SAF Risk Assessment & Hazard Identification 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which risk assessment methodology uses a numerical matrix to combine the likelihood of an event with its potential severity?
- Fault Tree Analysis
- Risk matrix scoring (Correct answer)
- HAZOP study
- Bowtie analysis
Correct answer: Risk matrix scoring
A risk matrix scoring system assigns numerical values to likelihood and severity, then multiplies or combines them to produce a risk score.
Question 2: A 'near-miss' incident is BEST described as:
- An event causing minor injury only
- An unplanned event that did not result in harm but had the potential to do so (Correct answer)
- A hazard that has been fully controlled
- An incident involving property damage without injuries
Correct answer: An unplanned event that did not result in harm but had the potential to do so
A near-miss is an unplanned event with no injury or damage that, under slightly different circumstances, could have caused harm.
Question 3: Which of the following is an example of an administrative control for hazard mitigation?
- Installing machine guards
- Providing personal protective equipment
- Rotating workers to limit exposure time (Correct answer)
- Substituting a toxic chemical with a safer one
Correct answer: Rotating workers to limit exposure time
Administrative controls include work practice changes such as job rotation, shift limits, and written procedures rather than physical modifications.
Question 4: In a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), what is the FIRST step?
- Identify hazards for each task step
- Determine the job to be analyzed (Correct answer)
- Develop preventive measures
- Review accident history
Correct answer: Determine the job to be analyzed
The first step in a JHA is selecting and describing the specific job or task to be analyzed before breaking it into steps.
Question 5: Residual risk is defined as the risk that remains AFTER:
- Hazards are identified but before controls are applied
- Controls have been implemented (Correct answer)
- The risk matrix has been completed
- Workers have been trained
Correct answer: Controls have been implemented
Residual risk is the level of risk that persists after all practicable control measures have been put in place.
Question 6: Which term describes the probability that a specific hazardous event will occur within a given time period?
- Severity
- Likelihood (Correct answer)
- Exposure
- Vulnerability
Correct answer: Likelihood
Likelihood (or probability) refers to the chance that a hazardous event will occur during a defined timeframe.
Question 7: What is the primary purpose of a Pre-Task Risk Assessment (PTRA)?
- To document historical accident data
- To identify and control hazards immediately before starting a specific task (Correct answer)
- To evaluate the organization's overall safety program
- To assign blame for previous incidents
Correct answer: To identify and control hazards immediately before starting a specific task
A Pre-Task Risk Assessment is conducted just before work begins to identify hazards specific to that day's conditions and task.
SAF Risk Assessment & Hazard Identification 2
Which risk assessment methodology uses a numerical matrix to combine the likelihood of an event with its potential severity?