How do you perform a basic risk assessment for a new handling procedure?

• A. Identify hazards, assess likelihood and consequence, implement controls, and re-evaluate.
• B. Ignore hazards and implement only controls.
• C. Only identify hazards.
• D. Only re-evaluate after disposal.

Answer: (A)

A basic risk assessment for a new handling procedure starts by identifying what could cause harm in that procedure—hazards to people, the product, equipment, or the environment. Then you estimate the risk by looking at how likely each hazard is and how serious the potential outcome could be. With that risk picture in mind, you implement appropriate controls to reduce the risk, using the idea of controls in order of effectiveness (from eliminating the hazard to engineering and administrative controls, and finally PPE) as applicable. Finally, you re-evaluate to confirm the controls are working and to catch any changes or new issues.

This approach is the most complete way to manage risk because it combines recognizing hazards, understanding the level of risk, applying safeguards, and checking their effectiveness. If hazards are ignored, there’s no basis to limit risk. If you only identify hazards, you haven’t addressed how to prevent harm. If you only re-evaluate after disposal, you’re postponing action and missing ongoing risk during use.