Once the hazards in your workplace have been identified, the risks need to be assessed which includes establishing:
- who will be affected how severe is the harm likely to be? (extreme, high, moderate, and low)
- how likely is it to happen? (very likely, likely, moderate, unlikely and rare).
Learn more about the risk assessment process in the How to manage work health and safety risks: Code of practice.
As a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU), you are responsible for everyone’s safety at your workplace, even if they do not work for you or with you. People who could be harmed include workers, contractors, customers, visitors and members of the public.
After completing a risk assessment process, you might find that some of the risks have been dealt with previously, however you might also find these risks need further control measures. The purpose of Step 2 is to reduce any remaining risks as much possible.
Use the risk assessment matrix below to help establish whether the residual risk is extreme, high, medium or low. Then assess the situation to estimate whether those risks are likely to happen. Where high-risk activities have been identified, action should be taken immediately.
Remember to record this step and write down the significant hazards and conclusions.
