Manage Your Risks (Hazards)
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      3. Manage Your Risks (Hazards)

      What is the Risk Severity Rating?

      Understanding each severity rating for your risks in Onside

      When setting up your risk register, each risk you add will have a 'Risk Management' section, and within this, the Risk Severity Rating for that risk. This is completely internal to the admins on your account and not visible to visitors.

      Risk severity - no border (1)


      The risk severity rating is important because it advises you and your staff what level of action needs to be taken and how urgently. You would treat a low risk very differently to a critical risk after all. 

      The risk severity rating calculation is based on the Consequence and Likelihood chosen, as per this matrix;

      What are the definitions of the levels?

      Consequences

        • Insignificant - No or minor injury, no first aid required.
        • Minor - Minor injury, first aid treatment required.
        • Moderate - Injury, possible hospitalisation, days lost.
        • Major - Immediate hospital transfer or multiple serious injuries.
        • Extreme - Fatality(s).
      Likelihood
        • Rare - Could occur under combination of circumstances.
        • Unlikely - Possible but unlikely.
        • Possible - The event might occur.
        • Likely - The event will likely occur.
        • Almost Certain - The event has a very high chance of occurring.

      What should I do for each severity rating?

      Critical Immediate action - isolate scene - investigate, controls. Eliminate, substitute or engineering controls. Resolve within 24 hours
      High Act immediately to mitigate the risk. Either eliminate,  substitute, or engineer controls. If these controls cannot be implemented immediately, set a timeline and put interim risk reduction plans in the meantime. Apply time to resolve. Resolve within 2 weeks
      Medium Take reasonable steps to mitigate the risk, with elimination, engineering, substitution, administrative or PPE controls. Lower level controls should not be considered a permanent strategy and must be reviewed at least bi-annually.  Resolve within 1 month
      Low Take reasonable steps to mitigate and monitor the risk. Permanent controls can be administrative in nature. Resolve as practical, within 2 months


      For a more in-depth look at legislation around control measures, as per the New Zealand Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016, click here.

      If you have any questions or need any help, you can reach us on 0800 ONSIDE (NZ), 1800 112334 (AU), or email Support@onside.co