Risk Assessment And Control Measures
Expert-defined terms from the Professional Certificate in Health and Safety Compliance course at LearnUNI. Free to read, free to share, paired with a professional course.
Accident – an unplanned event that results in injury, illness or damage #
Related terms: incident, near miss. An accident may involve a slip, trip or fall on a construction site, leading to a broken wrist. Practical application: recording accidents in an incident log helps identify patterns for preventive action. Challenges include under‑reporting due to fear of blame and distinguishing between a true accident and a minor injury that could be classified as a “first‑aid case”.
Administrative Control – a non‑physical measure that modifies how work is… #
Related terms: procedures, training. Examples include rotating staff to limit exposure to repetitive‑strain tasks, or implementing a permit‑to‑work system for confined space entry. In practice, administrative controls are often the first line of defence when engineering solutions are not feasible. Their main challenge is reliance on human behaviour; compliance can wane without regular monitoring and reinforcement.
Aerial Risk – hazards associated with work performed at height, such as o… #
Related terms: fall protection, working at height. A common example is a maintenance crew using a mobile scaffold to replace roof‑mounted HVAC units. Control measures include guardrails, safety nets and personal fall arrest systems. The difficulty lies in ensuring equipment is inspected regularly and that all workers are competent in the use of harnesses and rescue procedures.
Asbestos Management – systematic processes to identify, assess, control a… #
Related terms: COSHH, air monitoring. A building with legacy pipe insulation may require a survey to locate asbestos, followed by sealed enclosure or removal by licensed contractors. Practical steps include maintaining an asbestos register and providing workers with awareness training. Challenges are the high cost of removal, the need for specialist disposal, and maintaining compliance during renovation projects where asbestos may be inadvertently disturbed.
Baseline Assessment – the initial evaluation of existing conditions again… #
Related terms: benchmarking, gap analysis. For a new manufacturing plant, a baseline assessment might record current noise levels, ventilation performance and incident rates before any control measures are introduced. This data provides a reference point for measuring the effectiveness of interventions. The main obstacle is obtaining accurate, representative data early in a project, especially when resources are limited.
Biological Hazard – any biological agent that can cause illness, such as… #
Related terms: infectious disease, bio‑risk. Healthcare workers handling blood samples are exposed to potential hepatitis or HIV transmission. Control strategies include vaccination, use of disposable gloves, and proper waste segregation. Practical implementation requires regular health surveillance and clear protocols for exposure incidents. Challenges include emerging pathogens, variable incubation periods and ensuring consistent compliance with hygiene practices.
Chemical Hazard – substances that can cause harm through toxicity, corros… #
Related terms: hazardous substance, SDS. A laboratory storing concentrated acids must label containers, provide secondary containment and train staff in spill response. Practical application involves conducting a chemical inventory, classifying hazards, and implementing control measures such as fume hoods. Difficulties arise from the sheer number of chemicals, changing regulations and the need for continual refresher training.
Control Measure – any action taken to eliminate or reduce a risk to an ac… #
Related terms: mitigation, preventive action. Installing a machine guard to prevent contact with moving parts is a classic control measure. In practice, controls are selected using the hierarchy of controls, prioritising elimination before reliance on personal protective equipment. The challenge is balancing cost, practicality and effectiveness, especially when multiple hazards coexist.
COSHH – abbreviation for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health … #
Related terms: risk assessment, exposure limit. Under COSHH, an employer must assess the risks of a solvent, implement suitable controls and provide health surveillance where needed. Practical steps include preparing a COSHH assessment, maintaining an up‑to‑date register and training staff on safe handling. Challenges include keeping assessments current when new substances are introduced and interpreting complex occupational exposure limits.
Critical Incident – a serious event that results in death, serious injury… #
Related terms: major accident, reportable event. A plant explosion that destroys equipment and injures workers qualifies as a critical incident. Immediate response involves emergency services activation, incident command and post‑incident investigation. Practically, organisations develop critical incident plans that outline communication protocols and media handling. The difficulty lies in rapid decision‑making under pressure and ensuring that lessons learned are integrated into future risk assessments.
Dangerous Occurrence – a specified incident that, while not resulting in… #
Related terms: near miss, reportable occurrence. An uncontrolled release of a pressurised gas that does not cause injury but damages equipment is a dangerous occurrence. Reporting such events enables trend analysis and preventive action. In practice, a simple online form may capture details, but the challenge is motivating staff to report incidents that seem “harmless” at the time.
Emergency Response Plan – a documented strategy for dealing with emergenc… #
Related terms: contingency plan, evacuation procedure. A warehouse may have an emergency response plan that designates assembly points, fire‑warden responsibilities and communication chains. Practical application includes regular drills, clear signage and ensuring all personnel know their roles. Common challenges are maintaining plan relevance as the site layout changes and achieving full participation during training exercises.
Ergonomic Hazard – workplace conditions that can cause musculoskeletal di… #
Related terms: manual handling, work‑station design. An office worker experiencing neck pain from an incorrectly positioned monitor illustrates an ergonomic hazard. Controls include adjustable chairs, keyboard trays and job rotation. Practically, ergonomics assessments are conducted using checklists and employee feedback. The main obstacle is balancing productivity demands with the time required for workstation adjustments.
Exposure Limit – a legally defined maximum concentration of a hazardous s… #
Related terms: TLV, OEL. The occupational exposure limit for benzene may be set at 1 ppm over an 8‑hour shift. In practice, air monitoring devices are used to verify compliance, and ventilation systems are adjusted accordingly. Challenges include variability in individual susceptibility, the need for accurate sampling techniques and staying current with revised limits.
Fire Risk Assessment – a systematic evaluation of fire hazards, existing… #
Related terms: fire safety, risk register. Assessing a laboratory involves identifying flammable chemicals, evaluating storage arrangements and checking fire‑extinguishing equipment. Practical steps include documenting findings, assigning risk scores and implementing corrective actions such as installing automatic sprinklers. The challenge is maintaining the assessment in dynamic environments where equipment and processes change frequently.
Hierarchy of Controls – a structured approach for selecting control measu… #
Related terms: elimination, engineering control. The hierarchy begins with elimination, then substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls and finally personal protective equipment. For example, replacing a noisy machine with a quieter model (substitution) is preferred over providing earplugs (PPE). In practice, safety professionals use the hierarchy to justify control choices. The difficulty lies in finding feasible elimination options when the hazard is integral to the process.
Hazard – a source or situation with potential to cause harm #
Related terms: risk, danger. An uncovered sharp edge on a metal sheet is a hazard that could cause cuts. Identifying hazards is the first step in risk assessment, often performed through walk‑through inspections or job‑specific checklists. Practical application includes tagging hazards, communicating them to workers and prioritising control actions. Challenges include hidden hazards, such as electromagnetic fields, that are not immediately visible.
Hazard Identification – the process of locating, recognising and recordin… #
Related terms: risk assessment, inspection. Techniques include safety audits, employee questionnaires and reviewing incident records. A practical example is using a hazard‑identification worksheet to capture slips, trips and falls in a warehouse aisle. The main challenge is ensuring comprehensive coverage, especially for low‑probability but high‑consequence hazards.
Incident Investigation – a systematic inquiry into the causes of an incid… #
Related terms: root cause analysis, corrective action. After a forklift collision, an investigation may reveal inadequate traffic routes and insufficient training. Practical steps involve gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses and developing an incident report with recommendations. Challenges include time pressure, potential bias and ensuring that findings translate into effective control measures.
Job Safety Analysis – a step‑by‑step review of a specific job to identify… #
Related terms: JSA, task breakdown. Conducting a JSA for welding includes examining fire risk, fumes and eye protection needs. In practice, workers participate in the analysis to capture practical insights. The difficulty is maintaining JSA relevance as procedures evolve and avoiding the perception that JSA is a paperwork exercise rather than a safety tool.
Manual Handling – any activity that involves lifting, lowering, pushing,… #
Related terms: ergonomic hazard, lifting technique. An example is a warehouse worker moving boxes weighing 20 kg. Controls include mechanical aids, training on safe lifting and redesigning the workflow to reduce load weight. In practice, manual handling risk assessments are required for tasks exceeding set weight thresholds. The challenge is that workers may still attempt to lift heavy items despite training, especially under production pressure.
Near Miss – an unplanned event that could have resulted in injury, illnes… #
Related terms: dangerous occurrence, reportable event. A worker narrowly avoiding a falling object by stepping aside is a near miss. Recording near misses helps identify trends before accidents occur. Practical application includes a simple reporting form and regular review meetings. The main obstacle is encouraging a culture where employees feel comfortable reporting near misses without fear of reprimand.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – equipment worn to minimise exposure… #
Related terms: protective clothing, respirator. Examples include safety helmets, steel‑toe boots and chemical‑resistant gloves. In practice, PPE selection follows a risk assessment, and workers receive training on correct use and maintenance. Challenges involve ensuring consistent use, preventing complacency and addressing comfort issues that may lead to non‑compliance.
Risk – the combination of likelihood and severity of harm from a hazard #
Related terms: risk assessment, risk matrix. A risk of “high” may be assigned to a chemical spill that could cause severe burns and is likely to occur if containment is poor. Practical use includes documenting risk scores, prioritising control actions and reviewing risks periodically. The difficulty lies in quantifying both likelihood and severity in a consistent manner across diverse hazards.
Risk Appetite – the level of risk an organisation is willing to accept in… #
Related terms: tolerance, risk policy. A construction firm may accept low‑level ergonomic risks to maintain productivity but zero tolerance for fatal falls. In practice, risk appetite is expressed in policies and guides decision‑making on control implementation. Challenges include aligning appetite with regulatory requirements and communicating it effectively to all staff levels.
Risk Assessment – a systematic process to identify hazards, evaluate risk… #
Related terms: hazard identification, control measure. Conducting a risk assessment for a chemical lab involves listing substances, assessing exposure routes and selecting controls based on the hierarchy. Practical steps include documentation, review by competent persons and integration into the overall safety management system. Common challenges are ensuring the assessment remains current, avoiding overly generic assessments and engaging workers in the process.
Risk Register – a structured record of identified risks, their assessment… #
Related terms: risk matrix, control plan. A risk register for a manufacturing plant might list “machine guarding failure” with a high severity rating, assigned mitigation, responsible person and target date. Practically, the register is reviewed at management meetings to track progress. Challenges include keeping the register up‑to‑date, avoiding duplication and ensuring that recorded actions are actually implemented.
Risk Matrix – a visual tool that plots likelihood against severity to cat… #
Related terms: risk assessment, risk rating. A 5 × 5 matrix may label risks as low, medium, high or extreme based on their position. In practice, the matrix aids decision‑making on which controls to prioritise. The difficulty is that different organisations may use varied scales, leading to inconsistent risk classification.
Safety Data Sheet (SDS) – a document that provides detailed information o… #
Related terms: SDS, chemical safety. An SDS for acetone will list flammability, first‑aid measures and recommended PPE. In practice, SDSs are stored electronically and made accessible at the point of use. The main challenge is ensuring that the most recent version is always available and that workers understand how to interpret the information.
Safety Net – a secondary control that catches or mitigates the consequenc… #
Related terms: redundancy, fallback. Installing a safety net beneath a scaffold platform provides a last line of defence if a guardrail fails. Practical use includes designing nets to appropriate load ratings and regular inspection. Challenges involve ensuring that reliance on safety nets does not reduce focus on primary controls such as proper guardrail installation.
Safety Signage – visual communication devices that convey hazard warnings… #
Related terms: signage standards, visual cues. A red “Danger – High Voltage” sign warns workers of an exposed electrical panel. In practice, signage must comply with regulatory colour and symbol standards and be positioned at eye level. Challenges include sign fatigue, where workers become desensitised, and maintaining sign visibility in dusty or poorly lit environments.
Severity – the seriousness of the outcome if a hazard causes harm #
Related terms: impact, risk rating. A fatal injury is classified as “catastrophic” severity, while a minor cut is “low”. Severity ratings are used in risk matrices to prioritize actions. Practically, severity is assigned based on historical data and potential health consequences. The challenge is that subjective judgments can lead to inconsistent ratings, especially for emerging health effects.
Site Specific Safety Plan – a tailored document that outlines safety arra… #
Related terms: project safety plan, risk assessment. For a temporary roadwork site, the plan may detail traffic control measures, personal protective equipment requirements and emergency contacts. In practice, the plan is reviewed before work commences and updated when conditions change. Challenges include ensuring all subcontractors understand and follow the plan, and integrating it with corporate safety policies.
Spill Response – procedures for containing, cleaning and reporting accide… #
Related terms: containment, environmental protection. A chemical spill of solvent may require isolating the area, using absorbent pads, and disposing of waste according to regulations. Practical steps involve having spill kits readily available, training staff on their use, and conducting drills. Challenges include rapid escalation of spills, inadequate containment equipment and regulatory compliance for disposal.
Training and Competence – the process of ensuring workers have the knowle… #
Related terms: skill verification, induction. Providing forklift operators with certified training reduces collision risk. In practice, training records are maintained, and competency is verified through assessments or observation. The challenge is keeping training current with evolving equipment, regulations and maintaining engagement among experienced staff who may perceive training as unnecessary.
Vulnerability – the susceptibility of individuals or groups to greater ha… #
Related terms: risk assessment, inclusion. Pregnant workers may be more vulnerable to certain chemical exposures, requiring additional controls. Practical application includes conducting a vulnerability assessment as part of the overall risk assessment and providing tailored accommodations. Challenges involve identifying hidden vulnerabilities, respecting privacy, and ensuring that protective measures do not lead to discrimination.