Site Safe Hazard Identification and Risk Management — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In NZ Site Safe training, what is the difference between a hazard and a risk?
- A hazard is something that has the potential to cause harm; a risk is the likelihood and consequence of that harm actually occurring (Correct answer)
- A hazard and a risk are the same thing
- A hazard is a minor danger; a risk is a major danger
- A hazard is a risk that has already caused an injury
Correct answer: A hazard is something that has the potential to cause harm; a risk is the likelihood and consequence of that harm actually occurring
In NZ safety terminology, a hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm (e.g., an unguarded excavation). A risk is the combination of how likely it is that harm will occur and how severe that harm could be.
Question 2: What is a risk assessment matrix used for in NZ construction safety?
- To evaluate the level of risk by combining the likelihood of an event occurring with the severity of its consequences, to prioritise control measures (Correct answer)
- To calculate the cost of safety equipment
- To determine how many workers are needed on a project
- To schedule construction activities in order of priority
Correct answer: To evaluate the level of risk by combining the likelihood of an event occurring with the severity of its consequences, to prioritise control measures
A risk assessment matrix in NZ construction plots likelihood (rare to almost certain) against consequence (insignificant to catastrophic) to determine the risk level (low, medium, high, extreme). This helps prioritise which risks need the most urgent control measures.
Question 3: On a NZ construction site, what are the main categories of hazards workers should look for?
- Physical (falls, struck by), chemical (hazardous substances), biological (infections), ergonomic (manual handling), and psychosocial (stress, fatigue) (Correct answer)
- Only physical hazards like falling from heights
- Only hazards specifically listed in the site safety plan
- Hazards are the safety officer's concern, not the worker's
Correct answer: Physical (falls, struck by), chemical (hazardous substances), biological (infections), ergonomic (manual handling), and psychosocial (stress, fatigue)
NZ construction hazards fall into five main categories: physical (falls, crush, struck by, electrocution), chemical (dusts, fumes, solvents), biological (leptospirosis, mould), ergonomic (manual handling, repetitive strain), and psychosocial (fatigue, stress, bullying).
Question 4: What is a Task Analysis or Job Safety Analysis (JSA) in NZ construction?
- A systematic process of breaking a task into steps, identifying hazards at each step, and determining control measures before work begins (Correct answer)
- A financial analysis of the cost of each construction task
- A performance review of each worker's productivity
- An analysis done after an incident to determine what went wrong
Correct answer: A systematic process of breaking a task into steps, identifying hazards at each step, and determining control measures before work begins
A JSA (also called a Task Analysis or Safe Work Method Statement) breaks a construction task into individual steps, identifies the hazards associated with each step, assesses the risks, and determines appropriate control measures before work begins.
Question 5: Under NZ Site Safe standards, what should happen when a new hazard is identified on a construction site?
- Stop the affected work, assess the risk, implement controls, communicate the hazard to all affected workers, and update the site hazard register (Correct answer)
- Continue working and report it at the next safety meeting
- Only report it if someone has been injured
- Email the site manager and wait for a response before taking any action
Correct answer: Stop the affected work, assess the risk, implement controls, communicate the hazard to all affected workers, and update the site hazard register
When a new hazard is identified on a NZ construction site, the immediate response should be: stop the affected work, assess the level of risk, implement appropriate controls (using the hierarchy of controls), communicate the hazard to all affected workers, and update the site hazard register.
Question 6: What is the NZ approach to managing residual risk on construction sites?
- After applying all reasonably practicable controls, the remaining risk must be monitored, managed, and kept as low as reasonably practicable (Correct answer)
- Residual risk can be ignored once control measures are in place
- All residual risk must be eliminated completely — zero risk is the standard
- Residual risk is only the worker's responsibility
Correct answer: After applying all reasonably practicable controls, the remaining risk must be monitored, managed, and kept as low as reasonably practicable
After applying all reasonably practicable control measures, some residual risk may remain. This must be monitored, managed through ongoing supervision and procedures, and documented. Workers must be informed about the residual risks they face.
Site Safe Hazard Identification and Risk Management
In NZ Site Safe training, what is the difference between a hazard and a risk?