Hazard Assessment Matrix

Figure 8.2 Excerpt from the US ERA Eurniture Flame Retardants Hazard Assessment Matrix. Reproduced with permission of Clive Davies, US Environmental Protection Agency.

Roland and Moriarty (1990) show how to develop a Hazard Assessment Matrix to determine a Hazard Risk Index using frequency of occurrence and hazard category (see figure 9-3). 

Using the hazard assessment matrix, what is the level of risk for the following activities ... 

Hazard assessment is a consequence analysis for a range of potential hazardous chemical releases, including the history of such releases at the facility. The releases must include the worst-case scenario and the more likely but significant accident release scenarios. A risk matrix can be used to characterize the worst-case and more likely scenarios. 

It is eoncluded that the determination of dioxin-like activity in cleaned sediment extracts using the DR-Luc bioassay has a consistent reproducibility, and can be used as a reliable and robust tool in the hazard assessment of dredged materials in a licensing system. Its advantage over ehemical analysis is that it also detects the effects of combined exposure as well as the effect of unidentified congeners or chemicals present in concentrations below the limit of detection of chemical analysis with a similar mode of action. In addition the use of cleaned sediment extracts circumvents the problem of disturbing sediment matrix effects. 

Like all of the ERPs, i the Reporting Rule ERP calls for determining the nature, circumstances, extent, and gravity of the violation to determine the gravity based penalty. Each individual component is given a score, based on a matrix. The penalty is then adjusted up or down based on factors such as history of prior violations, culpability, ability to pay, and such other matters as j ustice may require. The nature of all Reporting Rule violations is hazard assessments The circumstances reflect the possibility that harm will result from the violations while the extent of a violation depends on the extent of the potential harm.ssi... 

The extent of the violation is determined by consulting a matrix in the 5 ERP, using the nature and production quantity to look up the classification. For a hazard assessment violation where three thousand pounds of substance A were made in each production batch, the extent classification is significant. If a batch takes several days to complete, the day of completion... 

The reason this rather small-scale accident is mentioned next to the two large-scale accidents noted above is that this minor case presents a potential risk. Recalling the risk assessment matrix (Figure 4.2), it is not hard to imagine that such a small-scale accident could have had very serious consequences, ranking it as a potentially extremely hazardous case. In this context, even a small-scale accident could have the potential of an environmental disaster. 

DEVELOPING A HAZARD ANALYSIS AND RISK ASSESSMENT MATRIX... 

Table 14.6 is a Hazard/Risk Assessment Matrix that also includes suggested action levels. It is an adaptation of one of two examples... 

Risk is determined by assessing its two components the severity of harm or damage resulting from a hazard-related event and the probability that the event could occur. Table 15.1 presents a sample Risk Assessment Matrix, illustrating how these two factors are combined to obtain a risk level. A review of the many published risk assessment matrices appears in chapters titled A Primer On Hazard Analysis And Risk Assessment and Risk Scoring Systems in this authors book titled Innovations In Safety Management. 

Earlier in this chapter, reference was made to a speaker who reviewed the hazard analysis and risk assessment methods used in his company, which relied on typical risk assessment and decision-making matrices, to achieve acceptable risk levels. Use of such matrices is a method some organizations apply to arrive at acceptable risk levels. Table 15.1 is an example of such a risk assessment matrix. Using the results from Table 15.1, levels of remedial action or risk acceptance for individual risk categories can be established, as in Table 15.2. 

A Brief Overview of Selected System Safety Analytical Approaches Working with the Risk Assessment Matrix Preliminary Hazard Analysis Energy Flow/Barrier Analysis Failure Modes and Effects Analysis Fault Tree Analysis... 

The inexperienced practitioner can easily enter into too mnch detail too soon (e.g. it is often more efficient to stop the argnment at a solntion, which contains a Compliance Matrix or an FTA, than to hy to replicate these within the GSN). Therefore, the assessor may elect to restrain GSN to a top-level argiunent only and not to repeat each finding which exist in tabular format (e.g. such as in a Fnnctional Hazard Assessment)... 

As far as methods for risk assessment at workplace are concerned. Risk Assessment Matrix method is the most popnlar one. Risk estimation entails evaluating both the severity and frequency of hazardous events. 

A major objective of most of these analyses is to produce meaningful risk assessment data to aid in prioritizing hazards, allocating resources, and evaluating the acceptability of risks associated with these hazards. A common tool for assessing risk is the risk assessment code (RAC). The RAC is the number associated with a given level of severity and a given probability of occurrence as shown on a risk assessment matrix, with severity on one axis and probability on the other (Table 2-1). 

Table 2.3 shows the hazard risk matrix, which incorporates the elements of the hazard severity table and the hazard probability table to provide an effective tool for approximating acceptable and unacceptable levels or degrees of risk. By establishing an alphanumeric weighting system for risk occurrence in each severity category and level of probability, one can further classify and assess risk by degree of acceptance. Obviously, from a systems standpoint, use of such a matrix facilitates the risk assessment process. 

Class " Energy Hazard Risk Assessment Matrix s... 

Assess risk for each hazard applying the approved risk assessment matrix. 

Define the Risk. Conclude with a statement that addresses the probability of a hazards-related incident or exposure occurring, the expected severity of adverse results, and a risk category (e.g., high, serious, moderate, or low). Using a risk assessment matrix for that purpose assists one in communicating on the risk level. 

To emphasize Safety professionals must understand that the definitions of terms for incident probability and severity and for risk levels vary greatly. Thus, they should tailor a risk assessment matrix to suit the hazards and risks and the management tolerance for risk with which they deal. Examples of the definitions used for incident probability and severity are presented here, as well as definitions for risk categories and risk assessment matrices. They are intended to provide safety professionals with a broad base of information from which choices can be made in developing the matrix considered appropriate for their clients needs. 

For Step 2—Assess the Risks—a Risk Assessment Matrix is provided. Its configuration is unusual and it does not duplicate well. The terminology used in the matrix for probability and severity, and for the risk gradings, is identical to that in Table 10 in Chapter 8, A Primer on Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment, with one exception. In the Handbook, M is the designation for Medium Risk, rather than Moderate Risk. We here include Table 10 from Chapter 8 as Table 3. 

B155.1 s Subsection 6.4, Assess Initial Risk, says that risks shall be assessed using a risk scoring system. The Example Risk-Scoring System shown in the standard is taken from MIL-STD-882D. It is identical to the Risk Assessment Matrix depicted in Table 7 in Chapter 8, A Primer on Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment, and shown here as Table 4. 

Element 3—risk assessment. For each identified hazard, the mishap severity and probability or frequency are estabhshed. A mishap risk assessment matrix is used... 

A safety design review process will not be effective until the participants in the review team have acquired knowledge of hazards and risks and agreed on the risk assessment methods and risk assessment matrix to be used. Chapter 7, A Primer on Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment, serves as a basis for the education of team members. Also, a safety design review process can be successfiilly applied only if senior management has been convinced of its value. 

TABLE 2.3 Example of a Hazard Risk Assessment Matrix—Values Can Be Assigned Based Upon Oi anization Preferences... 

Risk Assessment Matrix Ij HAZARD SEVERITY CATEGORIES ) ... 

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