IOSH Assessing Risks 6 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of reviewing and updating risk assessments?
- To create more paperwork
- To ensure they remain valid, reflect current conditions, and incorporate lessons learned (Correct answer)
- To satisfy the annual audit requirement
- To give managers something to do
Correct answer: To ensure they remain valid, reflect current conditions, and incorporate lessons learned
Reviewing risk assessments ensures they reflect current workplace conditions, incorporate lessons from incidents, account for changes in legislation or guidance, and remain suitable and sufficient. Workplaces change, and assessments must change with them.
Question 2: Which of the following would trigger an immediate review of a risk assessment?
- A change in the office stationery supplier
- A significant accident or near miss related to the assessed activity (Correct answer)
- An employee's birthday
- The annual company picnic
Correct answer: A significant accident or near miss related to the assessed activity
A significant accident or near miss indicates that the current risk assessment and controls may be inadequate. Other triggers include changes in processes, equipment, substances, legislation, personnel, or if new information about hazards becomes available.
Question 3: What is 'competence' in relation to carrying out risk assessments?
- Having a university degree in any subject
- Having the necessary training, knowledge, experience and ability to identify hazards and evaluate risks (Correct answer)
- Being the most senior person in the organisation
- Having completed a risk assessment before
Correct answer: Having the necessary training, knowledge, experience and ability to identify hazards and evaluate risks
Competence means having the right combination of training, knowledge, experience and ability to carry out the task effectively. For risk assessments, the assessor must understand the work activity, recognise hazards, and evaluate risks appropriately.
Question 4: What information should be recorded in the significant findings of a risk assessment?
- Only the names of employees consulted
- The hazards identified, who is at risk, existing controls, risk ratings, and any further actions needed (Correct answer)
- Only the date the assessment was completed
- Only the hazards — not the control measures
Correct answer: The hazards identified, who is at risk, existing controls, risk ratings, and any further actions needed
The significant findings should include: the hazards identified, who could be harmed and how, existing control measures, the level of risk (rating), any additional controls required, who is responsible, and the review date.
Question 5: Why might certain workers be considered 'particularly at risk' in a risk assessment?
- Because they earn less than other workers
- Because of factors such as inexperience, disability, pregnancy, language barriers or shift patterns (Correct answer)
- Because they work part-time
- Because they have never had an accident
Correct answer: Because of factors such as inexperience, disability, pregnancy, language barriers or shift patterns
Certain workers may be particularly at risk due to factors such as inexperience (young/new workers), physical condition (pregnant workers, disabled workers), language barriers, health conditions, working patterns (lone workers, shift workers), or age.
Question 6: What does 'proportionate' mean when applied to risk assessment?
- All risk assessments should be the same length
- The level of detail and effort should match the level of risk — higher risks need more thorough assessment (Correct answer)
- Small companies do not need to carry out risk assessments
- Risk assessments should be proportional to the company's turnover
Correct answer: The level of detail and effort should match the level of risk — higher risks need more thorough assessment
A proportionate risk assessment means that the depth of analysis and the rigour of the assessment should match the level of risk. Simple, low-risk activities need straightforward assessments; complex, high-risk activities require more detailed analysis.
IOSH Assessing Risks 6
What is the purpose of reviewing and updating risk assessments?