The Five Step Risk Management Process

Preparation

• define the context
• identify activity/task/work area/personnel to be assessed  

Step 1: Identify all hazards by:  

• observing, inspecting, investigating, communicating and consulting; and  
• making a record of the hazards identified.  

Step 2: Assess the risks these hazards create by:  

• assessing and prioritising the risks;  
• dealing with the highest priority risks first; and  
• dealing with less risks or least significant risks last.  

Step 3: Decide on measures to control the risks by:  

• eliminating the risk;  
• • if elimination of the risk is not possible, select these control measure in the following order of preference
  • • Substitution
    • Isolation (not administrative)
    • Minimisation by engineering means
    • Application of administrative measures and
    • Use of Personal Protective Equipment

Step 4: Implement appropriate control measures should: 

• adequately control the risks;  
• not create other risks; and  
• allow workers to do their work without undue discomfort or distress.  

Step 5: Monitor the control measures and review the process:  

A: Monitor  

B: Review  

The five steps can be applied in all types of workplaces, but in some cases it may be more effective to perform more than one step at a time. The way the risk management process is implemented can depend on the type of business activity and tasks involved at the workplace. For example, a small business may deal with its hazards differently to a very large business.