Risk Assessments for Clients & Staff

Calculation of Risk Severity.

In assessing a RISK you need to take into account two factors:

  1. How serious could an injury be?
  2. How likely is it to occur?

The following would be a rough guideline;

  • High risk: A very serious injury that had a high probability of occurring
  • Medium risk:
    a.) A serious injury unlikely to occur.
    b.) A lesser injury likely to occur.
  • Low risk: Very little or no risk likely to occur.

If you take (1) above as a scale of 1 to 5 (5=high) (2) above as a scale of 1 to 5 (5=high) then multiply them together, this would give a scale as follows:

1 – 8 9 – 17 18 – 25
Low Medium High

Seriousness of Injury

5 Very high potential for multiple death and or wide spread destruction.
4 High causing death or serious injury to an individual i.e. reportable accident under the RIDDOR regulations.
3 Moderate causing injury or disease capable of keeping someone of work for three days or more, may require reporting under RIDDOR regulations.
2 Slight causing minor injuries, i.e. person able to continue work after first aid.
1 No risk of injury or disease.

Likelihood of the event occurring

5 Very likely to happen.
4 Likely to occur i.e. easily predicted with slight carelessness for external event, e.g. vibration.
3 Quite possible, the accident is only likely to occur with help, i.e. if somebody slips, failure to replace a light bulb.
2 Possibly – probability is low to minimal.
1 Not likely at all, there is no real risk and accidents will only occur under freak conditions.
Risk Assessments (pdf)

Land Activities

Archery
Caving
Climbing & Abseil Tower
High Level Ropes & Zip Line
Hill Walking
Land Carting
Mountain Biking
Orienteering
Problem Solving
Rock Climbing

Water Activities

Kayaking
Gorge Adventure
Open Canoeing
Raft Building
Paddleboarding