A risk assessment should include:
(i) Identify factors that may be contributing to the risk,
(ii) Review health and safety information that is reasonably available from an
authoritative source and is relevant to the particular hazard,
(iii) Evaluation of how severe the harm could be. This includes looking at
the types of injuries/illnesses/harm/damage that can result from the hazard,
the number of people exposed, possible chain effects from exposure to this
hazard.
(iv) Evaluation of how a hazard may cause harm. This includes examining
how work is completed, whether existing control measures are in place and
whether they control the harm, looking at infrequent/abnormal situations as
well as standard operating situations. A chain of events related to a risk
may need to be considered.
(v) Determining the likelihood of harm occurring. The level of risk will
increase as the likelihood of harm and its severity increases. The likelihood
of harm occurring may be affected by how often the task is completed.
what conditions, how many people are exposed to the hazard and for what
duration.
(vi) Identify the actions necessary to eliminate or control the risk; and
(vii) Identify records that it is necessary to keep to ensure that the risks are
eliminated or controlled.
Other risk factors should also be identified as they may contribute to the risk:
including
(viii) The work premises and the working environment, including their layout
and condition,
(ix) The capability, skill, experience and age of people ordinarily undertaking
work,
(x) The systems of work being used; and
(xi) The range of reasonably foreseeable conditions