TMS-RA04-A-01-02Page 1 of 20 The Risk Assessment Process

TMS-RA04-A-01-02Page 2 of 20 Key Terms a) A hazard is a source of potential harm or damage or situation with potential for harm or damage b) Risk is the combination of the likelihood and the consequences of a specified hazardous event (accident or incident) A risk, then, always has two elements: the likelihood that a hazard may occur the consequence of the hazardous event

TMS-RA04-A-01-02Page 3 of 20 Basic Steps Risk assessment involves three basic steps: Identify hazards Estimate the risk from each hazard - the likelihood and severity of harm Decide if the risk is tolerable

TMS-RA04-A-01-02Page 4 of 20 The Process of Risk Assessment Classify work activities Identify hazards Determine risk Decide if risk is tolerable Prepare risk control action plan (if necessary) Review adequacy of action plan

TMS-RA04-A-01-02Page 5 of 20 Level of Risk Probability of occurrence Severity of consequences Unacceptable Risk Trivial Risk

TMS-RA04-A-01-02Page 6 of 20 Risk Assessment Requirements Appoint a senior member of the organisation Consult with everyone concerned Determine risk assessment training needs Review adequacy of assessment Document significant findings of the assessment

TMS-RA04-A-01-02Page 7 of 20 Risk Assessment pro-forma Work activity Hazard(s) Controls in place Personnel at risk Likelihood of harm Severity of harm Risk levels Action to be taken following the assessment Administration details, e.g. name of assessor, date, etc.

TMS-RA04-A-01-02Page 8 of 20 Prepare a list of work activities Gather necessary information about them Ref. Work Activity Information Checklist Classify work activities

TMS-RA04-A-01-02Page 9 of 20 Three questions enable hazard identification: 1) Is there a source of harm? 2) Who (or what) could be harmed? 3) How could harm occur? Identify hazards Classify work activities

TMS-RA04-A-01-02Page 10 of 20 Broad categories of hazard Mechanical Electrical Radiation Substances Fire and explosion Develop Hazards Prompt List

TMS-RA04-A-01-02Page 11 of 20 Determine Risk Clarify work activities Identify hazards Determine risk

TMS-RA04-A-01-02Page 12 of 20 Severity of Harm The following should be considered: part(s) of the body likely to be affected nature of the harm, ranging from slightly to extremely harmful

TMS-RA04-A-01-02Page 13 of 20 Likelihood of harm When seeking to establish likelihood of harm, the adequacy of control measures already implemented needs to be considered Legal requirements and codes of practice are good guides covering controls of specific hazards

TMS-RA04-A-01-02Page 14 of 20 Classify work Identify hazards Determine risk Decide if risk is tolerable

TMS-RA04-A-01-02Page 15 of 20 Slightly harmful Harmful Extremely harmful Highly unlikely Trivial Risk Tolerable Risk Moderate Risk Unlikely Tolerable Risk Moderate Risk Substantial Risk Likely Moderate Risk Substantial Risk Intolerable Risk NOTE: Tolerable here means that risk has been reduced to the lowest level that is reasonably practicable. Table 1: A simple risk level estimator

TMS-RA04-A-01-02Page 16 of 20 Table 2 Risk Level Estimator (numbers) Slightly HarmfulExtremelyHarmful Highly Unlikely Unlikely Likely 3 6 9

TMS-RA04-A-01-02Page 17 of 20 Classify work Identify hazards Determine risk Decide if risk is tolerable Prepare risk control action plan

TMS-RA04-A-01-02Page 18 of 20 Controlling the Risks 1.Elimination 2.Substitution 3.Isolation 4.Engineering controls 5.Administrative controls 6.Use of personal protective equipment

TMS-RA04-A-01-02Page 19 of 20 Table 3: A simple risk-based control plan Risk LevelAction And Timescale TrivialNo action is required and no documentary records need to be kept. TolerableNo additional controls are required. Consideration may be given to a more cost-effective solution or improvement that imposes no additional cost burden. Monitoring is required to ensure that the controls are maintained. ModerateEfforts should be made to reduce the risk, but the costs of prevention should be carefully measured and limited. Risk reduction measures should be implemented within a defined period. SubstantialStrenuous efforts must be made to reduce the risk. IntolerableWork should be discontinued pending a decision on risk reduction

TMS-RA04-A-01-02Page 20 of 20 Classify work Identify hazards Determine risk Decide if risk is tolerable Prepare risk control action plan Review adequacy of action plan