Summary
Risk assessment is the process of identifying hazards, evaluating the likelihood and consequence of harm, and implementing controls. It is a legal requirement and a core supervisory skill.
What This Means on Shift
Before any non-routine task, a risk assessment must be completed. For routine tasks, the risk assessment is embedded in your standard operating procedures. As a supervisor, you must ensure risk assessments are completed, understood by your team, and that controls are in place before work starts.
- Risk assessments are required before non-routine or high-risk tasks
- The hierarchy of controls must be applied (eliminate first, then substitute, etc.)
- Workers must be involved in the risk assessment process
- Controls must be implemented before work starts — not after
- Review the risk assessment if conditions change
Where to Find It
Risk assessment requirements are embedded throughout the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 and Regulations. The general duty in section 9 requires supervisors to take reasonable steps, which includes risk assessment. Regulation 3.1 covers hazard identification and risk management.
- Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994 – s.9 (general duty)
- Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 – r.3.1 (hazard identification)
- Your site's risk management procedure
Key Points
The hierarchy of controls is: Eliminate, Substitute, Isolate, Engineer, Administer, PPE. Always work from the top of the hierarchy. PPE is the last resort, not the first response.
- Eliminate the hazard if possible — this is always the best control
- Substitute with something less hazardous if elimination is not possible
- Isolate the hazard from people
- Engineer controls (guards, barriers, interlocks)
- Administrative controls (procedures, training, supervision)
- PPE is the last resort — it protects only the wearer