Risk Assessment and Mitigation Flashcards
7 cards from real SMSTS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Risk Assessment and Mitigation flashcards as text
A site manager is reviewing a risk assessment for confined space entry. Which regulation primarily governs safe systems of work for this activity?
Answer: The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997
The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997 set out the specific duties for avoiding confined space entry and, where unavoidable, implementing safe systems of work.
On a live traffic management scheme, a risk assessment must address the risk of 'struck by vehicle.' Which control best addresses this risk at the highest level of the hierarchy?
Answer: Physically separating workers from live traffic using barriers
Physical separation (hard barriers) eliminates exposure to the hazard, ranking above PPE, behavioral training, or administrative controls.
Which term describes the process of ensuring that all persons who might be affected by a risk assessment have been identified, including non-employees?
Answer: Scope of assessment
The scope of assessment must identify all persons at risk, including members of the public, visitors, delivery drivers, and adjacent workers, not just direct employees.
Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, an employer with five or more employees must:
Answer: Record the significant findings of every risk assessment in writing
Regulation 3(6) requires employers with five or more employees to record the significant findings of their risk assessments.
A site manager suspects that workers are not following the control measures specified in a risk assessment. What is the most appropriate initial response?
Answer: Conduct a toolbox talk to reinforce the controls and investigate the reason for non-compliance
Understanding why controls are not being followed and communicating expectations through a toolbox talk addresses both compliance and underlying behavioural factors.
In a risk rating matrix, if the severity of potential harm is rated 'major' and the likelihood is rated 'unlikely,' the resulting risk level would typically be classified as:
Answer: Medium risk requiring planned corrective action
A major severity combined with unlikely likelihood typically produces a medium risk rating that requires a planned response but not immediate cessation.
Which of the following is a limitation of using a risk assessment checklist as the sole method for identifying hazards?
Answer: It may not capture site-specific or novel hazards not listed on the checklist
Checklists are based on known hazards and may miss unique conditions; they should be supplemented with site walkthroughs and worker consultation.