HS&E Operatives practice question: Risk assessments and method statements (2 of 7)
A. Working environment A free question from our original HS&E Operatives practice exam. Try it, then open the answer to see why each option is right or wrong.
During a toolbox talk, your supervisor points to an extension lead trailing across a walkway. They say the lead is a hazard.
Which of these describes the risk?
Choose one answer.
AA. The chance someone trips, and how badly they're hurt
BB. The trailing extension lead lying across the walkway
CC. The name of the person who set up the extension lead
DD. The cost of replacing the lead if it gets damaged
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: A
A. Right: Right. A risk is the chance that a hazard will harm someone, together with how serious that harm could be. HSE asks you to think about both when assessing risks.
B. Wrong: Wrong. The lead is the hazard: something that could cause harm. The risk is how likely that harm is, and how bad it could be.
C. Wrong: Wrong. Knowing who set it up may help put it right, but it is not the risk. The risk is about the chance and seriousness of harm.
D. Wrong: Wrong. Risk assessment is about harm to people, not the cost of equipment. A damaged lead is a hazard in itself, so it should be taken out of use.
Explanation
A hazard is anything that could cause harm. The risk is how likely it is that someone is harmed, and how badly.