3.1 When do we need a risk assessment?

Formal Risk Assessment

No formal risk assessment is required for the following:

1. It is an item of plant/equipment which is manufactured and being used in the way it was intended and is not defined as hazardous plant.
   OR
2. It is a chemical which is being used and managed in accordance with the Safety Data Sheet and not defined as a hazardous chemical.
   OR
3. An activity is considered low risk:
   • There is no expectation that an injury/illness will occur
   • If there was an injury/illness, treatment would be minor/negligible e.g. first aid treatment requiring a band-aid

Formal Risk Assessment is required when:

1. The item of plant/equipment or chemical is used in a different way to how the manufacturer intended, or a chemical being used differently to the Safety Data Sheet; and/or
2. The activity is an event or an activity which requires the co-ordination of several tasks which could impact on the safety of the workers or others in the vicinity of the activity; and/or
3. The activity involves one or more of the following hazards:
   • Animal handling(unpredictable behaviour – kicks, bites)
   • Biological (pathogens, bodily fluids)
   • Boating, risk of drowning
   • Confined space entry
   • Diving work
   • Electrical work on energised electrical equipment
   • Excavation (tunnel, shaft that could collapse)
   • Explosives or Firearms
   • Fall from work at height which would result in injury
   • Hazardous chemicals
   • Hazardous manual activity
   • Hazardous plant
   • Hidden pipes, cables or wiring
   • High Risk travel (DFAT Level 3 – Reconsider travel or Level 4 – Do Not Travel)
   • Hot Work/potential for uncontrolled fire
   • Isolation (work in remote area or on your own in unfamiliar environment; rescue would be difficult)
   • Noise/sound levels greater than safe exposure standards
   • Personal threats (e.g. threat of harm or injury by another person)
   • Psychosocial hazards
   • Radiation
   • Temperature extremes