be harmed & how?
What are the Hazards?
How likely to occur?
Consequences?
Number of people?
Frequency/Duration?
Effects of exposure?
Competence?
Existing Controls?:
 2) Special at risk groups
Consider groups who may be
especially at risk:-
The disabled

Pregnant workers

Children

Young workers
 Severity and Likelihood
Severity Likelihood
1) Minor no lost time 1) Very unlikely
2) Under 3 Days 2) Unlikely
3) Over 3 Days 3) Likely
4) Disabling Injury 4) Very Likely
5) Fatality 5) Certain, Imminent

1-7 Low risk 8-14 Medium risk

15-25 High risk
 Risk Matrix
LIKELIHOOD
S
1 2 3 4 5
E
1 11 2 3 4 5
V
E 2 2 4 6 8 10
R 3 3 6 9 12 15
I
4 4 8 12 16 20
T
5 5 10 15 20 25
Y
Likelihood & Severity - Exercise
Likelihood and Severity Exercise
Likelihood and Severity
 Hierarchy of Control
Hierarchy of control definition:- A preferred series of
measures to control risks in order to of priority starting
with elimination and ending with discipline

Eliminate:- Remove trailning cable

Reduction:- Use lower voltage tools
Isolate:- Guard dangerous machinery
Control:- Reduce time/frequency of exposure
Personal Protective Equipment:- Issue PPE
Discipline:- Enforce rules and procedures
Evaluate the risks and decide whether
existing precautions are adequate
a) The effectiveness of the existing precautions
Workplace precautions
Risk control systems

b) An estimation of the risk

c) What further actions necessary to eliminate
risk
4) Record the Significant findings
The significant hazards
People affected
Adequacy of controls
Any Further actions required
 Review of Risk Assessment
Accidents
Changes in Process
Changes in Work Methods
Changes in Materials
New Plant or Technology
New Information
Changes in Legislation
Prosecutions/Enforcement notices
Changes in Personnel
Monitoring Results not as expected:
 Risk Assessment - Summary
Factors to be considered:-
Tasks/activities
The hazards involved
Likelihood and severity of harm
Frequency and duration of activity
Number of Employees involved
Frequency of exposure
Competence of Employees doing task
Competence of Risk Assessor
Evaluation of existing control measures
Review/monitoring provision
Special cases for risk assessment

Young Persons

New and expectant mothers

The disabled

Night shift workers

 Young Persons
Young persons take risks because:-
Lack of knowledge, experience and/or
training
Body not fully developed
More likely to take risks
More likely to respond to peer group
pressure
Be over enthusiastic
 Young persons
Control measures for young persons:-
Training
Close supervision
Mentoring
Specific health surveillance
Clear lines of communication
Restrictions on type of work
Restricting the hours worked
Hazards to new and expectant mothers
Exposure to chemicals
Lead
Biological exposure
Ionising Radiation
Extremes of temperature
Manual handling
Ergonomic issues
Environmental issues (Heat, Light, Noise etc.
Stress
Personal protective equipment
Violence, lone working
 Disabled Workers
Disabled workers at risk because of:-
Reduced mobility
Access to welfare facilities
Reduced sensory input to recognise hazards
Reduced communication ability
Reduced ability to lift, carry, move objects
Ergonomic issues
 Factors for Night Working
a) Hours worked and recovery period between
shifts
b) Disruption of normal routines-general wellbeing
c) Fatigue and human error
d) Level of supervision required/contact for lone
working
e) Access to specialist advice
f) Increase risk of violence travelling to/from work
g) Emergency arrangements/first aid facilities
h) Access to welfare amenities
i) Work environment e.g.: lighting/ heat etc::::