IOSH Assessing Risks 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'likelihood' mean in the context of risk assessment?
- The cost of an accident
- The probability or chance that harm will occur (Correct answer)
- The number of people exposed to a hazard
- The type of injury that could result
Correct answer: The probability or chance that harm will occur
Likelihood refers to the probability or chance that a hazard will actually result in harm. Factors affecting likelihood include frequency of exposure, effectiveness of existing controls, and the nature of the hazard.
Question 2: What does 'severity' mean in the context of risk assessment?
- How often an accident occurs
- The potential consequence or seriousness of the harm that could result (Correct answer)
- The number of hazards identified
- How quickly a control measure can be implemented
Correct answer: The potential consequence or seriousness of the harm that could result
Severity refers to the potential consequence or seriousness of harm that could result from a hazard. It ranges from minor (small bruise, scratch) to catastrophic (death, permanent disability).
Question 3: Which groups of people must be specifically considered in a risk assessment?
- Only full-time permanent employees
- All who might be affected, including visitors, contractors, young workers, new/expectant mothers and people with disabilities (Correct answer)
- Only those in high-risk job roles
- Only workers who have had previous accidents
Correct answer: All who might be affected, including visitors, contractors, young workers, new/expectant mothers and people with disabilities
Risk assessments must consider all who might be affected by the work activity, including employees, contractors, visitors, members of the public, and particularly vulnerable groups such as young workers, new or expectant mothers, and disabled workers.
Question 4: How often should a risk assessment be reviewed?
- Only when an accident occurs
- Every ten years
- Regularly, and whenever there are significant changes or new information (Correct answer)
- Only when requested by the HSE
Correct answer: Regularly, and whenever there are significant changes or new information
Risk assessments should be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes such as new equipment, substances, staff, processes, or after an incident. They are living documents, not one-off exercises.
Question 5: What is a 'suitable and sufficient' risk assessment?
- One that identifies every possible hazard, no matter how trivial
- One that identifies significant hazards, evaluates the risks properly, and is appropriate for the work activity (Correct answer)
- One that is carried out by an external consultant only
- One that uses the most complex methodology available
Correct answer: One that identifies significant hazards, evaluates the risks properly, and is appropriate for the work activity
A suitable and sufficient risk assessment identifies the significant hazards, evaluates the risks to those who could be affected, and determines appropriate control measures. It should be proportionate — detailed enough without being overly bureaucratic.
Question 6: What is the hierarchy of control measures?
- A list of PPE options ranked by cost
- A ranked sequence of control strategies from most to least effective: elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, PPE (Correct answer)
- A management structure for safety officers
- The order in which risk assessments should be completed
Correct answer: A ranked sequence of control strategies from most to least effective: elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, PPE
The hierarchy of control ranks measures from most effective (elimination — remove the hazard entirely) to least effective (PPE — protect the individual). You should always aim as high up the hierarchy as reasonably practicable.
IOSH Assessing Risks 2
What does 'likelihood' mean in the context of risk assessment?