The following three steps can help you with the process of identifying hazards and determining risks.
Step 1: Identify the consequence for each potential risk by using the table below. Note: If a combination of harm, loss or damage could occur the worst case consequence is selected.
| Level | Description of Consequence |
|---|---|
| High (1) (high level of harm) | Potential death, permanent disability or major structural failure/damage. Off-site environmental discharge/release not contained and significant long-term environmental harm. |
| Medium (2) (medium level of harm) | Potential temporary disability or minor structural failure/damage. On-site environmental discharge/release contained, minor remediation required, short-term environmental harm. |
| Low (3) (low level of harm) | Incident that has the potential to cause persons to require first aid. On-site environmental discharge/release immediately contained, minor level clean up with no short-term environmental harm. |
Step 2: Using the following table, determine how likely it is that the risk will occur and result in the consequence identified above.
| Level | Likelihood/Probability |
|---|---|
| Likely | Could happen frequently |
| Moderate | Could happen occasionally |
| Unlikely | May occur only in exceptional circumstances. |
Step 3: Using the risk matrix below, identify the risk class/ranking.
| Consequence | Likelihood/probability | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Likely | Moderate | Unlikely | |
| High (1) | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Medium (2) | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Low (3) | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Class/Ranking | Description / Requirements |
|---|---|
| 1 | Will require detailed pre-planning. Actions will be recorded on a Safe Work Method Statement |
| 2 | Will require operational planning. Actions will be recorded on a Safe Work Method Statement |
| 3 | Will require localised control measures |
Above risk analysis tables taken from OHSE subby pack. Government of Western Australia. Department of Consumer and Employment Protection. Waiting for copyright clearance – may require inline acknowledgement PM to advise.
Reproduced courtesy of WorkSafe, Department of Commerce, Western Australia, www.worksafe.wa.gov.au