IOSH Assessing Risks 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is meant by 'ALARP' in risk management?
- All Levels Are Reported Properly
- As Low As Reasonably Practicable (Correct answer)
- Always Look At Risk Potential
- Assessed Levels And Risk Priorities
Correct answer: As Low As Reasonably Practicable
ALARP stands for 'As Low As Reasonably Practicable'. It means that risks should be reduced to the lowest level that is reasonably practicable, balancing the cost and effort of further reduction against the remaining risk.
Question 2: Which of the following is an example of a biological hazard?
- Asbestos fibres
- Legionella bacteria in water systems (Correct answer)
- Noise from machinery
- Trailing cables
Correct answer: Legionella bacteria in water systems
Legionella bacteria, which can cause Legionnaires' disease, is a biological hazard. Other examples include blood-borne viruses, bacteria from contaminated food, and mould. Asbestos is a chemical/substance hazard.
Question 3: What is a 'risk rating' and how is it typically calculated?
- It is the total number of hazards in a workplace
- It is calculated by multiplying the likelihood score by the severity score (Correct answer)
- It is the cost of implementing control measures
- It is the number of employees exposed to a hazard
Correct answer: It is calculated by multiplying the likelihood score by the severity score
A risk rating provides a numerical value for comparing and prioritising risks. It is typically calculated by multiplying a likelihood score (e.g., 1-5) by a severity score (e.g., 1-5), giving a risk rating that can be categorised as low, medium or high.
Question 4: Why is it important to identify who might be harmed during a risk assessment?
- To allocate blame after an accident
- To ensure control measures protect everyone who could be affected, including vulnerable groups (Correct answer)
- To reduce the number of people in the workplace
- To decide who should carry out the risk assessment
Correct answer: To ensure control measures protect everyone who could be affected, including vulnerable groups
Identifying who might be harmed ensures that control measures are designed to protect all affected parties, with particular attention to vulnerable groups such as young workers, pregnant women, disabled people, and members of the public.
Question 5: What role do accident and ill-health records play in risk assessment?
- They are only needed for RIDDOR reporting
- They help identify patterns, recurring hazards, and areas where current controls may be failing (Correct answer)
- They are only relevant for insurance claims
- They should not be used in risk assessments due to data protection
Correct answer: They help identify patterns, recurring hazards, and areas where current controls may be failing
Accident and ill-health records provide valuable data for risk assessments. They reveal patterns, highlight recurring problems, indicate where controls are failing, and help predict where future incidents might occur.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a risk assessment action plan?
- To list the names of everyone who has read the risk assessment
- To set out what additional controls are needed, who is responsible, and by when (Correct answer)
- To record the names of people who have been injured
- To document the cost of all safety equipment purchased
Correct answer: To set out what additional controls are needed, who is responsible, and by when
An action plan arising from a risk assessment sets out what further control measures need to be implemented, who is responsible for implementing them, the timescale for completion, and how effectiveness will be checked.
IOSH Assessing Risks 4
What is meant by 'ALARP' in risk management?