Risk Assessments

Risk Assessment Requirements

Risk assessments are one of the simplest and most effective ways to keep people safe — yet many organisations still see them as complicated, time‑consuming, or something that only large businesses need. In reality, every workplace, school, club, NGO and community group benefits from a clear, practical approach to identifying hazards and reducing harm.

A good risk assessment isn’t about paperwork. It’s about protecting people, preventing incidents, and creating an environment where everyone feels confident and prepared.

What Is a Risk Assessment?

A risk assessment is a structured process used to identify potential hazards, evaluate the likelihood and severity of harm, and implement controls to reduce or eliminate the risk. It’s a core requirement under Australian Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws and an essential part of responsible operations.

In simple terms: What could go wrong? How bad could it be? How do we stop it?

 

 

The Five Steps of an Effective Risk Assessment

1. Identify hazards

Look for anything that could cause harm — equipment, environments, tasks, behaviours, or external factors.

2. Assess the risks

Consider:

  • How likely is it that harm could occur?

  • How severe would the consequences be?

3. Control the risks

Use the hierarchy of control to choose the most effective measures, starting with elimination and working down to PPE.

4. Implement and communicate

Put your controls in place and make sure everyone understands what’s expected.

5. Review and update

Risks change. Regular reviews ensure your controls remain effective and relevant.

 

Meeting legal Risk Assessment obligations

 

  • Ascent First Aid is here to support you in meeting your legal risk assessment obligations, providing practical advice, quality training, and solutions tailored to your workplace and its specific risks.
  • We can help you develop comprehensive risk assessment plans specific to your requirements, ensuring all potential hazards are identified and appropriate controls are put in place.
  • If your existing risk assessments need updating or reviewing, we can assist in evaluating current practices and suggesting improvements to enhance workplace safety.

  • Risk assessments should be documented (often as a formal report or register) and communicated to all relevant workers, especially those exposed to the identified risks.

  • Someone at the workplace should be responsible for review: checking the effectiveness of controls, updating assessments after incidents or changes, and ensuring ongoing compliance.

Common Hazards That Organisations Overlook
  • Manual handling tasks

  • Slips, trips, and falls

  • Poorly maintained equipment

  • Inadequate first aid resources

  • Environmental risks (heat, weather, wildlife)

  • Behavioural risks (fatigue, stress, inexperience)

  • Emergency response gaps

These are often simple to fix once identified — but only if someone takes the time to look.

Risk Assessments and First Aid Preparedness

A strong risk assessment directly informs your first aid planning. It helps determine:

  • The type and quantity of first aid kits required

  • The number of trained first aiders

  • The most relevant training (e.g., CPR, asthma, anaphylaxis, remote area first aid)

  • Emergency procedures and communication plans

  • Additional equipment such as AEDs, trauma kits, or specialised supplies

When your risk assessment and first aid strategy work together, your organisation becomes safer, more resilient, and better prepared for the unexpected.

How Ascent First Aid Can Help

At Ascent First Aid, we specialise in making safety simple, practical, and tailored to your environment. We offer:

  • Professional support for risk assessments for workplaces, schools, clubs, Churches, NGO, Government Departments and community groups

  • WHS‑aligned recommendations that are easy to understand and implement

  • Tailored first aid solutions, including kits, equipment, AEDs and training

  • Friendly, hands‑on support from a trainer who understands real‑world risks

Whether you’re starting from scratch or updating existing procedures, we help you build a safer space with confidence.