A quick presentation about simple risk assessment techniques that could be applied to daily work activities in the context of occupational health and safety management. It is also helpful to students studying for their NEBOSH IGC exam, IOSH Managing Safely and many Health & Safety certificates.

1. Risk Assessment in
Occupational
Health & Safety
Dr.WessamAtif
1
Dr. Wessam Atif

2. Risk Management
• Risk management is a business process that aims to
minimize or eradicate risks by maximizing the
protection of the assets of the organization in the most
cost effective manner.
• It covers wider range than Risk Assessment i.e. risk
assessment falls under one of the risk management
strategies which is Risk Reduction.
• There are three main aspects to the role of risk
management:
1. Considering the risks inherent in a business
2. Devising strategies to minimize or control these risks
3. Integrating these risk control strategies into the
business framework of the company.
Dr.WessamAtif
2

3. Risk
control
strategies
n Risk Avoidance.
n Risk Retention.
n Risk Transfer.
n Risk Reduction.
Dr.WessamAtif
3

4. Risk
In the context of HSE, risk is defined as a measure of the probability for
an incident to happen and of the potential severity of the
consequences. [BS OHSAS 18001:2007]
Dr.WessamAtif
4
Severity
Probability

5. What is Hazard?
• Hazard
• Any object, physical condition, or physical effect which has the potential to
cause harm.
• Hazard Categories may include but are not limited to:
Dr.WessamAtif
5
o Land Transport
o Air Transport
o Water Transport
o Electrical
o Fire/Flammable
o Temperature
o Explosives
o Radiation
o Pressure
¨ Potential Energy (stepping, handling.. etc.)
¨ Machinery/Equipment/Hand Tools
¨ Toxic/Corrosive/Hazardous Substances
¨ Nuisance/Noise
¨ Vibration
¨ Drugs/Alcohol
¨ Natural Phenomena
¨ Human (security, crime)
¨ Biological Hazard/Illness

6. • Incident:
Work
related
event(s)
in
which
an
injury
or
ill
health
(regardless
of
severity)
or
fatality
occurred,
or
could
have
occurred
• Note
1:
An
accident
is
an
incident,
which
has
given
rise
to
injury,
ill
health
or
fatality.
• Note
2:
An
incident
where
no
injury,
ill
health,
or
fatality
occurs
may
also
be
referred
to
as
a
“near-­‐miss”,
“near-­‐hit”,
“close
call”
or
“dangerous
occurrence”.
• Note
3:
An
emergency
situaFon
is
a
parFcular
type
of
incident.
Dr.WessamAtif
6

7. Dr.WessamAtif
7
5 simple steps for Risk Assessment:
Hierarchy of Control measures for removing or reducing a
hazard:
1. Look for the hazard
2. Decide WHO might be harmed and how
3. Evaluate / Estimate the RISK and decide
whether existing precautions are adequate
or more action should be done
4. Record your findings
5. Review your assessment and revise it if
necessary

8. Who should do Risk Assessment?
• Team with experience and
training in hazard identification
and risk assessment.
• Knowledge of the process or
activity.
• Good communication and
reporting skills.
• Ability to interpret legislation and
guidance.
• Attention to detail.
• Managerial influence to
implement change.
Dr.WessamAtif
8

9. How to look for hazards?
• Task observation.
• Accident, ill health or near miss
data.
• Workplace inspections.
• Job safety analysis.
• Legal standards.
• Guidance; ILO, OSHA, ISO,
HSE ..etc.
• Consultation.
Dr.WessamAtif
9

10. Whom might get harmed?
• Employees.
• Maintenance workers.
• Cleaners.
• Contractors.
• Visitors.
• Public.
• Vulnerable groups (young, inexperienced, pregnant,
disabled .. Etc).
Dr.WessamAtif
10

11. Risk evaluation Matrix
A] Probability or Likelihood of Harm Occurring
Highly Unlikely1
Reasonably Likely2
Even Chance3
Highly Likely4
Almost Certain5
Dr. Wessam Atif 11

12. Risk evaluation Matrix
B] Consequences or Severity of Harm
Minor Injury: Cuts and abrasions, minor skin or eye
irritations, etc.
1
Injury requiring first aid: Any injury that requires first aid.2
Injury or industrial disease requiring medical treatment:
Deep wounds, fractures, scalds, burns, eye injuries,
respiratory infections, temporary blindness or hearing loss,
etc.
3
Serious injury or long term medical effects (industrial
disease): Loss of fingers, toes, damage to eyes, serious
medical effects.
4
Major Injury or Fatality: Loss of limbs, sight, hearing,
long term illness or death.
5
12

13. Table of Risk Rating
13

14. Dr.WessamAtif
14
• Elimination: completely removing the hazard
Substitution: with a less hazardous substance
• Engineering controls, design and
Isolation
• Administrative controls; Job rotation,
Instructions and Supervision, safe system of
work, etc.
• General tidiness and good housekeeping
• Supplying personal protective equipment
www.hse.gov.uk
Hierarchy of Control measures for removing or
reducing a hazard:
--------------------------------------------------------------------

15. • Potential Risk: The original risk with no control measures
in place or with inadequate existing controls.
Dr.WessamAtif
15
• Residual Risk: The remaining risk after all adequate,
actual and planned control measures.
• Prevention controls: Proactive control measures
which help prevent accidents before happening.
• Mitigation controls: Control measures which help in
reducing the severity & consequences of accidents after
occurrence.

16. Blank Risk Assessment sheet
Dr.WessamAtif
16

17. Why record it?
• Accident Investigation.
• Future reference.
• Audits and training purposes.
• Duty of care / Legal requirements.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Dr.WessamAtif
17
When to review it?
n In cases of accidents.
n Periodically.
n Change in legal requirements.
n After Audits.
n New Activities / equipment / personnel.
n New info available / New technologies.

18. RA has to be “Suitable” & “Sufficient”
• All aspects of work activity to be reviewed.
• Routine and Non Routine operations.
• Identify significant hazards and risks.
• Evaluate the risks.
• Identify control measures in place and planned /
prevention and mitigation.
• Take account of risks to public.
• Ensure the risk assessment is valid for a reasonable
time.
Dr.WessamAtif
18

19. Special cases for a risk assessment!
• Pregnant / Nursing mothers
• Young workers
• Disabled employees
“To be discussed with participants as a
group activity”
Dr.WessamAtif
19

20. References
• ILO 2001 ILO-OSH: Guidelines on Occupational Safety and
Health Management Systems.
• BS – OHSAS 18001:2007 Occupational Health & Safety
Assessment Series.
• OHSAS 18002 : Guidelines for the implementation of
OHSAS 18001.
• HSE 2003 HSG 65: Successful Health & Safety Management.
• HSE 1994 INDG 163: Five Steps to Risk Assessment.
• The Egyptian Law of Labor.
• www.hse.gov.uk
Dr.WessamAtif
20

21. Any Questions?
Thanks,
Dr. Wessam Atif
Dr.WessamAtif
21