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This final assessment is designed to test your knowledge. In order to pass you'll need to achieve a score of at least 80%. We recommend that if you don't succeed after three attempts, you take the opportunity to revisit the learning materials before giving it another try.

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Knowledge Check

What is the difference between a hazard and a risk?

A hazard is something that might cause harm, while risk is the likelihood and severity of that harm occurring

A hazard is a minor danger, while a risk is something more serious

A hazard relates to equipment, while a risk relates to people

A hazard is identified through inspection, while a risk requires an accident to happen first

What are the five steps in the risk assessment process?

Identify hazards, assess risks, implement controls, monitor results, celebrate success

Identify hazards, decide who might be harmed, evaluate risks, record findings, review and update

Survey the workplace, consult employees, create policies, train staff, audit compliance

Spot dangers, eliminate risks, document everything, train managers, review annually

What is the hierarchy of control, and why is it important?

A ranking system that shows which controls are most effective, starting with elimination at the top

A list of people responsible for different types of hazards in the workplace

A timeline showing when different safety measures should be implemented

A priority list of which hazards should be addressed first based on severity

Why is risk assessment described as an ongoing responsibility rather than a one-time task?

Legal requirements change frequently and assessments must be updated to stay compliant

Workplaces change, new hazards emerge, and controls may deteriorate over time

Different team members need to practise conducting assessments to build skills

Insurance companies require quarterly reviews of all risk assessments

What is the primary purpose of documenting risk assessment findings?

To satisfy legal requirements and avoid potential fines

To create evidence that management takes safety seriously

To communicate clearly what hazards exist, who's at risk, what controls are in place, and what actions are needed

To provide material for safety training sessions and induction programmes

When should a risk assessment be reviewed and updated?

Every 12 months as a minimum legal requirement

Whenever someone new joins the team or changes roles

Only when a regulator requests an updated version during an inspection

When there's a significant change, after an incident, when controls fail, or if you think it's no longer valid

You're conducting a risk assessment for a new storage area. You've identified that heavy items are stored on high shelves, creating a potential falling object hazard. What should you consider when evaluating who might be harmed?

Consider anyone who enters the area, including delivery drivers, contractors, cleaning staff, and occasional visitors

Only consider staff who work in the storage area regularly

Focus primarily on less experienced workers who might not understand the dangers

Only consider people who will be reaching up to the high shelves themselves

Your workplace has identified noise from machinery as a significant hazard. Using the hierarchy of control, which of these solutions should be considered first?

Provide all employees with high-quality hearing protection

Create a hearing protection policy and train staff on its importance

Replace the noisy machinery with quieter modern equipment if feasible

Install acoustic panels around the machinery to absorb sound

You work in an office environment. A colleague suggests risk assessments aren't really necessary for offices since "it's just desks and computers - what could go wrong?" How would you respond?

Agree that offices are low-risk and risk assessments are mainly for warehouses and factories

Explain that offices have numerous hazards including trips, DSE issues, fire risks, stress, and manual handling

Suggest that risk assessments are just a legal formality that management handles

Point out that accidents can happen anywhere, so it's better to be cautious

Your organisation conducted comprehensive risk assessments two years ago. Since then, you've introduced new software that's significantly changed how people work, and three people have reported eyestrain and headaches. What does this situation tell you?

The original assessments were inadequate and should have predicted these issues

Individual health complaints aren't relevant to risk assessment - people should see their doctors

Technology issues aren't covered by risk assessments - this is an IT problem

The assessments need reviewing because significant changes have occurred and potential new risks have emerged

Your risk assessment identifies that staff regularly carry heavy archive boxes up stairs, creating a manual handling risk. You've documented several possible controls. Which represents the best application of the hierarchy of control?

Train all staff on proper lifting technique and provide back support belts

Install a small goods lift to transport boxes between floors, eliminating the need to carry them on stairs

Create a policy limiting how many boxes can be carried at once and requiring two-person lifts for heavy items

Designate the fittest team members to handle all the heavy box movements

You're a team leader who's been asked to conduct a risk assessment for your area. Several team members say "we've done this job for years without problems - risk assessment seems like unnecessary paperwork." How should you respond?

Explain that risk assessment helps identify hazards before they cause harm, and fresh eyes often spot issues normalised through familiarity

Acknowledge their experience and suggest a quick assessment to satisfy requirements

Agree that experienced teams probably don't need formal assessments

Point out that it's a legal requirement, so their opinions don't change the need to do it

During a risk assessment of your workshop, you identify that emergency exits are sometimes partially blocked by work-in-progress items that staff move there temporarily. When you mention this, colleagues say they always move items quickly and know where exits are. How would you assess this risk?

Low risk - staff are aware and have good practices for moving items quickly

Medium risk - it's a problem but can be managed through better communication

Significant risk - exit blocking is always serious regardless of duration or awareness, because emergencies are unpredictable

Low risk initially but should be monitored to ensure practices don't deteriorate

You've completed a risk assessment that identifies several hazards requiring control measures. Your manager approves implementing three of the five controls you've recommended but says the other two are "nice to have" rather than essential. What should you consider in deciding your response?

Accept the decision - managers have broader perspectives on organisational priorities

Evaluate whether the approved controls adequately reduce risk to acceptable levels, or if the rejected controls are necessary for adequate protection

Implement the three approved measures first and revisit the other two next year

Insist all five measures are equally important since you included them in your assessment

Almost there! You haven't reached 80% yet, take some time to review the content and try again when you're ready