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Dynamic Risk
Assessments
Learning Lite
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Why do we need them?
Traditional risk assessment is
about identifying risks in the
workplace so that you can
implement suitable controls
This is done at the planning stage
of our working activities
But what about when work activities
involve fluid environments, where
individual workers need to make
quick mental assessments and
manage risks "on the hoof"?
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So
Doing dynamic risk assessments for our activities, enables us to
continuously evaluate the implications of changing conditions
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An accident occurs when
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Results
(outcome)
Accident
(outcome)
Activity
Precursors
(outcome)
An accident in these terms
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The Steps
1
Plan

3
Identify the
Hazards
4
Assess
The
Risks
5
Implement
Safety Controls
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Ongoing
Monitoring and
Review
2
Observe the
Situation
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The steps in detail 1 Plan
Consider;
The possible systems of work
and choose the most
appropriate
The starting point must be
procedures that have been
agreed in pre-planning and
training
Ensure that personnel are
competent to carry out the
tasks they've been allocated
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Plan

3
Identify the
Hazards
4
Assess
The
Risks
5
Implement
Safety Controls
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Ongoing
Monitoring and
Review
2
Observe the
Situation
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The steps in detail 2 Observe the
Situation
Consider;
What tasks need to be
carried out
What is the environment
that the task is to be done
in e.g. is it dark? Is it
raining?
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Plan

3
Identify the
Hazards
4
Assess
The
Risks
5
Implement
Safety Controls
6
Ongoing
Monitoring and
Review
2
Observe the
Situation
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The steps in detail 3 Identify the
Hazards
Consider;
What are the hazards?
Where are the risks?
Who is likely to be affected?
What resources are available?

1
Plan

3
Identify the
Hazards
4
Assess
The
Risks
5
Implement
Safety Controls
6
Ongoing
Monitoring and
Review
2
Observe the
Situation
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The steps in detail 4 Assess the Risks
Consider;
Assess the chosen
systems of work: are the
risks proportional to the
benefits?
If yes, proceed with the
tasks after ensuring that
goals, both individual and
team, are understood;
responsibilities have been
clearly allocated; and
safety measures and
procedures are
understood
If no, continue as below
1
Plan

3
Identify the
Hazards
4
Assess
The
Risks
5
Implement
Safety Controls
6
Ongoing
Monitoring and
Review
2
Observe the
Situation
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The steps in detail 5 Implement Safety
Controls
Introduce additional controls;
Reduce residual risks to an
acceptable level; if possible, by
introducing additional control
measures, such as specialist
equipment or personal protective
equipment
Reassess systems of work and
additional control measures: if risks
remain, do the benefits from
carrying out the task outweigh the
costs if the risks are realised? If the
benefits outweigh the risks, proceed
with the task
If the risks outweigh the benefits, do
not proceed with the task, but
consider safe, viable alternatives
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Plan

3
Identify the
Hazards
4
Assess
The
Risks
5
Implement
Safety Controls
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Ongoing
Monitoring and
Review
2
Observe the
Situation
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The steps in detail 6 Ongoing
Monitoring and Review
Stay vigilant
Remember your Safe
Systems of Work
Keep communicating with
your supervisors
Remember we are all
responsible for the safety of
ourselves and that of others
Tell your planners what
controls you put in place for
the task to help improve the
planning and design
processes

1
Plan

3
Identify the
Hazards
4
Assess
The
Risks
5
Implement
Safety Controls
6
Ongoing
Monitoring and
Review
2
Observe the
Situation
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What did we learn?
We do Dynamic Risk Assessments
when work activities involve fluid
environments, where individual
workers need to make quick mental
assessments and manage risks "on
the hoof? "
If the risks outweigh the benefits, do
not proceed with the task, but
consider safe, viable alternatives
The Swiss Cheese model showed
that accidents occur when several
control measures fail