Step 2 — Evaluating and prioritizing risks

Not all of the identified risks and hazards will have the same importance nor can they all be addressed at the same time. It is recommended to prioritize within the risks and hazards and to agree which ones should be tackled first. Improving the working conditions should be seen as a continuous improvement process of your facility, which starts with more urgent risks and hazards and continuously moves on to other related topics to establish a safe, healthy and productive work environment. 

Example: Ergonomically designed workplaces help to prevent musculoskeletal disorders. 

How do I evaluate risks? 

Look at each individual risk you identified for the tasks performed and determine if measures have to be taken. 

You can categorize, for example, risks into three categories. Are they: 

a) negligible? 

b) acceptable for a short time? 

c) not acceptable? 

This depends on the probability and severity of potential accidents or health problems caused by the risk. If a risk is not acceptable you will have to take immediate measures. On the other hand, if a risk is acceptable for a short time, it can be addressed at a later date.