5 Basic Steps to Complete a Risk Assessment:
1 . Identifying the hazards in the workplace(s) under your control - can use a checklist to assist.
2. Decide who might be at risk and how.
4. Record your findings and implement the control measures to reduce the risk of these hazards causing harm.
5. Review your assessment & update if necessary.
Hazard Definition
‘Hazard’ is defined as the potential to cause harm, while ‘risk’ is defined as the potential of the hazard to cause harm under the actual circumstances of use. The assessment of risk from the hazards identified is based on the linkage of the probability of occurrence with the severity of injury or material loss (the hazard effect) resultant from that occurrence.
Assessing the Risks Using a Risk Matrix
The risk assessment matrix below is used to calculate the risk posed by any hazard by linking the probability of an adverse occurrence with the severity of injury or material loss (the hazard effect) resultant from that occurrence.

Image 1: Simple 3x3 risk matrix example
Risk Rating = Probability x Severity
Probability is determined based on an assessment on how likely it is that an adverse event related to the hazard concerned will occur. Probabilities are graded as:
- Unlikely: the adverse event being considered will occur only rarely.
- Likely: the adverse event being considered will occur on a frequent basis
- Highly Likely: the adverse event being considered is almost certain to occur
Severity is based on the degree of personal injury or damage to property likely to occur in the event that the adverse event occurs. Severity of outcome is graded as:
- Slightly Harmful: e.g. superficial injuries; minor cuts and bruises; nuisance and irritation; temporary discomfort; minor infection; minor material damage.
- Harmful: e.g. lacerations; burns; concussion; sprains; minor fractures; dermatitis (temporary); asthma (temporary); long term discomfort; infection requiring medical treatment; significant material damage.
- Extremely Harmful: e.g. fatality; amputation; major fracture; severe poisoning; cancer; life shortening condition / disease; deafness; head injuries; eye injuries; substantial material damage.
Risk Rating
- Trivial Risk: No further action required.
- Acceptable Risk: No additional risk control / reduction measures required
- Moderate Risk: Further risk control / reduction measures should be considered and implemented were possible. Hazards graded as Moderate Risk must be closely managed.
- Substantial Risk: Further risk control / reduction measures must be identified. If the risk cannot be reduced further then the hazard must be strictly managed and the frequency and duration of the hazard must be reduced to as low a level as practicable along with the number of persons exposed to the hazard.
- Intolerable Risk: All work involving this hazard is prohibited.
Risk Control/ Reduction Methods
The aim of any risk control/reduction measures identified and implemented are to reduce the residual risk from the hazard to as low a level as is reasonably practicable.