Likelihood and Consequence
Using likelihood and severity consistently without turning a risk score into false precision.
How to prepare for Working Safely
Build a simple worker-level sequence: notice the real hazard, identify exposure and harm, use the strongest available control, and report or escalate weakness.
Core concepts
Concept 1
Likelihood considers credible exposure and control reliability, not only whether an event happened before.
Exam cue: Test the rating against evidence about exposure and control condition.
Concept 2
Consequence considers the reasonably foreseeable harm, including serious low-frequency outcomes.
Exam cue: Use the same definitions when comparing risks.
Concept 3
A rating helps prioritise action but does not prove that existing control is suitable.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Reducing the score to make a risk appear acceptable.
Guardrail: Do not normalise a familiar hazard or replace a stronger source control with a warning, procedure or PPE alone.
Ignoring severe outcomes because they are uncommon.
Guardrail: Do not normalise a familiar hazard or replace a stronger source control with a warning, procedure or PPE alone.
Memory anchors
Likelihood Meets Harm
Risk reflects both chance and consequence.
Evidence Before Score
Inspect exposure and controls before choosing a rating.
Rare Can Be Severe
Low frequency does not erase catastrophic potential.
Consistent Scales Matter
Use the same definitions for meaningful comparison.
Score Guides, Not Proves
A number prioritises; judgement selects adequate control.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
What two ideas are combined when judging risk?
A guard has failed twice this week, but no one was hurt. What should influence the likelihood rating?
Why can an uncommon event still require strong control?
Workers cross a vehicle route twenty times per shift rather than twice. What has most clearly increased?
What should a likelihood estimate be based on?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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