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Welcome to the Risk Assessment
and Control web page | Risk Assessment
Forms | Risk Rating Tables |
Hierarchy of risk controls | The UNSW risk assessment
method is a combination of the probabilty and the consequence of an event. The
following tables allow a risk rating to be determined. If a risk rating for an
event is determined as Extreme then additional risk controls need to be implemented.
The Risk Assessment and Control form:
The University of New South Wales uses a single risk assessment and control form
for all tasks, processes, workplace substances, etc. The form is available here.
UNSW Risk Rating Tables Table 1 Consequence
| Level |
Descriptor |
Examples
of Description | |
1 | Insignificant | Injuries
not requiring first aid. | |
2 | Minor | First
aid required only. | | 3 | Moderate | Medical
treatment required. | | 4 | Major | Hospital
admission required. | | 5 | Severe | Death
or permanent disability to one or more persons. |
Table 2 Likelihood
| Level |
Descriptor |
Examples
of Description | | A | Almost
certain | The
event is expected to occur in most circumstances, eg common or repetitive occurrence
at UNSW. | | B | Likely | The
event will probably occur in most circumstances, eg known history of occurrence
at UNSW. | | C | Possible | The
event could occur at some time, eg history of single occurrence at UNSW. |
| D | Unlikely | The
event is not likely to occur in normal circumstances. | |
E | Rare | The
event may occur only in exceptional circumstances. |
Table 3 Risk Rating
| Likelihood |
Consequence |
| Insignificant |
Minor |
Moderate |
Major |
Severe |
| Almost
certain | M |
H |
H |
VH |
VH |
| Likely |
M |
M |
H |
H |
VH |
| Possible |
L |
M |
H |
H |
VH |
| Unlikely |
L |
L |
M |
M |
H |
| Rare |
L |
L |
M |
M |
M |
Hierarchy of Risk Controls The risks must be minimised to the
lowest reasonably practicable level by taking the following measures in the following
order and as determined by the risk assessment.
| Elimination | The
job is redesigned so as to remove the hazard. However, the alternative method
should not lead to a less acceptable product or less effective process. |
| Substitution | Replace
the material or process with a less hazardous one. For example, replace mercury
thermometers with spirit thermometers. | | Engineering
controls | Instal
or using additional machinery such as local exhaust ventilation to control the
risk. Separating the hazard from operators by methods such as enclosing or guarding
dangerous items of machinery. For example, use guards on compression testing machines. |
| Administrative
controls | Reduce
the time the worker is exposed to the hazard. Prohibit the eating, drinking and
smoking in laboratory areas. Provide training. Perform risk assessments. Increase
safety awareness signage. | | Personal
Protective Equipment | Only
after all the previous measures have been tried and found to be ineffective in
controlling the risks should Personal Protective Equipment be considered.If chosen,
PPE should be selected and fitted to the person who uses it. Workers must be trained
in the function and limitation of each item of PPE. For example, an operator should
know how long the compressed supply in a self contained breathing apparatus will
last. PPE may be used as a temporary control measure until other alternatives
are installed. In most cases a combination of engineering controls, administrative
controls and PPE are chosen to effectively control the risks. |
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