SSSTS Risk Assessment

Question 1

What are the five steps of the HSE's recommended risk assessment process?

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

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?

Accepted 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

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

When there is a significant change in the work, after an incident, when new information becomes available, or at regular planned intervals

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Eliminating the hazard entirely

Answer

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?

Accepted 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

Answer

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.

SSSTS Practice Test

SSSTS Practice Test

SSSTS Risk Assessment