Which sequence correctly describes a basic risk assessment process?

Which sequence correctly describes a basic risk assessment process?

• A. Implement Controls, Monitor Effectiveness, Identify Hazards, and Assess Severity.
• B. Identify Hazards, Assess Severity and Likelihood, Determine Risk Level, Implement Controls, and Monitor Effectiveness.
• C. Identify Hazards, Implement Controls, Determine Risk Level, Assess Severity and Likelihood.
• D. Assess Severity and Likelihood, Determine Risk Level, Identify Hazards, and Monitor Effectiveness.

Answer: (B)

A basic risk assessment follows a clear sequence: first you identify hazards—the sources of potential harm in a task or environment. Once hazards are known, you evaluate how serious the consequences could be (severity) and how likely they are to occur (likelihood). This combination gives you the risk level, which informs what controls are needed to reduce the risk. After implementing those controls, you monitor their effectiveness to confirm the risk is actually lowered and to catch any new hazards or failures, prompting re-evaluation if needed. This sequence—Identify hazards, assess severity and likelihood, determine risk level, implement controls, and monitor effectiveness—is why the option that lists those steps in that order is the best fit. The other options move steps out of order (for example, trying to implement controls before hazards are identified, or assessing severity/likelihood after monitoring, which doesn’t make sense) and don’t reflect the logical flow of reducing risk through informed actions and verification.

A basic risk assessment follows a clear sequence: first you identify hazards—the sources of potential harm in a task or environment. Once hazards are known, you evaluate how serious the consequences could be (severity) and how likely they are to occur (likelihood). This combination gives you the risk level, which informs what controls are needed to reduce the risk. After implementing those controls, you monitor their effectiveness to confirm the risk is actually lowered and to catch any new hazards or failures, prompting re-evaluation if needed.

This sequence—Identify hazards, assess severity and likelihood, determine risk level, implement controls, and monitor effectiveness—is why the option that lists those steps in that order is the best fit. The other options move steps out of order (for example, trying to implement controls before hazards are identified, or assessing severity/likelihood after monitoring, which doesn’t make sense) and don’t reflect the logical flow of reducing risk through informed actions and verification.