Using Matrix Approach

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 fre"uently those people could be e#posed to risk the capability, skill, e#perience 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. %&' information available that is relevant to the particular hazard including: %&' information provided by a supplier of any plant, e"uipment or substance material safety data sheets (')'! 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 %&' reports provided or available information about previous injuries, illness and dangerous incidents standards, code of practice and guidelines. *onducting 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. 'pecific information such as environmental measurements of hazards, eg noise levels, dust levels, +egionella, and comparisons made between the workplace measurement and the legally re"uired measurement can also assist in the risk assessment process.
Assess safety risks Solo Activity 4
, *ommonwealth of Australia -./-, +icensed under *reative *ommons Attribution0'hareAlike 1.. Australia +icense
The risk matrix

Risk matri#es are available from state$territory 2ork*over authorities or the Risk (anagement 'tandard: A'$34' 516.:-..5. 7ou may also find that other state authorities or event and industry associations may have developed sample matri#es. The risk matri# records the level of risk which is determined by the relationship between the likelihood of an incident occurring from the hazard, and the consequence caused by the hazard. This is recorded as either a numerical or alphabetical code. The relationship between likelihood and conse"uence determines how dangerous the hazard is. The level of risk or code that is determined is referred to as a risk priority rating. This priority rating allows employers to prioritise the hazards identified to ensure that the hazards with high potential of creating an incident are eliminated or controlled first. *ontrolling a hazard may involve inspections, investigations and$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. 8f there is a means of further reducing or eliminating this risk then this must be done. Risk matri#es, while staying true to the %&' authorities design, can be and are often modified to suit a particular work environment or work task. (odified risk matri#es can be reviewed within industry specific standards, codes of practice, guidance notes and fact sheets from the state$territory %&' authorities or risk management policies and procedures from event associations or companies.

Sample risk matrix (example 1)

This risk matri# has been designed and adapted from the Australia$3ew 4ealand 'tandard for Risk (anagement: A'$34' 516.:-..5. The risk priority rating on this matri# is represented by an alphabetical code as the key below outlines.
Consequences Likelihood Almost certain (A) Likel( ()) *ossi&le (C) +nlikel( (,) -are (.) Severe (1) a!or (") edium (#) inor ($) %egligi&le (')
9 & & ( (
& & ( ( +
& ( ( + +
( ( + + T
( + + T T
/e( to the risk rating

. 0 .xtreme risk : 8mmediate action re"uired; this level of risk needs detailed research and planning by senior management. 0igh risk : Action plan is re"uired as soon as practicable by senior management. oderate risk : Action plan is re"uired by Area$)epartment (anager. L T Lo1 risk : (anaged by routine procedures and employees under supervision. Trivial risk : <nlikely to need specific application of resources.
The numbers and letters associated with the criteria for =likelihood> and =conse"uences> reflect accuracy in the rating. ?or e#ample a risk rating may be @&A but does that represent : =possible and severe> or =likely and severe> or =likely or major> etc. 8t is a way of e#plaining the reasoning behind the risk priority rating. 8t also recognises that there are a few versions of the same rating just with different criteria being assessed.
Sample risk matrix (example ")

This risk matri# has a risk priority rating represented by a numerical code as the key below outlines.
0o1 likel( is it to &e that &ad?

0o1 severel( could it hurt someone or
22 3er( likel( could happen anytime
2 Likel( could happen at some time
4 +nlikel( could happen but very rarely
5 3er( unlikel( may happen but probably wont
ho1 ill could it make someone?

/ill or cause permanent disa&ilit( or ill health Long term illness or serious in!ur( edical attention and several da(s o66 1ork 7irst aid needed
/e( to the risk rating 1 and "

The ha8ard has a high risk o6 creating an incident. 8t re"uires immediate e#ecutive management attention to rectify the hazard. *ontrol action must be immediately implemented before working in the area or carrying out the work process. The ha8ard has a moderate risk o6 creating an incident. 8t re"uires management attention in a reasonable timeframe to prevent or reduce the likelihood and severity of an incident. *ontrol 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. The ha8ard has a lo1 risk o6 creating an incident . 8t re"uires supervisor and employee attention in a reasonable timeframe to prevent or reduce the likelihood and severity of an incident.
# and $
' and 9

+sing the risk assessment matrix

A risk matri# identifies the relationship between the likelihood of an incident occurring from the hazard, and the conse"uence caused by the hazard. This should still be the case even with a modified matri#. Regardless of the matri# used the risk rating for a particular hazard should still reflect the same outcome. ?ollowing are e#amples of risk assessments of a range of hazards. They are recorded as either a numerical or alphabetical code.
0a8ard assessed: ;peration o6 a 6ork li6t at an event (alpha&etical 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 set0up of the event area in which the fork lift is used e#perience of and licence re"uirements for people operating fork lift regulatory and operational re"uirements of the fork lift.
9 & & ( (
& & ( ( +
& ( ( + +
( ( + + T
( + + T T
Risk rating C . .xtreme risk : 8mmediate action is re"uired; detailed research and planning by senior management.
Acting on the risk rating 8n this e#ample the risk rating priority of . re"uires immediate action and detailed research and planning by senior management to rectify the hazard. The action must be developed before the activity is undertaken. 8n 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. 8t is important to remember that risk assessments on the same or similar hazards can differ if there are used in different work environments. ?or e#ample, an assessment of fork lift operations within a warehouse where access by people is limited may record a risk rating of 0.
0a8ard assessed: ;peration o6 a 6ork li6t at an event (numerical code)

0o1 likel( is it to &e that &ad?

Risk rating C 1 The ha8ard has a high risk o6 creating an incident. 8t re"uires immediate e#ecutive management attention to rectify the hazard. *ontrol 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 re"uires immediate e#ecutive management attention to rectify the hazard. *ontrol 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 e#cess of pedestrian traffic.
0a8ard assessed: Leads l(ing around on stage (alpha&etical 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! e#perience of the stage crew and artists regulatory and operational re"uirements of electrical leads.
9 & & ( (
& & ( ( +
& ( ( + +
( ( + + T
( + + T T
Risk rating C oderate risk : Action plan is re"uired by Area$)epartment (anager.

Acting on the risk rating 8n this e#ample the risk rating priority of tripping and falling. re"uires an action plan to be developed
prior to stage preparation being carried out to either eliminate or reduce the risk of
0a8ard assessed: 0eat 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 e#posure to heat type of clothing provided for workers the type of work undertaken. 0o1 likel( is it to &e that &ad?

Risk rating C '

The ha8ard has a lo1 risk o6 creating an incident . 8t re"uires 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 B records the hazard as a low risk of creating an incident. 8t re"uires 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. *ontrol 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 re"uired.
-ecording risk priorit( ratings

%nce the risk matri# has been used to identify the risk priority rating, it must be recorded. %nce 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.
0a8ard Deople working at height to install rigging and e"uipment <se of fork lift with other people in the event area 9#haust fumes from e#hibition display, eg cars Eo#es left in main doorway 2et floor from spilled li"uid ?alling *limbing e"uipment failure Derson being hit by vehicle 9#haust build0up *rowd crush Trip hazard Sa6et( risk *ossi&le outcomes )eath Dermanent injury )eath Dermanent injury 9#haust inhalation )eath or 8njury (edical attention re"uired ?irst aid -isk rating -isk rating
"
'lips and falls Eurns if li"uid is corrosive
'

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

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Using Matrix Approach

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Using Matrix Approach

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Assessing risk using a risk matrix approach

What is risk assessment?

The risk matrix

Assess safety risks Solo Activity 4

Sample risk matrix (example 1)

/e( to the risk rating

Sample risk matrix (example ")

0o1 likel( is it to &e that &ad?

22 3er( likel( could happen anytime

2 Likel( could happen at some time

4 +nlikel( could happen but very rarely

5 3er( unlikel( may happen but probably wont

ho1 ill could it make someone?

/e( to the risk rating 1 and "

Assess safety risks Solo Activity 4

+sing the risk assessment matrix

0a8ard assessed: ;peration o6 a 6ork li6t at an event (alpha&etical code)

0a8ard assessed: ;peration o6 a 6ork li6t at an event (numerical code)

22 3er( likel( could happen anytime

2 Likel( could happen at some time

4 +nlikel( could happen but very rarely

5 3er( unlikel( may happen but probably wont

ho1 ill could it make someone?

0a8ard assessed: Leads l(ing around on stage (alpha&etical code)

Risk rating C oderate risk : Action plan is re"uired by Area$)epartment (anager.

Assess safety risks Solo Activity 4

0a8ard assessed: 0eat exhaustion (numerical code)

22 3er( likel( could happen anytime

2 Likel( could happen at some time

4 +nlikel( could happen but very rarely

5 3er( unlikel( may happen but probably wont

ho1 ill could it make someone?

Risk rating C '

Assess safety risks Solo Activity 4

-ecording risk priorit( ratings

'lips and falls Eurns if li"uid is corrosive

Assess safety risks Solo Activity 4

Assess safety risks Solo Activity 4

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