The Importance of Risk Assessment

Simon RiceSenior Safety CoordinatorMRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

Q. What is a Hazard?

A. Something that has the potential to cause harm

What are some common hazards at work?

a b c d e f

g h

Q. What is Risk?

A: The chance or likelihood that the hazard will do harm

Risk = Likelihood x Severity

Risk

Often recorded High, Medium or Low

Risk RatingSeverity / Consequence

1. Negligible

2.Minor

3. moderate

4.Serious

5.Major

Likelihood

1.Very

unlikely1 2 3 4 5

2.Unlikely 2 4 6 8 10

3.Possible 3 6 9 12 15

4.Likely 4 8 12 16 20

5.Probable 5 10 15 20 25

Mitigating Risk - The Hierarchy of Controls

Elimination / SubstitutionDo not perform the activity

Find a less hazardous way of doing the work.

Engineering ControlsVentilated enclosures, physical

barriers, light curtains, guards. etc.

Administrative Controls

Establish procedures, Post warning signs,

Provide training.

PPE

Most effective controls

Least effective controls

‘Elf ‘N’ SafetyIt’s all commonsense init?

Legal Moral

Financial

SafetyMatters

L M

F

Health & Safety at Work, etc Act, 1974

• Applies to every workplace

• Aims to protect everyone at work

Or affected by the work

Legal

Both Employers & Employees have to do something (Duties):

Employers Duties

• Safe equipment.

• Safe entrance and exit.

• Safe working environment.

• Use, storage, transport and handling of chemicals

• Train and supervise staff.

Legal

Employees

• Take care of yourselves and others

• Not to misuse or interfere with safety equipment

• Co-operate with your employer – on safety matters

Legal

‘Elf ‘N’ SafetyIt’s all commonsense init?

Legal

Financial

SafetyMatters

“A matter of common humanity”

MoralM

MORAL

Why Is Risk Assessment Important?