The Four Steps of Risk Assessment

These Steps Could Help the Crew to Manage Potential Risks:

1. What can go wrong? — Identify the risk.
2. How badly can it go wrong? — Assess the risk.
3. What can we do about it? — Prepare safeguards to control it.
4. Do it! — Implement the safeguards.

What Can Go Wrong? — Identify the Risk

All real and potential sources of danger must be identified by experienced personnel and must include historical data. What are the hazardous scenarios? Answering this question requires experience and imagination on the part of the person carrying out the assessment. Any and all scenarios should be considered, regardless of how unlikely they may seem.

It is essential to incorporate all available information regarding potential hazards. Statistics and accident reports are just two sources of information out of several.

How Badly Can It Go Wrong? — Assess the Risk

By estimating the likelihood of a mishap, and determining how severe its consequences may be, the risk level of the work can be assessed. If either the likelihood or the seriousness of the consequences is high, the risk will probably be too great, and either the likelihood of the accident must be reduced, or its outcome made less severe, before performing the work.

Often, the element of risk cannot be eliminated; however, it can be lowered to an acceptable level. In most cases, this is done by reducing the likelihood of accidents, as this is often easier than lessening their consequences.

For example, walking in an obstructed area involves the risk of falling. To reduce the likelihood of falling, obstructions can be marked in contrasting colours. To lessen the consequences of falling, protective equipment such as hard hats can be worn.

What Can We Do About It? — Prepare Safeguards to Control It

Safeguards can be divided into two categories. “Hard" safeguards are designs that prevent faults, while "soft" safeguards are rules or procedures that prevent faults.

When it comes to safeguards, certain safeguards are more effective than others. Always look for the most effective way to remove or lower the risk before performing the task. Hard safeguards are always more effective than soft ones. One example of a hard safeguard is the load program that prevents the increase of engine revolutions from occurring too rapidly. Obviously, this is far more effective than a warning sign that reads: "Increase slowly". In the following text is the hierarchy of safeguards described: 

The Hierarchy of Safeguards

• Eliminate the risk – Take away the material that composes the risk, or do not perform a task that is too dangerous or postpone until the risk is minimized.
• Reduce the risk – Change a harmful substance to a less harmful one.
• Control the hazard – Make sure a harmful substance cannot get in contact with you.
• Use "Personnel protective equipment" – Use PPE to prevent the substance from getting in contact with you.
• Implement procedures – To minimize the risk, implement procedures for avoiding harmful substances. This last step in the hierarchy is equivalent to number four in the four-step program.

Do it! — Implement the Safeguards

You should always implement the safeguards before starting the work. If you find a hard safeguard but cannot implement it immediately, you may have to use procedures or PPE in the meantime.