How would you identify and manage risk when planning an activity?

• A. Identify hazards, assess probability and impact, prioritise controls, implement mitigations, monitor and adapt.
• B. Do not assess risk; proceed regardless.
• C. Focus only on time constraints, ignoring safety.
• D. Delegate risk assessment to others without involvement.

Answer: (A)

Approaching risk in planning an activity means taking a structured, proactive safety approach. Start by identifying what could go wrong—hazards—and then gauge how likely each hazard is and how severe the consequences would be. This helps you assess overall risk and focus attention where it will have the biggest impact. Next, prioritise controls so the highest risks are addressed first, then implement mitigations such as removing the hazard, substituting with safer options, adding engineering controls, putting in place administrative measures like procedures and training, or using appropriate protective equipment. After those measures are in place, monitor their effectiveness and be ready to adapt if conditions change or new information emerges. This ongoing loop keeps planning resilient and safer, which is essential for any activity.

Proceeding without risk assessment, ignoring safety, or delegating risk work without involvement misses important details and increases the chance of harm. Focusing solely on time or constraints can compromise safety and mission success.