๐ฆบ HSE LESSON 07
RISK ASSESSMENT
Identify the Hazard → Evaluate the Risk → Control the
Risk
1. Learning Objectives
After completing this lesson, learners should be able to:
- Understand
what Risk Assessment means.
- Understand
the difference between Hazard, Risk, and Control.
- Identify
who may be affected by a hazard.
- Evaluate
risk using Likelihood × Severity.
- Select
appropriate risk controls.
- Understand
the importance of reviewing risk assessments.
- Apply
a simple risk assessment process in warehouse and workplace operations.
2. What Is Risk Assessment?
Risk Assessment is a systematic process used to:
IDENTIFY HAZARDS
↓
ASSESS RISKS
↓
SELECT CONTROLS
↓
IMPLEMENT CONTROLS
↓
REVIEW
In simple terms:
Risk Assessment helps an organization understand what
could go wrong, how serious it could be, and what should be done to prevent or
reduce the harm.
Key Principle
Do not wait for an accident to discover the risk.
3. Hazard vs Risk vs Control
These three concepts are closely connected.
HAZARD
= Source of potential harm
↓
RISK
= Likelihood + Consequence
↓
CONTROL
= Action to eliminate or reduce the risk
Example — Forklift
[HAZARD]
Forklift operating near pedestrians
↓
[RISK]
Pedestrian could be struck
↓
[CONSEQUENCE]
Serious injury
↓
[CONTROL]
Separate pedestrian and forklift routes
Easy Rule
Hazard tells us WHAT can cause harm.
Risk tells us HOW LIKELY and HOW SERIOUS the harm could be.
Control tells us WHAT WE WILL DO about it.
4. Why Risk Assessment Is Important
Effective risk assessment helps organizations:
- ⚠️
Identify hazards before incidents occur.
- ๐ก️
Prevent injuries and ill health.
- ๐ญ
Protect equipment and property.
- ๐ฆ
Protect products and materials.
- ๐ฑ
Reduce environmental risks.
- ๐ฐ
Reduce accident-related costs.
- ๐
Reduce operational disruption.
- ๐ท
Improve employee awareness.
- ๐
Support better HSE performance.
Prevention Flow
[HAZARD]
↓
[RISK]
↓
[CONTROL]
↓
[SAFE WORK]
↓
[PREVENTION]
5. The 5 Steps of Risk Assessment
A practical risk assessment can be organized into five main
steps:
STEP 1
IDENTIFY HAZARDS
↓
STEP 2
IDENTIFY WHO / WHAT CAN BE HARMED
↓
STEP 3
ASSESS THE RISK
↓
STEP 4
IMPLEMENT CONTROLS
↓
STEP 5
REVIEW & IMPROVE
Step 1 — Identify Hazards
Look at:
๐ท PEOPLE
⚙️ EQUIPMENT
๐ฆ MATERIALS
๐ PROCESSES
๐ญ WORKPLACE
๐ VEHICLES
๐งช CHEMICALS
๐ฑ ENVIRONMENT
Step 2 — Identify Who Can Be Harmed
Consider:
๐ท Employees
๐จ๐ง Maintenance
workers
๐ Drivers
๐️ Contractors
๐ค Visitors
๐ฅ Other workers
Also consider people who may be more vulnerable because of
their circumstances, experience, or work conditions.
Step 3 — Assess the Risk
Consider:
LIKELIHOOD
×
SEVERITY
=
RISK LEVEL
Step 4 — Implement Controls
Select appropriate controls to eliminate or reduce the risk.
Step 5 — Review
Review the assessment when conditions change, after
incidents, or when controls are found to be ineffective.
6. Risk Assessment Flowchart
๐ Copyable Professional
Flowchart
[START]
↓
[DEFINE TASK / AREA]
↓
[IDENTIFY HAZARDS]
↓
[WHO / WHAT CAN BE HARMED?]
↓
[IDENTIFY EXISTING CONTROLS]
↓
[ASSESS LIKELIHOOD]
↓
[ASSESS SEVERITY]
↓
[DETERMINE RISK LEVEL]
↓
[IS RISK ACCEPTABLE?]
├── YES → [MONITOR & REVIEW]
│ ↓
│ [END]
│
└── NO
↓
[SELECT ADDITIONAL
CONTROLS]
↓
[IMPLEMENT
CONTROLS]
↓
[REASSESS RISK]
↓
[VERIFY
EFFECTIVENESS]
↓
[MONITOR]
↓
[REVIEW &
IMPROVE]
↓
[END]
7. Likelihood and Severity
Two important factors commonly used in risk assessment are:
Likelihood
How likely is the harmful event to happen?
1 = Rare
2 = Unlikely
3 = Possible
4 = Likely
5 = Almost Certain
Severity
How serious could the consequence be?
1 = Minor
2 = Moderate
3 = Serious
4 = Major
5 = Catastrophic
8. Simple Risk Rating
A simple risk rating can be calculated as:
RISK SCORE = LIKELIHOOD × SEVERITY
Example:
Likelihood = 4
Severity = 4
Risk Score = 4 × 4
= 16
A company should define its own risk-rating criteria and
acceptance levels based on its activities and risk management system.
Example Rating Scale
|
Score |
Example Level |
Typical Action |
|
1–4 |
Low |
Maintain controls and monitor |
|
5–9 |
Moderate |
Improve controls where appropriate |
|
10–16 |
High |
Take action to reduce risk |
|
17–25 |
Critical |
Do not proceed until risk is adequately controlled |
Important: This is a simple training example.
Organizations should establish and approve their own risk matrix and criteria.
9. Risk Matrix
Copyable 5 × 5 Example
SEVERITY
1 2
3 4 5
+----+----+----+----+----+
L 1 |
1 | 2 | 3 | 4
| 5 |
I 2 |
2 | 4 | 6 | 8
| 10 |
K 3 |
3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
E 4 |
4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
L 5 |
5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
+----+----+----+----+----+
RISK SCORE = LIKELIHOOD × SEVERITY
Interpretation
1–4 = LOW
5–9 = MODERATE
10–16 = HIGH
17–25 = CRITICAL
10. Example — Manual Handling Risk Assessment
Situation
An employee repeatedly lifts heavy cartons from floor level.
[HEAVY CARTONS]
+
[REPETITIVE LIFTING]
+
[AWKWARD POSTURE]
↓
[MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURY RISK]
Assessment
LIKELIHOOD = 4
SEVERITY = 3
RISK SCORE = 4 × 3
= 12
Example rating: HIGH
Possible Controls
[ELIMINATE / REDUCE MANUAL LIFTING]
↓
[USE MECHANICAL ASSISTANCE]
↓
[IMPROVE STORAGE HEIGHT]
↓
[REDUCE LOAD WEIGHT]
↓
[TRAIN EMPLOYEES]
↓
[MONITOR WORK PRACTICE]
11. Example — Forklift and Pedestrian Risk
Hazard
๐ FORKLIFT
+
๐ถ PEDESTRIAN
+
❌ NO CLEAR SEPARATION
Potential Consequence
COLLISION
↓
SERIOUS INJURY
↓
POSSIBLE FATALITY
↓
BUSINESS INTERRUPTION
Control Flow
[IDENTIFY RISK]
↓
[SEPARATE TRAFFIC]
↓
[MARK WALKWAYS]
↓
[INSTALL SIGNS / BARRIERS]
↓
[CONTROL SPEED]
↓
[TRAIN OPERATORS & PEDESTRIANS]
↓
[MONITOR]
↓
[REVIEW]
12. Hierarchy of Controls
Risk controls should be selected systematically.
MOST EFFECTIVE
↓
1. [ELIMINATION]
↓
2. [SUBSTITUTION]
↓
3. [ENGINEERING CONTROLS]
↓
4. [ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS]
↓
5. [PPE]
↓
LEAST EFFECTIVE
1. Elimination
Remove the hazard completely.
2. Substitution
Replace the hazard with something less hazardous.
3. Engineering Controls
Separate people from the hazard through physical or
technical controls.
4. Administrative Controls
Use procedures, training, schedules, signs, and supervision.
5. PPE
Protect the worker through appropriate personal protective
equipment.
Key Principle
Do not automatically choose PPE as the first solution.
First consider whether the hazard can be eliminated or controlled closer to its
source.
13. Risk Control Flow
[IDENTIFY HAZARD]
↓
[ASSESS RISK]
↓
[CAN HAZARD BE ELIMINATED?]
├── YES → [ELIMINATE]
│ ↓
│ [VERIFY]
│
└── NO
↓
[CAN IT BE
SUBSTITUTED?]
├── YES → [SUBSTITUTE]
│
└── NO
↓
[ENGINEERING CONTROL]
↓
[ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL]
↓
[PPE]
↓
[VERIFY]
↓
[REASSESS]
14. Existing Controls vs Additional Controls
When conducting an assessment, do not assume that existing
controls are automatically effective.
Ask:
[WHAT CONTROLS ALREADY EXIST?]
↓
[ARE THEY ACTUALLY USED?]
↓
[ARE THEY EFFECTIVE?]
↓
[IS MORE CONTROL NEEDED?]
Example
HAZARD:
Forklift and pedestrian interaction
Existing Control:
Warning signs
Question:
Are warning signs alone sufficient?
If NO:
↓
Add:
Physical separation
+ Marked walkways
+ Traffic rules
+ Speed control
+ Training
15. Who Should Participate in Risk Assessment?
Risk assessment should involve people who understand the
work.
MANAGEMENT
+
HSE TEAM
+
SUPERVISOR
+
EMPLOYEES
+
TECHNICAL / MAINTENANCE TEAM
↓
BETTER RISK ASSESSMENT
Why Employee Participation Matters
Employees often understand:
- Real
working conditions.
- Practical
difficulties.
- Unsafe
shortcuts.
- Equipment
problems.
- Temporary
hazards.
- Tasks
that may not be obvious during an inspection.
People doing the work can provide valuable information
about the real risks of the job.
16. When Should Risk Assessments Be Reviewed?
Risk assessment should be reviewed periodically and whenever
significant changes occur.
[NEW EQUIPMENT]
↓
[NEW PROCESS]
↓
[NEW CHEMICAL]
↓
[LAYOUT CHANGE]
↓
[NEW WORK ACTIVITY]
↓
[INCIDENT / NEAR MISS]
↓
[CONTROL FAILURE]
↓
[CHANGE IN CONDITIONS]
↓
[REVIEW RISK ASSESSMENT]
17. Risk Assessment Documentation
A risk assessment should provide enough information to
demonstrate:
WHAT IS THE HAZARD?
↓
WHO / WHAT CAN BE AFFECTED?
↓
WHAT IS THE RISK?
↓
WHAT CONTROLS EXIST?
↓
WHAT ADDITIONAL CONTROLS ARE REQUIRED?
↓
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?
↓
WHEN MUST IT BE COMPLETED?
↓
HAS IT BEEN VERIFIED?
Simple Copyable Template
RISK ASSESSMENT
Activity:
____________________________
Location:
____________________________
Hazard:
____________________________
Who / What Can Be Harmed:
____________________________
Potential Consequence:
____________________________
Existing Controls:
____________________________
Likelihood:
____________________________
Severity:
____________________________
Risk Score:
____________________________
Additional Controls:
____________________________
Responsible Person:
____________________________
Target Date:
____________________________
Status:
[ ] OPEN
[ ] IN PROGRESS
[ ] COMPLETED
[ ] VERIFIED
Review Date:
____________________________
18. Common Risk Assessment Mistakes
❌ Identifying hazards but not
assessing risk
❌ Using the same risk score for
every activity
❌ Ignoring employees' input
❌ Focusing only on obvious
hazards
❌ Treating PPE as the only
control
❌ Not considering non-routine
work
❌ Not considering contractors and
visitors
❌ Failing to implement
recommended controls
❌ Not checking whether controls
are effective
❌ Never reviewing the assessment
Dangerous Mindset
“We already completed the risk assessment, so we don't
need to look at it again.”
Risk assessments should reflect current workplace
conditions.
19. Risk Assessment for Non-Routine Work
Some of the highest risks can occur during unusual or
infrequent activities.
Examples:
๐ง Maintenance
๐งน Deep Cleaning
๐️ Construction
⚡ Electrical Work
๐ช Work at Height
๐จ Emergency Response
๐ฆ Warehouse Relocation
๐ ️ Equipment Repair
Non-Routine Work Flow
[PLAN TASK]
↓
[IDENTIFY HAZARDS]
↓
[ASSESS RISK]
↓
[DEFINE CONTROLS]
↓
[AUTHORIZE WORK]
↓
[START WORK]
↓
[MONITOR]
↓
[COMPLETE]
↓
[REVIEW]
20. Risk Assessment Symbols
These symbols are designed for easy Copy & Paste
into your Book, PowerPoint, SOP, and Facebook posts.
|
Symbol |
Copyable Text |
Meaning |
|
๐ฆบ |
[HSE] |
HSE |
|
⚠️ |
[HAZARD] |
Hazard |
|
๐ |
[IDENTIFY] |
Hazard identification |
|
๐ท |
[PERSON AT RISK] |
Person who may be harmed |
|
๐ฏ |
[CONSEQUENCE] |
Potential consequence |
|
๐ |
[RISK ASSESSMENT] |
Risk assessment |
|
๐ |
[LIKELIHOOD] |
Likelihood |
|
๐ฅ |
[SEVERITY] |
Severity |
|
๐งฎ |
[RISK SCORE] |
Risk score |
|
๐ก️ |
[CONTROL] |
Risk control |
|
๐ซ |
[ELIMINATE] |
Elimination |
|
๐ |
[SUBSTITUTE] |
Substitution |
|
๐️ |
[ENGINEERING CONTROL] |
Engineering control |
|
๐ |
[ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL] |
Administrative control |
|
๐ฅฝ |
[PPE] |
Personal protective equipment |
|
๐ฅ |
[PARTICIPATION] |
Employee participation |
|
๐ข |
[REPORT] |
Report |
|
๐ |
[VERIFY] |
Verify effectiveness |
|
๐ |
[REVIEW] |
Review |
|
✅ |
[CONTROLLED] |
Controlled / acceptable |
|
❌ |
[NOT CONTROLLED] |
Not adequately controlled |
|
๐ |
[END] |
End |
21. Daily Risk Assessment — Simple Questions
Before starting work, ask:
๐ STOP
1. ⚠️ WHAT CAN HURT ME?
2. ๐ท WHO ELSE COULD BE
HARMED?
3. ๐ฅ WHAT COULD HAPPEN?
4. ๐ HOW LIKELY IS IT?
5. ๐ฏ HOW SERIOUS COULD IT
BE?
6. ๐ก️ WHAT CONTROLS ARE IN
PLACE?
7. ๐ง DO WE NEED MORE
CONTROLS?
8. ๐ ARE THE CONTROLS
EFFECTIVE?
9. ๐ข WHO NEEDS TO KNOW?
10. ▶️ IS IT SAFE TO START?
22. Practical Case Study — Damaged Rack
Situation
A warehouse rack upright has visible damage after being
struck by a forklift.
๐ FORKLIFT IMPACT
↓
๐️ RACK DAMAGE
↓
๐ฆ LOAD INSTABILITY
↓
⬇️ FALLING LOAD
↓
๐ท INJURY / ๐ฆ
PRODUCT DAMAGE
Risk Assessment
HAZARD
→ Damaged storage rack
WHO CAN BE HARMED?
→ Employees / contractors
POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCE
→ Falling load / serious injury
RISK
→ High potential risk
Immediate Control
[IDENTIFY DAMAGE]
↓
[STOP USING AFFECTED AREA]
↓
[ISOLATE / BARRICADE AREA]
↓
[REPORT]
↓
[COMPETENT INSPECTION]
↓
[REPAIR / REPLACE]
↓
[VERIFY SAFE CONDITION]
↓
[RETURN TO SERVICE]
Lesson Learned
A damaged rack is not simply a maintenance issue. It is a
potential life-safety hazard that requires immediate risk control.
23. HSE Risk Assessment Improvement Cycle
[IDENTIFY]
↓
[ASSESS]
↓
[CONTROL]
↓
[IMPLEMENT]
↓
[VERIFY]
↓
[MONITOR]
↓
[REVIEW]
↓
[IMPROVE]
↓
[REASSESS]
↓
[CONTINUE]
This creates a continuous process rather than a one-time
exercise.
24. Key Takeaways
RISK ASSESSMENT
↓
IDENTIFY HAZARDS
↓
IDENTIFY WHO CAN BE HARMED
↓
ASSESS LIKELIHOOD
↓
ASSESS SEVERITY
↓
DETERMINE RISK
↓
SELECT CONTROLS
↓
IMPLEMENT
↓
VERIFY
↓
MONITOR
↓
REVIEW & IMPROVE
๐ฆบ Remember:
“Risk assessment is not about predicting the future. It
is about identifying what could go wrong and taking reasonable action before
harm occurs.”
Another Key Principle:
“Identify the hazard. Assess the risk. Control the risk.
Verify the control.”
๐ฏ Lesson 07 — Quick Quiz
Q1. What is Risk Assessment?
A. Waiting for an accident
B. A systematic process to identify hazards, evaluate risks, and determine
controls
C. PPE inspection only
D. Accident reporting only
Answer: B
Q2. How can a simple risk score be calculated?
A. Likelihood + Severity
B. Likelihood × Severity
C. Severity ÷ Likelihood
D. Hazard × PPE
Answer: B
Q3. What should happen after identifying a high-risk
hazard?
A. Ignore it
B. Continue work normally
C. Implement appropriate controls and reassess the risk
D. Wait for an incident
Answer: C
Q4. Which control is generally highest in the hierarchy?
A. PPE
B. Administrative Control
C. Elimination
D. Warning Sign
Answer: C
Q5. When should a risk assessment be reviewed?
A. Never
B. Only after five years
C. When significant changes, incidents, or control failures occur, and
periodically as required
D. Only when an auditor asks
Answer: C
๐ฑ Facebook / LinkedIn
Professional Summary
๐ฆบ HSE Lesson 07 — Risk
Assessment
RISK ASSESSMENT IS NOT JUST PAPERWORK.
It is a process:
⚠️ IDENTIFY THE HAZARD
↓
๐ท IDENTIFY WHO CAN BE
HARMED
↓
๐ ASSESS THE RISK
↓
๐ก️ CONTROL THE RISK
↓
๐ VERIFY
↓
๐ REVIEW & IMPROVE
The simple formula:
RISK SCORE = LIKELIHOOD × SEVERITY
But remember:
“A risk assessment is only effective when the identified
controls are actually implemented and verified.”
๐ฆบ Safety Principle
Identify it → Assess it → Control it → Verify it →
Prevent it.
