Severity, Exposure & Probability (SEP) Risk Assessment Model

Severity, Exposure & Probability (SEP) Risk Assessment Model

The SEP model is a ‘quick and dirty’ Risk Assessment process that can be easily used in the field

Risk (R) = Severity x Probability x Exposure or R = S x P x E

Identify specific hazards and assign them a value for each element below.

The higher the number, the greater the Severity, Probability or Exposure.

Severity: Scored 1 to 5. Describes the potential loss or consequence or a mishap. Protective

devices or procedures, engineering controls, and PPE are used to mitigate Severity.

Should something go wrong, the results are likely to be found in the following areas:

Injury, occupational illness or death, Property damage or loss, Mission degradation,

Reduced morale, Adverse publicity, Administrative and/or disciplinary actions

1=none or slight

2=Minimal

3=Significant

4=Major

5=Catastrophic

Probability: Scored 1 to 5. The likelihood that given the Exposure, the projected consequences

will occur. Training, situational awareness, morale and attitude change are used to mitigate

Probability.

1=Impossible or remote under normal conditions 2=Unlikely under normal conditions

3=50/50 chance

4=Greater than 50% chance

5=Very likely

Exposure: Scored 1 to 4. The amount of time, number of cycles, number of people and resources

(equipment) involved.

1=None or below average 2=Average

3=Above average 4=Great

Compute the value of Risk (R = S x E x P) to evaluate the effectiveness of mission and risk of

execution. Values in the Substantial to Very High range need to be controlled.

Values

Risk Level

Action

80-100

Very High

Discontinue/STOP

60-79

High

Immediate Correction

40-59

Substantial

Correction Required

20-39

Possible

Attention Needed

1-19

Slight

Possibly Acceptible