ASP Risk Assessment and Control 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the difference between a hazard and a risk in safety management?
- There is no difference
- A hazard is a source of potential harm while risk is the likelihood and severity of that harm occurring (Correct answer)
- A hazard is always physical while a risk is always chemical
- A risk must be quantified while a hazard cannot be measured
Correct answer: A hazard is a source of potential harm while risk is the likelihood and severity of that harm occurring
A hazard is anything with potential to cause harm; risk combines probability of exposure with potential severity.
A hazard is any source, situation, or act with the potential for harm. Risk is the combination of likelihood of exposure and severity of consequences. Risk assessment involves identifying hazards and analyzing these combined factors.
Question 2: In a risk matrix, what does the intersection of 'high probability' and 'catastrophic severity' indicate?
- Low risk requiring monitoring only
- Moderate risk requiring standard controls
- Unacceptable risk requiring immediate action (Correct answer)
- Acceptable risk with no action needed
Correct answer: Unacceptable risk requiring immediate action
High probability combined with catastrophic severity represents the highest level of risk, requiring immediate corrective action.
This intersection falls in the extreme or critical risk zone, typically color-coded red. This risk level is unacceptable and requires immediate action such as stopping the activity.
Question 3: What is a Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)?
- A financial analysis of insurance claims
- A systematic method for identifying potential failure modes, their causes, and effects on system performance (Correct answer)
- A technique for measuring employee performance failures
- A method for tracking equipment maintenance schedules
Correct answer: A systematic method for identifying potential failure modes, their causes, and effects on system performance
FMEA is a structured approach to identifying all possible ways a system could fail and analyzing the effects of each failure mode.
FMEA assigns ratings for severity, occurrence probability, and detectability. These are multiplied to calculate a Risk Priority Number (RPN) that helps prioritize corrective actions.
Question 4: What is the ALARP principle in risk management?
- All Losses Are Readily Prevented
- As Low As Reasonably Practicable - reducing risk until further reduction is impractical relative to the benefit (Correct answer)
- All Levels of Acceptable Risk Protection
- Average Likelihood And Risk Probability
Correct answer: As Low As Reasonably Practicable - reducing risk until further reduction is impractical relative to the benefit
ALARP means reducing risks to a level where the cost of further reduction would be grossly disproportionate to the benefit gained.
The ALARP principle establishes that risks should be reduced to where further reduction cost would be grossly disproportionate to the benefit. The ALARP region sits between unacceptable and broadly acceptable risk levels.
Question 5: Which risk assessment technique uses structured 'what-if' questions to identify hazards in process operations?
- Fault tree analysis
- What-If/Checklist analysis (Correct answer)
- Bow-tie analysis
- Monte Carlo simulation
Correct answer: What-If/Checklist analysis
What-If/Checklist analysis combines brainstorming 'what if' questions with structured checklists to identify process hazards.
What-If/Checklist analysis is a qualitative PHA technique recognized by OSHA's PSM standard. A multidisciplinary team asks 'what if' questions about process deviations, then reviews a checklist to ensure completeness.
Question 6: What is residual risk?
- Risk that has been completely eliminated
- The level of risk remaining after control measures have been implemented (Correct answer)
- Risk that only affects temporary workers
- The initial risk before any assessment
Correct answer: The level of risk remaining after control measures have been implemented
Residual risk is the risk remaining after all identified control measures have been applied.
Since no control measure can eliminate risk entirely, there will always be residual risk. Organizations must evaluate it against their risk acceptance criteria to determine if it is acceptable.
ASP Risk Assessment and Control 2
What is the difference between a hazard and a risk in safety management?