C. Existing Control Measures

In order to establish the level of risk for each identical hazard it is necessary to calculate the risk rating. To calculate this we look at both the risk of the event occurring and the outcome if it were to occur. Each score is awarded as follows:

Probability

Severity

To calculate the overall risk rating we multiply the potential outcome of any event by the likelihood of it occurring. For example, if an unqualified and inexperienced person was working on live electrical equipment without protection the outcome could be a fatality and so the event would score 5.

In addition the likelihood of an accident happening would be very high and again the score would be 5. The overall risk rating would therefore be 25 and would be a top priority.

If the same job was being undertaken by a competent qualified electrician using log out/tag out controls the event would again score 5, as a fatality could occur if things went wrong, but the likelihood would score 1 because given proper controls it should not occur. The overall risk rating is therefore 5, a much lower priority.

A priority rating score is therefore obtained for each job or each activity as required.

Check the legal requirements are being complied with for example, guarding in place, equipment serviced & maintained, adequate signage etc.

The aim is to eliminate or reduce the risks as small as possible.

To control the remaining risks the following questions must be considered:

• Eliminate the hazard completely?
• Is there a safer alternative?
• Can we control the risks so that harm is unlikely?

The use of protective equipment should only be considered when there is nothing else you can reasonably do.

If the work tends to vary a lot or if staff have to move from one site to another then select those hazards, which you can reasonably, foresee and assess the risks from them. If other staff use your area they must be told about any risks your work could cause them.

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