RISK ASSESSMENT
Matrix - reference appendix 2 Corporate Safety Statement 2009
RISK
MATRIX
Negligible
(1)
Minor
(2)
Moderate
(3)
Major
(4)
Extreme
(5)
Almost
Certain
(5)
5
10
15
20
25
Likely
(4)
4
8
12
16
20
Possible
(3)
3
6
9
12
15
Unlikely
(2)
2
4
6
8
10
Rare/Remote
(1)
1
2
3
4
5
IMPACT- INJURY TO EMPLOYEE OR SERVICE USER/VISITOR/CONTRACTOR
CONSEQUENCE
(1)
Negligible –
Adverse event leading to minor injury not requiring first aid
No impaired Psychosocial functioning
(2)
Minor –
(3)
Moderate –
(4)
Major –
(5)
Extreme –
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Minor injury or illness, first aid treatment required
< 3days absence
< 3 days extended hospital stay
Impaired psychosocial functioning greater than 3 days less than one month
Significant injury requiring medical treatment e.g. fracture and/or counselling
Agency reportable e.g. H.S.A,Garda (violent and aggressive acts)
>3days absence
>3-8 days extended hospital stay
Impaired psychosocial functioning greater than one month less than six months
Major injuries/long term incapacity or disability (loss of limb) requiring medical
treatment and/or counselling
Impaired psychosocial functioning greater than six months
Incident leading to death or major permanent incapacity.
Event that impacts on large number of patients or member of the public
Permanent psychosocial functioning incapacity.
RISK ASSESSMENT
LIKELIHOOD
Actual Frequency
(1)
Rare/Remote-
Probability
Occurs every 5 years or more
1%
(2)
Unlikely-
Occurs every 2-5 years
10%
(3)
Possible-
Occurs every 1-2years
50%
Bimonthly
75%
At least monthly
99%
(4)
Likely
(5)
Almost Certain
Risk Rating
1-5 Low
6-12 Medium
Current controls appear to be managing the risk to the lowest level possible.
Additional controls need to be considered to reduce the risk further.
Are they reasonably practicable?
15- 25 High
Key risks must receive urgent management attention
REMEMBER
All risk assessments and control measures should be monitored and reviewed
regularly and always following any changes that may affect previous decisions.
They should also be reviewed following an accident or near miss.
Risk
Assessment is
not a “one off”
Example
Consequence
=
Moderate
=
3
Likelihood
=
Unlikely
=
2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Risk Rating
=
3x2
=
6 Medium
Although controls are deemed to be adequate monitoring is required and efforts should be made to
reduce the risk to low; costs of prevention should be carefully monitored.
Risk reduction measures should be implemented in a defined time period.
Ensure action plans are in place
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RISK ASSESSMENT
Legal Requirement – The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 requires:
Section 8.—(1) Every employer shall ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the safety, health and
welfare at work of his or her employees.
Section 12.—Every employer shall manage and conduct his or her undertaking in such a way as to
ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that in the course of the work being carried on, individuals at
the place of work (not being his or her employees) are not exposed to risks to their safety, health or
welfare.
The Act continues by stating that this will be done by:
Section 19.—(1)
Every employer shall identify the hazards in the place of work under his or her control, assess the risks
presented by those hazards and be in possession of a written assessment ---------Section 20.—(1) Every employer shall prepare, or cause to be prepared, a written statement (to be
known and referred to in this Act as a “safety statement”), based on the identification of the hazards and
the risk assessment carried out under section 19, specifying the manner in which the safety, health and
welfare at work of his or her employees shall be secured and managed ------------
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RISK ASSESSMENT
Risk Assessment Sheet 1
Location::
Risk Assessment:
Risk assessment carried out by:
Ref:
No.
HAZARD
RISK
Date:
In consultation with
Existing
Control Measures
Risk
Rating
H
M
L
Recommended
Additional
Control Measures
Responsible
Person
Ms. ……. Mr.
…….
Action Date
1
2
3
Training Required 
Recommendations to be followed up by line manager 
Inform staff of instructions 
Follow up on recommendations immediately 
Staff Health, Safety & Welfare Department, HSE HR Services
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