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Risk Evaluation The first stage of the process is to evaluate the risk in probabilistic terms. This is and likelihood of a hazard causing harm (and so the terminology is interchangeable as matter of preference of the user). The probability of harm occurring should consider the time (in terms of duration) and the amount of times (repetition of exposure) that a person is exposed to a an expression of how 'reasonably foreseeable' it is that harm may occur. The ratings, given in the table below, have been expressed in terms of both probability hazard. It follows logically that, if a person is exposed to a hazard for extended periods several times every day, the probability of harm occurring is considerably greater to them than to a person who is exposed to the same hazard for short periods of time two or three times per month. Probability or Likelihood of Harm Occurring
The next stage is to evaluate the extent of the harm that could occur from exposure to the hazard. These values have been expressed in the table below in terms injury description, consequent effect and outcome of that injury in terms of lost time. Any or all of these factors can be used as descriptors and are a matter of preference of the user. Consequence or Severity of Harm
Finally the factors can be multiplied and a risk rating obtained from the product, which can be expressed in numerical terms and in terms of high, medium or low risk, as shown in the table below. The Risk Matrix It should be noted that this is only a tool to give a quantitative value to communicate risk to others; it is not an absolute. There may be cases where a risk is evaluated as borderline, e.g. 4 Low but nearly Medium. If this is the case there is no reason why it should not be moved to the next risk group, i.e. up to Medium, if it is felt that it is warranted.
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