Overview

The process of risk assessments is to document identified risks and the control measures to manage these risks. A key success to a risk assessment is to engage employees and individuals that may be affected by that activity or process. Reviewing and managing your risk assessments is a key element to keeping safe in the workplace, especially following an incident or where a process has highlighted new, unforeseen risks.

Risk assessment is about identifying practical solutions that protect people from ‘real risks’ and includes regular checks to ensure that these solutions are being implemented.

Key terms

The likelihood (risk) is the chance that somebody could be harmed by a hazard, and you choose a rating associated to how likely you think this will happen. The severity outlines the magnitude of harm that someone could suffer by a hazard.

Then, the hazard’s risk rating is a multiplication using the scores identified from the likelihood and severity of harm from an individual hazard.

Once you have the numbers multiplied together you can give the hazard an overall risk rating. On EEC, the risk ratings are as follows:

Below 9 = Low Risk
9 to 14 = Medium Risk
15 or above = High Risk

Note, these ratings are a subjective particularly when completing a risk assessment in isolation as it is inherently based on one person’s risk perception. Working collaboratively with others, you could find they choose different risk rating figures as everyone perceives risk differently. Checking your risk assessments against the Program for risk assessment in the Burgundy Pack should be done regularly as the assessments listed cover the areas of greatest risk exposure. It is also important to delete old assessments that are no longer required, e.g. a pupil that has left the school or a trip location that is no longer used.

Likelihood and Severity Indicators

Likelihood of occurrence & Indicator:

1.Remote – Slight or very small chance
2.Unlikely – Infrequent or exceptional
3.Possible – Not likely to occur or have occurred
4.Likely – Capable of happening or occurring
5.Probable – An incident is likely to occur or evidence of previous incidents

Severity & Injury type :

1.Insignificant – A very minor injury that requires no treatment
2.Minor – A minor injury that may require some first aid
3.Moderate – An injury that may require additional treatment or absence from work
4.Serious – An injury e.g. burn/fracture that requires hospital or specialist medical treatment
5.Catastrophic – An injury that results in life changing or death

Learn more:

EEC Webinar recording
Why is it important to report accidents, incidents, acts of violence and near misses on EEC?
EEC log in
Burgundy Pack – Program for risk assessment