Risk Assessment & Method Statement Review Flashcards

What is the purpose of a risk assessment in the construction industry?

Answer: To identify hazards, evaluate the likelihood and severity of harm, and determine control measures to reduce risk to an acceptable level

A risk assessment is a structured process for identifying workplace hazards, evaluating the risk (likelihood × severity), and determining suitable control measures. It is a legal requirement under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

What does the term 'hazard' mean in health and safety?

Answer: Something with the potential to cause harm

A hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm — for example, a hole in the ground, a chemical, electricity, a vehicle or a heavy load. Identifying hazards is the first step in risk assessment.

What does the term 'risk' mean in health and safety?

Answer: The combination of the likelihood of harm occurring and the severity of the consequence

Risk is the combination of the likelihood that a hazard will cause harm and the severity of that harm. The same hazard can present different levels of risk depending on how many people are exposed and how they are exposed.

What is the five-step process for risk assessment?

Answer: Identify hazards; identify who might be harmed and how; evaluate the risk and existing controls; record findings; review and update

The HSE's five-step approach to risk assessment: (1) identify hazards, (2) decide who might be harmed and how, (3) evaluate risks and existing controls, (4) record significant findings, (5) review the assessment and update when necessary.

What does a 'suitable and sufficient' risk assessment mean in practice?

Answer: An assessment that identifies all significant risks, evaluates them properly and leads to appropriate control measures — not necessarily perfect but adequate for the hazards present

'Suitable and sufficient' means the assessment must be appropriate to the nature and complexity of the work, identify all significant risks, evaluate them properly and lead to control measures commensurate with the risks. It need not be over-elaborate for low-risk activities.

How should a site supervisor review a risk assessment submitted by a subcontractor?

Answer: Check that it identifies the actual hazards for the specific task on this site, lists realistic controls and that workers are aware of and follow it

A supervisor must critically review subcontractor risk assessments to ensure they are specific to the actual task and site conditions (not generic templates), identify the real hazards, specify achievable control measures, and have been communicated to workers.