Is it Possible to Reduce the Risk to Zero?

The ALARP Triangle

Risk should be reduced to a level that is as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP). If a tolerable level of risk can be lowered further — at a reasonable cost, and with little effort — it should be. Standards of tolerability tend to be far stricter after an accident had happened than before it took place.

When deciding on what kind of controls to prioritise, you should take into account how often the activity is performed. For example, it may be more urgent to address a moderate level of risk in a process that occurs every day, than a substantial risk in an activity that won’t be carried out in the near future.

When to Assess

Risk assessment should be seen as a continuous process. In practice, the risks should be assessed before work begins on any task for which there is not already an existing risk assessment. An assessment should be reviewed and updated as necessary, this is done to ensure that it reflects any significant changes in equipment or procedures.