Prevent Before it Happens : Safety & Health Risk Assessment - A Proactive Approach to Zero Accidents

 Prevent Before it Happens : Safety & Health Risk Assessment - A Proactive Approach to Zero Accidents .

Few days ago, I shared a S&H Dash, then I got quite few questions how the risk assessment is done. 

S&H Risk Assessment is a systematic process of identify workplace hazards, evaluate their risks, and implement control measures to minimize or eliminate potential harm. It ensures compliance with safety standards while fostering a culture of proactive risk management.

How to Perform*

1️⃣ Identify Hazards:

Walk through the workplace to identify potential hazards related to activities, equipment, materials, or processes.

2️⃣ Evaluate Risks:

Use a Risk Matrix (as shown in the image) to assess each hazard’s probability and impact. Assign a Risk Score based on likelihood (e.g., very likely to very unlikely) and severity (e.g., negligible to catastrophic). CATHASTROPHIC here is used on purpose to express the magnitute of the consequens ie fatal accidents.

3️⃣ Decide on Mitigation Actions:

For each hazard, define specific mitigation actions to reduce risk. For high-risk hazards (e.g., scores of 16-25), immediate actions like engineering controls or process redesign are recommended.

4️⃣ Assign Responsibilities and Deadlines:

Allocate tasks to responsible individuals and set deadlines for implementing mitigation measures. So close the loop.

5️⃣ Reassess Residual Risks:

After implementing mitigation actions, reassess the risk probability and impact to ensure the residual risk is either Low or Very Low, which could be acceptable until you mitigate all Cathastriphic, High and Medium risks.

6️⃣ Document Findings:

Keep detailed records of hazards, risk scores, mitigation actions, and outcomes for future reference.

7️⃣ Review and Update Regularly:

Periodically review the analysis to ensure it remains relevant as workplace conditions change.

Why to Perform

✅ Proactive Hazard Management: Identify and address risks before they cause harm.

✅ Improved Compliance: Ensure adherence to safety regulations and standards.

✅ Enhanced Decision-Making: Use data-driven insights to prioritize safety interventions.

✅ Continuous Improvement: Foster a culture of ongoing safety enhancement.

✅ Increased employee morale because of improved workplace safety standards

S&H Risk Assessment is not just a compliance exercise, it’s the foundation of proactive safety culture. By systematically identifying hazards, evaluating risks, and implementing mitigation actions, you’re not only protecting your workforce but also driving operational excellence. 

Safety is a journey, not a destination - every step you take today builds a safer, more resilient workplace for tomorrow.

* For simplicity and reference only. There are models like HIRA, JSA, HAZOP etc that you can use.

** Please like, comment and DM me for Excel Template