What is the first step in the Risk Assessment process?

The first step in the Risk Assessment process is to identify hazards. This is crucial because recognizing potential sources of harm is necessary before you can analyze their impacts and determine appropriate control measures. The identification phase involves thoroughly examining the environment, practices, and operations to pinpoint anything that could pose a risk to safety or health.

Understanding what hazards exist allows for a more targeted and effective risk assessment process. It serves as the foundation for the subsequent steps, which include assessing the severity and likelihood of the risks associated with those hazards, developing controls, and implementing them. Without first identifying hazards, it would be impossible to perform a comprehensive risk evaluation or to put in place effective measures to mitigate those risks.