Risk Assessment Frequently Asked Questions

Below is a list of frequently asked questions regarding risk assessments. Also, take the time to read the frequently asked questions for CIRSMA™. A software packaged designed to help create and manage you risk assessment documentation. Take me to FAQ about CIRSMA™.

What is the difference between a risk assessment and a safety audit?

A risk assessment is a process that is used to evaluate the likelihood of harm occurring and the severity of that harm. The results of the risk assessment can then be used to determine if the work can be performed safely. If the risk is not accepted, decisions must be made regarding additional protective measure that that will help to keep workers safe.
A safety audit is a process that is used to verify whether or not the risk reduction strategy is consistent with the results of the decisions made during the risk reduction portion of the risk assessment process. Each risk reduction measure is validated in order to ensure that the work is being performed is accordance with the decisions made during the risk assessment.

What is the difference between a risk management and safety management?

Risk management includes the systematic use of the risk assessment results to make decisions regarding the best practicable strategy that will be used to protect workers from harm.
Safety management is the system used to ensure taht the risk levels achieved during the risk assessment process are maintained.

Who is responsible for preventing workplace accidents?

Everyone must do his or her part in order to create a safe and healthy workplace. Once all of the equipment hazards have been identified and defined, equipment Integrators must attempt to reduce end user exposure to hazards wherever possible. Equipment Owners must be formally notified of all residual risks. Employers must also attempt to reduce risk of injury due to residual risks plus any additional risk that may be created by the industrial process. Employees must report all unsafe conditions to their employer in order to provide the employer with an opportunity to eliminate the hazard or reduce the risk of injury.

Why perform a risk assessment?

It is the equipment manufacturers responsibility to assess the users specifications and to ensure that the usage of the equipment, considering its capacity and limits within the work environment, and the maintenance program, will satisfy the users requirements. The manufacturer must also convey to the user all residual risks that could not be either totally or reasonably reduced. If hazards are present and safety elements have been installed or modified to reduce the risk of injury, and if the manufacturers risk assessment documentation can not be obtained, or does not exist, a formal evaluation of the risk and the risk reduction measures is required in order to demonstrate due diligence.

What am I hoping to achieve by performing a risk assessment?

By performing a comprehensive risk assessment we are trying to achieve the following:

  • Measure the likelihood of a person being injured if risk reduction measures are not employed.
  • Measure the impact of risk reduction measures (guarding) on the original risk estimation.
  • Measure the likelihood of a machine control system failing to perform a safety function.
  • Measure the overall performance of all risk reduction measures.
  • Compare the residual risk to the risk level that exists on machines that present similar hazards.
  • The demonstration of due diligence.

Should the equipment manufacturer provide a risk assessment as part of the equipment documentation?

The equipment manufacturer is not required to provide this type of documentation but should have completed the risk assessment. Manufacturers are not likely to provide a copy of the equipment risk assessment unless the purchaser requests it. It is important to include this request in the purchasing specification.

What Is Tolerable Industrial Risk?

Tolerability does not mean acceptability. It refers to the willingness to live with a risk, with confidence that it is being properly controlled.

Which machine hazards should be assessed?

All machine hazards should be assessed. As a condition of employment, it is a reasonable employee expectation that the employer will provide engineered controls that have been designed and implemented such that employees will not be exposed to high or even medium risk. Performing a comprehensive risk assessment will enable each the risk associated with each hazard to be measured.

What is the meaning of Control reliability?

Control reliability is a measurement of the capability of the overall control system, the safeguarding, other control elements and related interfacing to achieve or maintain a safe state in the event of a failure within their safety related functions. The overall control system includes:

An arrangement or group of electrical components.

An arrangement or group of pneumatic components.

An arrangement or group of hydraulic components.

An arrangement or group of mechanical components.

Or any combination thereof.

Do I have to be an Engineer to perform a risk assessment?

No. A team of knowledgeable people should perform risk assessments. A team comprised of users, supervisors, workers, Engineers, skilled trades, trained and experienced safety analyses personnel, and legal counsel, can provide valuable insight into usage, potential misuse, and hazards or risks that might be overlooked by an individual. The final review of the risk evaluation should be performed by a person who demonstrates a very high level of competence in the system or proces design and risk controls, the applicable legal obligations, and is willing to state that all measures reasonable in the circumstance have been taken to prevent the occurrence of injuries.

Our Services

Below are some of the services we offer to our customers to help them meet their industrial safety obligations.