How do you assess risk levels?

Risk levels are categorized in a numbered format. Each hazard is given a rating and this is multiplied by the probability that these hazards will occur, as shown in the following equation.

Risk level = Hazard severity x Likelihood of occurrence

Step One

Give each hazard a severity marking as indicated in the table below:

Risk Level																				Effect of hazard
5																				Fatal injury
4																				Permanent disabling injury
3																				Disabling injury
2																				Injury causing time off work
1																				First aid only

For example:

If slipping on the stairs (hazard), could result in death or disablement, then it must be given a rating of 4 or 5.

Step Two

The next step is to consider how often each hazard is likely to occur as indicated in the table below

Risk Level																				Likelihood of occurrence
5																				Certain
4																				Near certain
3																				Very likely
2																				Frequent
1																				Seldom

For example:

If slipping on the stairs (hazard), was very likely to happen, then it must be given a rating of 3.

Step Three

Multiply the two scores together and you will get the risk level. This figure should be entered into the risk assessment form.

For example:

5 (hazard) multiplied by 3 (occurrence) = 15

Step Four

The following bullet points are guidelines to help you gauge how quickly you need to put the controls in place, so dates will vary from office to office.

• Where any hazard is given a risk ranking of 22-25 then action must be taken immediately to reduce that risk.
• Where any hazard is given a risk ranking of 16-22 then the line manager must be informed before the end of that working day.
• Where any hazard is given a risk ranking of between 1 and 15, then action needs to be taken at the earliest opportunity, as soon as it is reasonably practicable to do so, taking into account local circumstances.

Employers must ensure that risks are reduced to the lowest extent reasonably practicable.

The legal definition of 'reasonably practicable' is 'any measure which can be reasonably carried out having regard to technical knowledge and acceptable expense'.

Administration

The Risk Assessor should retain completed Risk Assessment Forms and a copy must be held on site.

Risk Assessments must be made available to all relevant personnel and they must be kept up to date.

Additional checklists of information are available at the back of this document and should be used as a guideline to help you complete some aspects of the form. If appropriate to do so, please add your own categories in order to ensure that local requirements are being met.

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