NEBOSH Risk Assessment

Question 1

What are the five steps of risk assessment according to the HSE?

Accepted Answer

Identify hazards, decide who might be harmed and how, evaluate risks and decide on controls, record findings, and review and update

Answer

Eliminate hazards, substitute, engineer, administrate, protect

Answer

Inspect, observe, measure, control, report

Answer

Assess, plan, act, check, review

Question 2

How is risk typically calculated in a risk matrix?

Accepted Answer

Risk = Likelihood of harm × Severity of harm

Answer

Risk = Number of workers × Hazard type

Answer

Risk = Cost of control measures ÷ Number of workers

Answer

Risk = Frequency of inspections × Number of hazards

Question 3

What is the purpose of 'dynamic risk assessment'?

Accepted Answer

Real-time risk assessment conducted during rapidly changing situations (emergency services, dynamic construction sites) when pre-planned assessments cannot cover all eventualities

Answer

A risk assessment that changes every day automatically

Answer

Dynamic risk assessment is more formal than standard risk assessment

Answer

Only used by emergency services — not applicable in workplaces

Question 4

Who should be involved in conducting a workplace risk assessment?

Accepted Answer

Managers, supervisors, and the workers who actually do the work — workers have the most detailed knowledge of actual hazards

Answer

Only the safety officer

Answer

Only senior management

Answer

Only external consultants

Question 5

What factors should be considered when assessing the risk to 'vulnerable groups' in the workplace?

Accepted Answer

Pregnant workers, young persons, workers with disabilities, lone workers, and migrant workers may have increased susceptibility or reduced ability to protect themselves — risk assessments must specifically address them

Answer

All workers are equally susceptible to all hazards

Answer

Vulnerable groups are only the elderly

Answer

Only disabled workers require special consideration

Question 6

When should a risk assessment be reviewed and updated?

Accepted Answer

After a significant change (new process, new substance, new equipment, after an accident), when there is reason to believe it is no longer valid, and at regular intervals

Answer

Only when a regulatory inspector requires it

Answer

Only when an accident occurs

Answer

At a fixed interval regardless of changes in the workplace