What Is Risk Assessment
Risk assessment is the systematic process of identifying hazards, evaluating the probability and severity of potential harm, and determining appropriate control measures. Unlike hazard assessment, which simply identifies what could cause harm, risk assessment quantifies how likely that harm is and how serious it would be if it occurred.
OSHA Requirements and Regulatory Framework
OSHA doesn't mandate a single risk assessment method, but employers must conduct assessments under several standards. For workplace chemical handling, OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1200) requires you to assess chemical hazards before employees encounter them. For ergonomics, electrical work, and machinery operation, risk assessment determines whether additional safeguards beyond basic standards are needed.
The process typically involves identifying who could be harmed, under what conditions, and what existing controls are in place. If gaps exist, you calculate risk using the formula: Risk = Probability × Severity. A hazard with 10% probability of causing a serious injury scores differently than one with 1% probability of causing minor harm.
How It Works in Practice
- Identify hazards: Walk the workplace or home systematically. Look for chemical spills, electrical hazards, fire exits blocked by equipment, incomplete emergency procedures, or equipment lacking maintenance records.
- Determine exposure: Who encounters each hazard? How often? For 8 hours daily or occasional interaction? This affects probability scoring.
- Evaluate existing controls: Document what's already in place: safety equipment, training records, maintenance schedules, emergency procedures.
- Score and prioritize: Use a risk matrix to plot probability against severity. A high-voltage electrical hazard affecting 20 employees daily gets immediate attention. A rarely-used chemical with proper storage gets lower priority.
- Implement controls: Elimination and substitution are preferred (remove the hazard entirely). Engineering controls come next (guards, ventilation). Administrative controls follow (procedures, training). PPE is the last line of defense.
- Document and review: Keep assessment records for 3+ years. Revisit annually or after incidents, equipment changes, or procedural updates.
Workplace vs. Home Application
Workplace assessments are typically more formal. Safety managers use standardized templates, track findings in databases, and communicate results to employees. Many workplaces conduct audits quarterly or semi-annually.
Home assessments are less regulated but equally important. For homeowners, a room-by-room check covering fire safety, electrical hazards, chemical storage (cleaners, pesticides, medications), and emergency exits is the baseline. Homes with elderly residents or children require additional attention to fall hazards and poisoning risks.
Common Questions
- How often should we reassess risk? Minimum once annually, plus after any incident, equipment replacement, staffing change, or facility modification. A new machine or chemical process always triggers reassessment.
- Who should conduct the assessment? For workplaces, a mix of experienced staff, supervisors, and ideally a certified safety professional (CSP). For homes, start yourself, but hire a professional inspector for electrical, fire safety, or structural concerns.
- What happens if we find unacceptable risk? Develop a corrective action plan with timelines. High-risk hazards require immediate attention, sometimes temporarily removing the risk source until controls are in place. Document all actions taken.