Understanding Hazards and Risk Assessments in Engineering

• Engineering
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

Understanding Hazards and Risk Assessments in Engineering

Learning Objectives

• Explain the difference between hazard and risk, 
• Describe risk assessments, and;
• Recognize the importance of risk assessments in the engineering industry.

What do you already know about hazards and risks?

Hazard vs. Risk

A hazard is a potential source of harm or adverse health effect while risk is the likelihood of that harm occurring.

Risk Assessments

Risk assessments are systematic processes to identify, evaluate, and control potential hazards in the workplace or environment.

Purpose of Risk Assessments

Risk assessments are used to prevent accidents, injuries, and occupational illnesses, and to ensure the safety and well-being of workers and the public.

Steps of Risk Assessment

1. Identify hazards 2. Assess the risk 3. Control the risk 4. Review and update

Global Significance

Risk assessments are crucial globally as they help in standardizing safety measures across different countries and industries.

Local Relevance

In the local context, risk assessments ensure compliance with safety regulations and protect workers and the community from potential hazards.

Importance for Engineers

Engineers need to conduct risk assessments to design and implement safe and sustainable solutions while considering potential hazards.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.