Deciding what to do.
WHAT ASSESSMENT ESTABLISHES
How likely harm is, and how severe.
WHAT TO PRIORITISE
Anything that could kill or seriously injure.
WHY
Severity matters more than frequency when the outcome is permanent.
WHAT THE ORDER OF CONTROL IS
Remove the hazard Substitute something less dangerous
Engineer a control: guards, barriers, ventilation
Change how the work is done Provide protective equipment
WHY THAT ORDER
Earlier measures protect everyone regardless of behaviour; later ones depend on people.
WHY PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT IS LAST
It protects only the wearer, only when worn, and only if it fits and works.
WHAT THAT MEANS
Relying on it alone is the weakest control available.
WHAT TO ASK FIRST
Whether the hazardous task is necessary at all.
WHAT EXAMPLES SHOW
Work at height avoided by doing it at ground level A hazardous chemical replaced by a safer one A guard fitted rather than a warning sign
WHY SIGNS ARE WEAK
They inform; they do not prevent.
WHAT TO RECORD
The hazard, who could be harmed, existing controls, what more is required, who is doing it and by when.
WHY THAT FORMAT
It converts assessment into action.
WHAT TO AVOID
Assessments written and filed Controls identified and never implemented
WHAT TO CHECK
That controls are actually in place and working.
WHEN TO REVIEW
After any incident, after any change, and periodically.
