Page 75 - IGC BOOK

Step 3 - Evaluate the Risks and Decide on Precautions

The term risk can be defined as ‘the likelihood of harm’. This is usually regarded to have two
components:

• The likelihood of the hazardous event occurring
• The severity of the harm that results

Thus, a better definition might be ‘the likelihood of harm together with the potential severity of
harm that results from a hazard’.

The simplest way to evaluate the risk is to allocate descriptions such as high, medium and
Low to the level of risk. Another method is to use a numerical system, allocating numbers to
variations in likelihood and severity, and then applying these to a matrix e.g.

When considering the severity of the injury that may result, it is important to be realistic. If
someone tripped over a trailing cable on the floor in a warehouse, the person may end up with
bruises or a fractured bone. However, if the cable was running across the entrance to the busy
metal stairs on the second floor, a more severe injury, even death may result. It is often useful to
ask the question: ‘Based on actual injuries – how many of the injuries resulting from that hazard
did result in the severity of injury that I have proposed?’

Again, some organisations will adapt their own accident experience over these subjective
statements with a view to making them more relevant for their own organisation. This simple
model allows this, and customisation, without over complication, is to be encouraged.

Risk rating

In our simple risk assessment, the next stage is to multiply the ‘likelihood’ number by the
‘severity’ number to arrive at a risk rating for each hazard. The result of this exercise will
provide a risk rating from 1 to 25, as seen in the table that follows.

5×5 Risk assessment matrix

POSHE V2| Unit IG1 – Element 3 – Managing Risks – Understanding People and Processes 30