Assessing risk using a risk matrix approach

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Assessing risk using a risk matrix approach

What is risk assessment?
Risk assessment is the process of estimating and communicating workplace safety risk, and deciding whether this risk is acceptable.
The main reasons for conducting a risk assessment for any hazard are to:
use the risk assessment to prioritise the risk control activities
use the risk assessment as a guide as to how the risk is to be controlled
justify the control activities based on the level of risk reduction.
A risk assessment must be undertaken considering the following factors that may be contributing to the risk:
the work premises and working environment (including the layout and condition)
the number of people and how frequently those people could be exposed to risk
the capability, skill, experience and age of people ordinarily undertaking the work
the systems of work being used
the range of reasonably foreseeable conditions
the number and type of workplace and/or industry incidents.
OHS information available that is relevant to the particular hazard including:
OHS information provided by a supplier of any plant, equipment or substance
material safety data sheets (MSDS) for any hazardous substance
the label of any hazardous substance
results of any biological monitoring
results of any atmospheric monitoring
information contained in any specialised OHS reports provided or available
information about previous injuries, illness and dangerous incidents
standards, code of practice and guidelines.
Conducting a risk assessment involves making a value judgement based on this information and any available evidence within the workplace and industry. This may include
numbers of current and past incidents, severity of injuries from the identified hazard, lost work time from injuries and number of people involved in incidents. Specific information
such as environmental measurements of hazards, eg noise levels, dust levels, Legionella, and comparisons made between the workplace measurement and the legally required
measurement can also assist in the risk assessment process.

The risk matrix

Risk matrixes are available from state/territory WorkCover authorities or the Risk Management Standard: AS/NZS 4360:2004. You may also find that other state authorities or

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event and industry associations may have developed sample matrixes.

The risk matrix records the level of risk which is determined by the relationship between the likelihood of an incident occurring from the hazard, and the consequence caused by
the hazard. This is recorded as either a numerical or alphabetical code. The relationship between likelihood and consequence determines how dangerous the hazard is.
The level of risk or code that is determined is referred to as a risk priority rating. This priority rating allows employers to prioritise the hazards identified to ensure that the hazards
with high potential of creating an incident are eliminated or controlled first.
Controlling a hazard may involve inspections, investigations and/or monitoring control activities with managers, supervisors and work teams involved as appropriate depending
on the circumstances.
A hazard posing a low level of risk should not automatically be assessed as acceptable. If there is a means of further reducing or eliminating this risk then this must be done.
Risk matrixes, while staying true to the OHS authorities design, can be and are often modified to suit a particular work environment or work task.
Modified risk matrixes can be reviewed within industry specific standards, codes of practice, guidance notes and fact sheets from the state/territory OHS authorities or risk
management policies and procedures from event associations or companies.

Sample risk matrix (example 1)

This risk matrix has been designed and adapted from the Australia/New Zealand Standard for Risk Management: AS/NZS 4360:2004. The risk priority rating on this matrix is
represented by an alphabetical code as the key below outlines.

Likelihood

Consequences
Severe
Major
(1)

Medium

(2)

Minor

(3)

Negligible

(4)

(5)

Almost certain E

(A)
Likely

(B)
Possible

(C)
Unlikely

(D)
Rare
(E)

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Key to the risk rating

E

Extreme risk Immediate action required; this level of risk needs detailed research
and planning by senior management.

High risk Action plan is required as soon as practicable by senior management.

Moderate risk Action plan is required by Area/Department Manager.

Low risk Managed by routine procedures and employees under supervision.

Trivial risk Unlikely to need specific application of resources.

The numbers and letters associated with the criteria for likelihood and consequences reflect accuracy in the rating. For example a risk rating may be H but does that
represent possible and severe or likely and severe or likely or major etc. It is a way of explaining the reasoning behind the risk priority rating. It also recognises that there
are a few versions of the same rating just with different criteria being assessed.

Sample risk matrix (example 2)

This risk matrix has a risk priority rating represented by a numerical code as the key below outlines.

How severely
could it hurt
someone or how
ill could it make
someone?

How likely is it to be that bad?

++ Very likely + Likely
= Unlikely
could happen
anytime

could happen
at some time

Very unlikely

could happen
but very rarely

may happen
but probably
wont

Kill or cause
permanent
disability or ill
health

Long term illness

or serious injury

Medical attention
and several days
off work

First aid needed

Key to the risk rating

1 and 2

The hazard has a high risk of creating an incident. It requires immediate

executive management attention to rectify the hazard. Control action must be

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immediately implemented before working in the area or carrying out the work
process.

3 and 4

The hazard has a moderate risk of creating an incident. It requires management

attention in a reasonable timeframe to prevent or reduce the likelihood and severity
of an incident. Control action of a short term nature would need to be taken
immediately so that work could still be carried out with further long term action taken
to ensure that the hazard was fully controlled.

5 and 6

The hazard has a low risk of creating an incident. It requires supervisor and
employee attention in a reasonable timeframe to prevent or reduce the likelihood and
severity of an incident.

Using the risk assessment matrix

A risk matrix identifies the relationship between the likelihood of an incident occurring from the hazard, and the consequence caused by the hazard. This should still be the case
even with a modified matrix. Regardless of the matrix used the risk rating for a particular hazard should still reflect the same outcome. Following are examples of risk
assessments of a range of hazards. They are recorded as either a numerical or alphabetical code.
Hazard assessed: Operation of a fork lift at an event (alphabetical code)
To accurately assess this hazard and its potential associated risks consideration has been given to:
the specific use of the fork lift
the number of people in the area of the fork lift use
the design and set-up of the event area in which the fork lift is used
experience of and licence requirements for people operating fork lift
regulatory and operational requirements of the fork lift.

Likelihood

Consequences
Severe
Major

Medium

(2)

Minor

(3)

Negligible

(4)

(5)

(1)
Almost
certain

(A)
Likely

(B)
Possible

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(C)
Unlikely

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(D)
Rare
(E)

Risk rating = E
Extreme risk Immediate action is required; detailed research and planning by senior management.

Acting on the risk rating

In this example the risk rating priority of E requires immediate action and detailed research and planning by senior management to rectify the hazard. The action must be
developed before the activity is undertaken.
In this risk assessment particular consideration has been given to the number of other people who will potentially be in the vicinity during the operation of the fork lift.
It is important to remember that risk assessments on the same or similar hazards can differ if there are used in different work environments. For example, an assessment of fork
lift operations within a warehouse where access by people is limited may record a risk rating of H.
Hazard assessed: Operation of a fork lift at an event (numerical code)

How severely
could it hurt
someone or how
ill could it make
someone?

How likely is it to be that bad?

++ Very likely + Likely
= Unlikely
could happen
anytime

could happen
at some time

Very unlikely

could happen
but very rarely

may happen
but probably
wont

Long term illness

or serious injury

Medical attention
and several days
off work

Kill or cause
permanent
disability or ill
health

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First aid needed

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Risk rating = 1
The hazard has a high risk of creating an incident. It requires immediate executive management attention to rectify the hazard. Control action must be immediately
implemented before working in the area or carrying out the work process.

Acting on the risk rating

A risk rating priority level of 1 requires immediate executive management attention to rectify the hazard. Control action would need to be immediately implemented before
working in the area or using the fork lift. This may include ensuring that all operators are currently licensed, checking that the fork lift is in good working order and/or barricading
the area where the fork lift is being used so as to avoid an excess of pedestrian traffic.
Hazard assessed: Leads lying around on stage (alphabetical code)
To accurately assess this hazard and its potential associated risks consideration has been given to:
the layout of the stage area
the number of people on stage at any one time
the number and type of leads of leads (voltage, coverings)
experience of the stage crew and artists
regulatory and operational requirements of electrical leads.

Likelihood

Consequences
Severe
Major
(1)

Medium

Minor

(2)

Negligible

(4)

(5)

(3)
Almost certain E

(A)
Likely

(B)
Possible

(C)
Unlikely

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(D)
Rare

(E)

Risk rating = M
Moderate risk Action plan is required by Area/Department Manager.

Acting on the risk rating

In this example the risk rating priority of M requires an action plan to be developed prior to stage preparation being carried out to either eliminate or reduce the risk of tripping
and falling.
Hazard assessed: Heat exhaustion (numerical code)
To accurately assess this hazard and its potential associated risks consideration has been given to:
the supply of and access to shaded areas
the number of people working in the outdoors or in a high heat areas
the number and type of cooling facilities provided
the length of shifts for workers and length of exposure to heat
type of clothing provided for workers
the type of work undertaken.

How severely
could it hurt
someone or how
ill could it make
someone?

How likely is it to be that bad?

++ Very likely + Likely
= Unlikely
could happen
anytime

could happen
at some time

Very unlikely
may happen
but probably
wont

could happen
but very rarely

Kill or cause
permanent
disability or ill
health

Long term illness

or serious injury

Medical attention
and several days
off work

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First aid needed

Risk rating = 5
The hazard has a low risk of creating an incident. It requires supervisor and employee attention in a reasonable timeframe to prevent or reduce the likelihood and severity of
an incident.
Acting on the risk rating
A risk rating priority level of 5 records the hazard as a low risk of creating an incident. It requires supervisors and employees attention in the form of monitoring work conditions
and personnel and/or their own physical state to prevent or reduce the likelihood and severity of an incident.
Control actions would still need to be implemented when setting up the work area such as providing sufficient shading, rotating shifts to avoid lengthy period in hot areas etc.
Also as temperatures can fluctuate continual monitoring during the event is required.

Recording risk priority ratings

Once the risk matrix has been used to identify the risk priority rating, it must be recorded. Once the risk rating has been assessed, control measures can be determined.
The following event hazards have been risk assessed to demonstrate the recording format using both formats.
Hazard

Safety risk

Possible outcomes

People working at
height to install rigging
and equipment
Use of fork lift with
other people in the
event area
Exhaust fumes from
exhibition display, eg
cars
Boxes left in main
doorway

Falling

Death

Wet floor from spilled

liquid

Slips and falls

Climbing equipment failure Permanent injury

Person being hit by vehicle Death

Exhaust build-up
Crowd crush
Trip hazard

Burns if liquid is corrosive

Permanent injury
Exhaust inhalation
Death or Injury
Medical attention
required

Risk rating Risk rating

First aid

The accuracy of the risk priority ratings will depend on the workplace situation and is only offered as guide.

Assess safety risks Solo Activity 4

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