NEBOSH Risk Assessment 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What are the five steps of risk assessment according to the HSE?
- Identify hazards, decide who might be harmed and how, evaluate risks and decide on controls, record findings, and review and update (Correct answer)
- Eliminate hazards, substitute, engineer, administrate, protect
- Inspect, observe, measure, control, report
- Assess, plan, act, check, review
Correct answer: Identify hazards, decide who might be harmed and how, evaluate risks and decide on controls, record findings, and review and update
The HSE five-step risk assessment: 1) Identify hazards (what could cause harm), 2) Decide who might be harmed and how, 3) Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions (is current control adequate?), 4) Record significant findings, 5) Review the assessment and update when needed. This structured approach ensures systematic hazard management.
Question 2: How is risk typically calculated in a risk matrix?
- Risk = Likelihood of harm × Severity of harm (Correct answer)
- Risk = Number of workers × Hazard type
- Risk = Cost of control measures ÷ Number of workers
- Risk = Frequency of inspections × Number of hazards
Correct answer: Risk = Likelihood of harm × Severity of harm
A risk matrix plots likelihood (probability that harm will occur) against severity (magnitude of harm if it does). The product gives a risk rating (low/medium/high/very high). This helps prioritize which risks require most urgent and extensive control. Risk matrices use numerical scales (1–5 or 1–3) for both dimensions.
Question 3: What is the purpose of 'dynamic risk assessment'?
- Real-time risk assessment conducted during rapidly changing situations (emergency services, dynamic construction sites) when pre-planned assessments cannot cover all eventualities (Correct answer)
- A risk assessment that changes every day automatically
- Dynamic risk assessment is more formal than standard risk assessment
- Only used by emergency services — not applicable in workplaces
Correct answer: Real-time risk assessment conducted during rapidly changing situations (emergency services, dynamic construction sites) when pre-planned assessments cannot cover all eventualities
Dynamic risk assessment is the continuous real-time process of identifying, assessing, and managing hazards in rapidly evolving situations. Used by emergency services, live event staff, lone workers, and on construction sites where conditions change. Workers must be trained to recognize hazard changes and make safe decisions.
Question 4: Who should be involved in conducting a workplace risk assessment?
- Managers, supervisors, and the workers who actually do the work — workers have the most detailed knowledge of actual hazards (Correct answer)
- Only the safety officer
- Only senior management
- Only external consultants
Correct answer: Managers, supervisors, and the workers who actually do the work — workers have the most detailed knowledge of actual hazards
Effective risk assessments require worker involvement because workers have first-hand knowledge of actual conditions, task details, and practical hazards that management may not be aware of. Involving workers also increases ownership and compliance with resulting control measures.
Question 5: What factors should be considered when assessing the risk to 'vulnerable groups' in the workplace?
- Pregnant workers, young persons, workers with disabilities, lone workers, and migrant workers may have increased susceptibility or reduced ability to protect themselves — risk assessments must specifically address them (Correct answer)
- All workers are equally susceptible to all hazards
- Vulnerable groups are only the elderly
- Only disabled workers require special consideration
Correct answer: Pregnant workers, young persons, workers with disabilities, lone workers, and migrant workers may have increased susceptibility or reduced ability to protect themselves — risk assessments must specifically address them
Specific risk assessment provisions apply to: new and expectant mothers (reproductive hazards, physical demands), young persons (inexperience, prohibition on certain hazards), workers with disabilities (access, task modification), lone workers (emergency response, supervision), and migrant workers (language barriers, cultural differences, unfamiliarity with local standards).
Question 6: When should a risk assessment be reviewed and updated?
- After a significant change (new process, new substance, new equipment, after an accident), when there is reason to believe it is no longer valid, and at regular intervals (Correct answer)
- Only when a regulatory inspector requires it
- Only when an accident occurs
- At a fixed interval regardless of changes in the workplace
Correct answer: After a significant change (new process, new substance, new equipment, after an accident), when there is reason to believe it is no longer valid, and at regular intervals
Risk assessments must be reviewed: when significant changes occur (new substances, processes, equipment, work arrangements), after any accident, near-miss or ill health incident, when workers report concerns, when monitoring shows controls are inadequate, and on a regular planned review cycle. Living documents — not one-time exercises.
NEBOSH Risk Assessment 1
What are the five steps of risk assessment according to the HSE?