Workplace Risk Assessment: Hazard Identification & Control
Learn to identify hazards, evaluate risk using a 5x5 matrix, implement control measures, and document a thorough risk assessment.
What you'll learn
- Identify workplace hazards through conducting safety inspections, interviewing workers, reviewing incident and near-miss records, utilizing Safety Data Sheets, and performing job hazard analysis (JHA).
- Evaluate risk using a 5x5 matrix, considering likelihood, credible worst-case severity, and the controls that are actively in place.
- Differentiate between initial and residual risk, determining when additional controls are needed or if risk can be tolerated.
- Choose risk controls by applying the hierarchy of controls, from elimination or substitution to personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Develop a risk control action plan featuring specific actions, assigned owners, deadlines, interim measures, and verification steps.
- Complete and document a workplace risk assessment utilizing a reusable Excel template that computes risk scores and classifications.
- Share risk assessment results with managers and employees, ensuring records are easily accessible and comprehensible.
- Understand when to revisit a risk assessment post-changes, incidents, or near misses, and ensure ongoing effectiveness of controls.
- Apply the method to case studies involving office ergonomics, warehouse safety with forklifts, and chemical storage, culminating in your own capstone assessment.
- Identify when a hazard necessitates a specialist or advanced techniques such as FMEA, fault tree analysis, or HAZOP.
Course outline
8 sections · 24 lessons · 3h 28m total
Foundations of Workplace Risk Assessment
- Understanding Hazards, Risks, and Risk Assessment Free Preview On Udemy 09:25
- Why Organizations Conduct Risk Assessments 07:42
- Roles and Responsibilities 08:49
Identifying Workplace Hazards
- Categories of Workplace Hazards Free Preview On Udemy 09:11
- Techniques for Identifying Hazards, Including Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) 11:37
- Identifying Who May Be Harmed 09:10
Evaluating and Prioritizing Risks
- Understanding Risk Likelihood Free Preview On Udemy 07:59
- Evaluating Risk Severity 07:40
- Using a Risk Assessment Matrix 09:14
- Assessing Existing Controls and Residual Risk 08:23
Selecting and Implementing Risk Controls
- Understanding the Hierarchy of Controls Free Preview On Udemy 09:01
- Choosing Effective Control Measures 08:35
- Developing a Risk Treatment Action Plan 08:36
Documenting a Workplace Risk Assessment
- What a Risk Assessment Record Should Contain Free Preview On Udemy 08:04
- Completing a Risk Assessment Worksheet 08:39
- Communicating Risk Assessment Findings 07:43
Reviewing and Updating Risk Assessments
- When Risk Assessments Need Review Free Preview On Udemy 08:07
- Monitoring the Effectiveness of Controls 07:42
Practical Case Studies
- Office Workplace Risk Assessment 08:21
- Warehouse Risk Assessment 08:32
- Maintenance and Chemical Storage Risk Assessment 09:42
- Complete Worked Risk Assessment 09:47
Advanced Techniques and Course Conclusion
- Introduction to Advanced Risk Assessment Methods 08:37
- Key Takeaways and Applying the Process 06:59
About this course
This course incorporates the use of artificial intelligence.
Gain the ability to assess workplace risks like an effective safety leader: based on tasks, using evidence, and implementing proven controls.
Many risk assessments are ineffective due to common pitfalls: single-word hazard descriptions, ratings conducted in office settings, vague controls like “be careful,” and actions lacking an owner or timeline. This course will teach you a pragmatic, OSHA-aligned approach to workplace risk assessment, guiding you from hazard identification to risk scoring, controls, and documentation, equipping you to independently carry out a thorough risk assessment.
What you will achieve
- Identify workplace hazards through inspections, observations, worker interviews, incident records, Safety Data Sheets, and job hazard analysis (JHA).
- Evaluate risk using a 5x5 matrix, assessing likelihood, potential worst-case severity, and the effectiveness of observed controls.
- Select controls according to the hierarchy of controls, from elimination to personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Create a risk control action plan detailing named owners, deadlines, interim safeguards, and verification processes.
- Document your outcomes and effectively communicate them to both managers and employees.
- Review assessments after changes in the workplace, and ensure controls remain effective.
- Identify when a hazard requires expertise or advanced methods like FMEA, fault tree analysis, or HAZOP.
Practical application, beyond theory
Engage with four case studies to apply the method: an office environment, a warehouse with forklift activity, a maintenance shop storing chemicals, and a capstone bakery assessment which you will complete and then compare against a comprehensive instructor solution. Throughout the course, scenario-based activities prompt you to rate hazards or choose controls before revealing the answers.
Downloadable toolkit
- Workplace Risk Assessment Template (Excel) that automatically calculates risk scores and categories.
- Five-by-Five Risk Matrix (available in Excel and PDF formats).
- Risk Control Action Plan (Excel).
- Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) Worksheet (Excel).
- Workplace Hazard Inspection Checklist (PDF).
- Completed risk assessments for office, warehouse, and chemical storage in PDF format.
- Capstone scenario alongside instructor solution (PDF).
Who this course is for
- Safety coordinators, supervisors, managers, operations personnel, HR professionals with safety duties, and aspiring safety officers. Prior safety training is not required.
- Safety coordinators and supervisors tasked with conducting or evaluating workplace risk assessments.
- Managers and operations staff charged with ensuring safety in various settings including offices, warehouses, shops, retail, or hospitality environments.
- HR professionals accountable for health and safety matters.
- Individuals pursuing a safety officer role, looking to develop practical skills in hazard identification and risk assessment.
- Anyone tasked with conducting a risk assessment who seeks a clear, systematic approach along with ready-to-use templates.
- Health and safety (HSE/EHS) coordinators and students of occupational safety seeking hands-on experience with real-world examples.