An occupational risk assessment is an evaluation of how much potential danger a hazard can have to a person in a workplace environment. The assessment takes into account possible scenarios in addition to the probability of their occurrence, and the results.[1] The five types of hazards to be aware of are safety (those that can cause injury), chemicals, biological, physical, and ergonomic (those that can cause musculoskeletal disorders).[2]
Risks in a workplace can lead to extremely negative consequences. It can be especially dangerous when a person is exposed to the same hazards routinely. In order to protect employees, hazards need to be first acknowledged and the severity recognized. Occupational risk assessments provide this information, allowing limits for safe levels to be put in place. By maintaining appropriate standards, employees’ well-being is protected. A United States public health organization that conducts occupational risk assessments is the National Institute for Occupational Health and Safety (NIOSH). Though these evaluations often focus on chemicals, they are useful in looking at other hazards.[1]