Health and Safety Risk Assessment in the Workplace

Introduction to Workplace Risk Assessment

• Definition, purpose, and benefits of risk assessment
• Legal and regulatory requirements for workplace safety
• Types of hazards: physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial
• Roles and responsibilities of employers and employees in risk management

Hazard Identification Techniques

• Workplace inspections, observation, and incident analysis
• Task analysis and job safety assessments
• Employee reporting and consultation methods
• Using checklists, templates, and digital assessment tools

Risk Evaluation and Prioritization

• Understanding likelihood and severity
• Risk-ranking methods and matrices
• Determining acceptable vs. unacceptable risk levels
• Documenting findings and assigning priorities

Control Measures and Mitigation Strategies

• Hierarchy of controls: elimination to PPE
• Developing and implementing effective safety controls
• Engineering, administrative, and behavioral controls
• Evaluating control effectiveness and making improvements

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

• Routine inspections and audits
• Incident reporting and investigation feedback loops
• Updating risk assessments based on changes in processes or equipment
• Building a culture of continuous safety enhancement