Methodology

Hazard Identification, Risk Identification and Rating, Control Measures and Action Plan

(BS 8800 Model)

The purpose of this risk analysis is to obtain an idea of the size or scale of the risk. This is to ensure that the hazards identified are prioritised for further action to be taken. The risks that are identified should be based on the potential severity of harm and the likelihood that it will occur. The assessment is subjective with little value for assigning a numeric value.

Severity of harm

The severity of harm is based on the information of the activities and observation of the site together with:

• Parts of the body likely to be affected

• Nature of harm ranging from slight to extremely harmful.

Slightly harmful
e.g. superficial injuries; minor cuts and bruises, eye irritation from dust; nuisance and irritation etc

Harmful
e.g. lacerations, burns, concussion, serious sprains, minor fractures, deafness, dermatitis, asthma, work related upper limb disorders, etc.

Extremely harmful
e.g. amputations, major fractures, poisonings, multiple injuries, fatal injuries, occupational cancer and other life shortening diseases.

Likelihood of harm

The likelihood of harm is based on the existing controls that are in place. Specific hazards, legal requirements, codes of practice or guidance from the manufacturers or suppliers. The factors that have been considered are:

• The number of people exposed

• The frequency and duration of the exposure to the hazard

• Failure of the services e.g. water and electricity

• Failure of plant and machinery components

• Exposure to elements

• Protection of personal protective equipment

• Unsafe acts of persons who do not know hazards; have no knowledge or physical capability to do work; under estimates the risks they are exposed; take short cuts to complete the tasks, horseplay; and under estimates the practicality & usefulness of safe systems of work.

Guide to risk assessment

(refer to the risk rating/severity below)

HAZARD potential for harm				Risk Level Estimator (BEFORE)				Residual Risk Level (AFTER)				CONTROL MEASURES Reducing the risk to an acceptable level
				This column should indicate the estimated risk level before any control measures are put in place (in priority order)				This column should indicate the estimated risk level after the control measures are put in place.				This column has been included to explain the control measures to be adopted to tackle the issues – to reduce the risk. Managers and staff are reminded that generic risk assessments might have to be tailored to fit the actual conditions which would vary from site to site.

The risk rating/severity tables

The table below shows the simple method, which can be used for deciding whether the risks are tolerable. The risks are classified according to their estimated likelihood and potential severity of harm.

		SLIGHTLY HARMFUL		HARMFUL		EXTREME HARMFUL
HIGHLY UNLIKELY		Trivial risk		Tolerable risk		Moderate risk
UNLIKELY		Tolerable risk		Moderate risk		Substantial risk
LIKELY		Moderate Risk		Substantial risk		Intolerable risk

Risk based action and control plan table

Risk Level: Action and time scale

Trivial: No action is required and no documentary records need to be kept.

Tolerable: No additional controls are required. Consideration may be given to a more cost effective solution or improvement that imposes no additional cost burden. Monitoring is required to ensure that the controls are maintained

Moderate: Efforts should be made to reduce the risk but the costs of prevention should be carefully measured and limited. Risk reduction measures should be implemented within a defined time period.

Where the moderate risk is associated with extremely harmful consequences, further assessment may be necessary to establish more precisely the likelihood of harm, and so any improved control measures.

Substantial: Work should not start, or stopped until the risk has been removed or reduced. Considerable resources may also have to be allocated to reduce the risk.

Intolerable: Work should not be started or continued until the risk has been reduced. If it is not possible to reduce risk even within unlimited resources the work has to remain prohibited.