Risk management

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# How is a risk assessment done? (cont.) ## Field-level Risk Assessment (cont.) The purpose of a field-level risk assessment is to identify, assess, and manage hazards and risks in real-time or on-site as work progresses, with a focus on ensuring the safety of workers. Field- level risk assessments are often completed in addition to formal risk assessments that have already been done before that specific day. Field-level risk assessments can also supplement safety meetings with teams as you work together through a common task, highlighting hazards and control measures that are currently in place. It can also be a good opportunity to brainstorm additional controls or better ways to complete the task. These risk assessments can help continue the safety conversation and avoid complacency. Similar to other risk assessments, each step of the task should be written down and hazards identified. The risk of each hazard can then be assessed based on the likelihood and severity of harm. Then, the team will determine if the current controls in place are adequate, or if further measures are needed prior to work beginning. An example of a table that may assist with a field- level risk assessment is shown in Table 4. Risk matrices similar to those in Table 2 or Table 3 can also be used to assess the risk for each hazard. Table 4: Field-level risk assessment Job or work activity being assessed: <table><tr><th>Step/task description</th><th>Hazards</th><th>Risk</th><th>Priority</th><th>Current controls</th><th>Recommended controls</th></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td><td></td></tr></table> ## What are methods of hazard control? Once you have established the priorities, the organization can decide on ways to control each specific hazard. Hazard control methods are often grouped into the following categories: - Elimination. - Substitution. - Engineering controls. - Administrative controls. …

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# How is a risk assessment done? In general, to do an assessment, you should: 1. Assemble a risk assessment team. Assessments should be done by a competent person or team of individuals who have a good working knowledge of the situation being studied. Include the supervisors and workers who work with the process under review on the team or as sources of information, as these individuals are the most familiar with the operation. The health and safety committee or representative should also be consulted. 2. Select the job or process to assess. Refer to the above section, "When should a risk assessment be done", to help prioritize your assessments. Ideally, risk assessments should be done for all jobs. Jobs or tasks with higher injury and illness rates, worker concerns, and other factors should be considered first. 3. Break down the job or process into tasks. Divide the job or process into tasks or basic steps to better understand the hazards. 4. Identify the hazards of each task. After the basic steps or tasks have been recorded, identify the hazards of each step or task. List the hazards based on observations and inspections, previous causes of incidents and injuries, feedback from workers and supervisors directly involved in the task, and other considerations. 5. Assess the risk of each hazard. For each hazard, determine the likelihood of harm, such as an injury or illness occurring, and its severity. Use a risk assessment method appropriate for your workplace (see further below for details on risk assessment methods). Consider normal operational situations as well as non-standard events such as maintenance, shutdowns, power outages, emergencies, extreme weather, etc. Review all available health and safety information about the hazard, such as Safety Data Sheet (SDS), manufacturer's literature, information from reputable organizations, results of testing, workplace inspection reports, records of workplace incidents (accidents), including information about the …

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# Hazard and Risk - Risk Assessment (cont.) ## What is a risk assessment? (cont.) Risk - the combination of probability and severity that a person will be harmed or experience an adverse health effect if exposed to a hazard. Risk can also be applied to situations with property or equipment damage, or harmful effects on the environment. Probability - the extent to which an event is likely to occur. The probability of harm may also be referenced as the likelihood of harm. Severity - the seriousness of an incident, injury, or illness. Severity, or consequence, describes the highest level of damage possible from a hazard and is often described in terms such as catastrophic, critical, moderate, minor, or negligible. In general, risk can be expressed as: Risk = probability X severity Hazard control - control measure(s) and action(s) taken to reduce the risk of a hazard based on the risk assessment. Hazard control should also include monitoring, re- evaluation, and compliance with decisions (the term "controls" or "control measures" are also used and have the same meaning). Recommending or determining hazard controls may be incorporated into the risk assessment process, or completed separately following a risk assessment. For definitions and more information about what hazards and risks are, please see the OSH Answers document Hazard and Risk. ## Why is risk assessment important? Risk assessments are very important as they form an integral part of an occupational health and safety management plan. They help to: - Create awareness of hazards and risks. - Identify who may be at risk (e.g., workers, cleaners, visitors, contractors, the public, etc.). - Determine whether a control program is required for a particular hazard. - Determine if existing control measures are adequate or if more should be done. Prevent injuries - or illnesses, especially when done at the design or planning stage. - Prioritize hazards and control measures. - Meet legal requirements …

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CCOHS CCHST Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety Centre canadien d'hygiène et de sécurité au travail Hazard and Risk # Hazard and Risk - Hazard Control ## On this page What is a hazard control program? How do I know what kind of control method is needed? Why should a workplace implement hazard controls? What are the main ways to control a hazard? Where are controls used? Why is it important to monitor and review your hazard control program and methods? ## What is a hazard control program? A hazard control program consists of all steps necessary to protect workers from exposure to a substance or system, the training and the procedures required to monitor worker exposure and their health to hazards such as chemicals, materials or substances, or other types of hazards such as noise and vibration. A written workplace hazard control program should outline which methods are being used to control the exposure and how these controls will be monitored for effectiveness. How do I know what kind of control method is needed? Selecting an appropriate control method is not always easy. It often involves doing a risk assessment to evaluate and prioritize the hazards and risks. In addition, both "normal" and any potential or unusual situations must be studied. Each program should be specially designed to suit the needs of the individual workplace. Hence, no two programs will be exactly alike. Choosing a control method may involve: - Evaluating and selecting temporary and permanent controls. - Implementing temporary measures until permanent (engineering) controls can be put in place. - Implementing permanent controls when reasonably practicable. Hazard and Risk - Hazard Control CCOHS

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# Why is it important to review and monitor the assessments? It is important to know if your risk assessment was complete and accurate. It is also essential to be sure that any changes in the workplace have not introduced new hazards or changed hazards that were once ranked as lower priorities to higher priorities. It is good practice to review your assessment on a regular basis to make sure your control methods are effective. ## What documentation should be done for a risk assessment? It is very important to keep records of your assessment and any control actions taken. You may be required to store assessments for a specific number of years. Check for local requirements in your jurisdiction. The level of documentation or record keeping will depend on: - Level of risk involved. - Legislated requirements. - Requirements of any management systems that may be in place. Your records should show that you: - Conducted a good hazard review. - Determined the risks of those hazards. - Implemented control measures suitable for the risk. - Reviewed and monitored all hazards in the workplace. Fact sheet last revised: 2025-03-12 ## Disclaimer Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information, CCOHS does not guarantee, warrant, represent or undertake that the information provided is correct, accurate or current. CCOHS is not liable for any loss, claim, or demand arising directly or indirectly from any use or reliance upon the information. Hazard and Risk - Risk Assessment CCOHS