SSSTS Risk Assessment — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are the five steps of the HSE's recommended risk assessment process?
- Plan, do, check, act, review
- Identify hazards, decide who might be harmed, evaluate risks and decide on precautions, record findings, and review and update (Correct answer)
- Observe, report, investigate, implement, close
- Design, build, test, deploy, maintain
Correct answer: Identify hazards, decide who might be harmed, evaluate risks and decide on precautions, record findings, and review and update
The HSE's five-step approach to risk assessment is: (1) identify the hazards, (2) decide who might be harmed and how, (3) evaluate the risks and decide on precautions, (4) record your significant findings, and (5) review your risk assessment and update if necessary.
Question 2: What is the difference between a hazard and a risk in the context of construction site safety?
- They are the same thing
- A hazard is something with the potential to cause harm, while a risk is the likelihood that harm will occur combined with the severity of that harm (Correct answer)
- A hazard is a minor issue and a risk is a major issue
- A risk is physical and a hazard is financial
Correct answer: A hazard is something with the potential to cause harm, while a risk is the likelihood that harm will occur combined with the severity of that harm
A hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm (e.g., working at height, electricity, chemicals). A risk is the chance (likelihood) that somebody could be harmed by the hazard, combined with the severity of the harm. Risk assessment evaluates both elements.
Question 3: When must a risk assessment be reviewed on a construction site?
- Only at the start of the project
- When there is a significant change in the work, after an incident, when new information becomes available, or at regular planned intervals (Correct answer)
- Only when the HSE inspects the site
- Only if a worker requests it
Correct answer: When there is a significant change in the work, after an incident, when new information becomes available, or at regular planned intervals
Risk assessments must be reviewed when there are significant changes to the work, plant, substances, or conditions; after an accident, incident, or near miss; when new information about risks becomes available; and at regular planned intervals to ensure they remain current and effective.
Question 4: What does the hierarchy of control measures specify as the most effective method of controlling risk?
- Providing personal protective equipment
- Eliminating the hazard entirely (Correct answer)
- Putting up warning signs
- Training workers to be more careful
Correct answer: Eliminating the hazard entirely
The hierarchy of control, from most to least effective, is: (1) Elimination — remove the hazard entirely, (2) Substitution — replace with a less hazardous option, (3) Engineering controls — isolate people from the hazard, (4) Administrative controls — change work procedures, (5) PPE — as a last resort.
Question 5: A generic risk assessment has been prepared for bricklaying. When is a site-specific risk assessment also required?
- Never — generic assessments are always sufficient
- When the site conditions differ from those assumed in the generic assessment, such as working at height, near live services, or in confined spaces (Correct answer)
- Only if the client demands one
- Only for projects worth more than £500,000
Correct answer: When the site conditions differ from those assumed in the generic assessment, such as working at height, near live services, or in confined spaces
A site-specific risk assessment is needed whenever actual site conditions differ from the assumptions in the generic assessment. This includes unusual locations, proximity to hazards like live services, work at height, confined spaces, ground conditions, or any factor that changes the risk profile.
Question 6: Who should be consulted when carrying out a risk assessment on a construction site?
- Only the project manager
- Workers who carry out the tasks, safety representatives, competent persons, and any specialists relevant to the hazards identified (Correct answer)
- Only the health and safety officer
- No consultation is required
Correct answer: Workers who carry out the tasks, safety representatives, competent persons, and any specialists relevant to the hazards identified
Effective risk assessment requires consultation with those who do the work (they understand the practical risks), safety representatives, competent health and safety advisers, and relevant specialists (e.g., structural engineers, occupational hygienists) depending on the hazards involved.
SSSTS Risk Assessment
What are the five steps of the HSE's recommended risk assessment process?