What is involved in a risk assessment?

A risk assessment is a systematic process that involves identifying potential hazards in the workplace, assessing the associated risks of those hazards, and implementing appropriate control measures to mitigate those risks. This approach is essential for creating a safe working environment and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations.

Identifying hazards involves recognizing anything that has the potential to cause harm, whether it's physical, chemical, biological, or ergonomic in nature. Once hazards are identified, the next step is to assess the risks, which means evaluating the likelihood and potential severity of harm that could arise from those hazards. This assessment helps prioritize which risks need immediate attention.

After assessing the risks, implementing control measures follows. Control measures can include engineering controls, administrative changes, personal protective equipment, and training to ensure that workers are safe from identified hazards. This comprehensive process is vital for risk management in any organization, making the second option the most accurate representation of what a risk assessment entails.

The other options, while related to workplace safety, do not capture the complete essence of a risk assessment. Evaluating financial costs relates to budgeting for safety measures rather than the risk management process itself. Conducting employee surveys can provide insights into safety perceptions but does not form the core process of identifying and managing risks. Reviewing historical accident