Risk And Its Control

WHAT IS RISK

   Risk is a potential or a situation in which one gains or losses something valuable......valuables (such as physical health, social status, emotional well-being or financial wealth) can be gained or lost when taking risk resulting from a given action or inaction, foreseen or unforeseen.

Risk is an uncertainty which is a potential, unpredictable, and uncontrollable outcome.  risk is a consequence of action taken in spite of uncertainty.

As part of managing the health, safety  and environment of  our business, we must control the risks at workplace.

To do this we need to think about what might cause harm to people and decide whether you are taking reasonable steps to prevent that harm. This is known as risk assessment and it is something you are required by law to carry out.

NOTE: A risk assessment is not about creating huge amounts of paperwork , but rather about identifying sensible measures to control the risks in your workplace.

   We have probably already taking steps to protect employees, but your risk assessment will help you decide whether you have covered all you need to.

Think about how accidents and ill health could happen at your work place or house and concentrate on real risks  –  those that are most likely and which will cause the most harm.

   Your assessment can help you identify where you need to look at certain risks and these particular control measures in more detail. 

These control measures do not have to be assessed separately but can be considered as part of, or an extension of, your overall risk assessment.

How to assess the risks in your workplace:

1. Identify the hazards

2. Decide who might be harmed  and how

3. Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions

4. Record your findings

5. Review your assessment and update if necessary.^[4]

When thinking about your risk assessment, remember:

• a hazard is anything that may cause harm, such as chemicals, pressure, electricity, working at heights, an open drawer etc                                                                                             
• the risk is the chance, high or low, that somebody could be harmed by these and other hazards, together                                                                                                                                
• Severity rating is an indication of how serious the harm could be.