Assessing Risks Flashcards
6 cards from real IOSH practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Assessing Risks flashcards as text
What does 'likelihood' mean in the context of risk assessment?
Answer: The probability or chance that harm will occur
Likelihood refers to the probability or chance that a hazard will actually result in harm. Factors affecting likelihood include frequency of exposure, effectiveness of existing controls, and the nature of the hazard.
What does 'severity' mean in the context of risk assessment?
Answer: The potential consequence or seriousness of the harm that could result
Severity refers to the potential consequence or seriousness of harm that could result from a hazard. It ranges from minor (small bruise, scratch) to catastrophic (death, permanent disability).
Which groups of people must be specifically considered in a risk assessment?
Answer: All who might be affected, including visitors, contractors, young workers, new/expectant mothers and people with disabilities
Risk assessments must consider all who might be affected by the work activity, including employees, contractors, visitors, members of the public, and particularly vulnerable groups such as young workers, new or expectant mothers, and disabled workers.
How often should a risk assessment be reviewed?
Answer: Regularly, and whenever there are significant changes or new information
Risk assessments should be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes such as new equipment, substances, staff, processes, or after an incident. They are living documents, not one-off exercises.
What is a 'suitable and sufficient' risk assessment?
Answer: One that identifies significant hazards, evaluates the risks properly, and is appropriate for the work activity
A suitable and sufficient risk assessment identifies the significant hazards, evaluates the risks to those who could be affected, and determines appropriate control measures. It should be proportionate — detailed enough without being overly bureaucratic.
What is the hierarchy of control measures?
Answer: A ranked sequence of control strategies from most to least effective: elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, PPE
The hierarchy of control ranks measures from most effective (elimination — remove the hazard entirely) to least effective (PPE — protect the individual). You should always aim as high up the hierarchy as reasonably practicable.