Risk Assessment Matrix
Risk Assessment Matrix
Risk Assessment Matrix
1. Identify all Hazards associated with activities in the contract work scope, covering but not
limited to the following:
Nature of the work - work methods, staffing, materials, equipment, tools to be used and
associated hazards e.g. lifting, working at heights, transport, etc;
Nature of the product or service i.e. is the contractor required to perform an HSE critical
activity (such as the design HSE-critical equipment) as opposed to a hazardous activity
(such as working at height);
Location of the work - vicinity of shops, schools, hospitals, offices, houses;
environmentally sensitive locations (beaches, coral reefs, fishing areas, etc), and
associated hazards e.g. H2S, asbestos, chemicals and heat;
Local constraints;
Number of concurrent operations or contractors on site;
Potential consequences environmental harm, injury, illness, asset damage, impact on
local societal sensitivities, reputation with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) or
Governments, etc.
To minimise the assessment effort and to ensure consistency please refer to the relevant
hazards encountered in Appendix A- Hazards and Effects Management Process guidelines
(HEMP).
2. Assess the HSE risk of each Hazard using Appendix B - Risk Assessment Matrix (RAM).
N.B. For guidance please refer to Appendix AHazard and Effects Management Process (HEMP) and B Guidance for Using the RAM
Appendix A Hazards and Effects Management Process (HEMP)
To help guide you, we have listed some activities and hazards that, can be considered when
determining the contracts risk. This list should only be used as a guide, as it does not include all
hazardous activities.
Activity Hazard
Driving/ Transport Dust, road condition, weather, 3rd parties, animals/camels, vehicle
maintenance/condition, driver competence & fitness, load restraining,
driving permit, driving hours, speed, mobile phone use
Material handling, Lifting, Manual handling, spills, fall of load, crane/ forklift failure, sling failure,
loading, unloading air winch failure
Use of hand tools Home made, wrong for the job, wrong size or type
Storage of tools Tool racks, stoppers, conditions, securing mechanisms
Use of machines & Unsecured objects, earthing, un-authorized personnel, moving/ rotating
Equipment parts, noise, vibration, hot surface (high operating temperature),
slippery surface/ trips, compressed air failure, hydraulic power failure
Waste Domestic, medical, batteries, drilling, exhaust fumes
Electrical work Equipment failure, lockout failure, overloading circuit/ cables, incorrect
voltage/ frequency, high voltage.
Working at heights Slips/ trips/ falls, falling objects, condition of ladders, condition and
presence of railings, loose gratings
Pressure testing Release of pressure, release of test fluid, not following manufacturer
guidelines, excessive pressure, stored energy, material failure,
connection failure, calibration failure
Welding, cutting, grinding No gas flash back arrester, gas leaks, unsecured cylinders, welding or
cutting near flammable fluids, fumes, open flame, arcing, UV light,
heat stress, electrical failure
Painting Exposure to paint, painting at height
Confined spaces Lack of Air, H2S
Dealing with chemicals Crude oil & diesel, paints & coatings, oils & greases, solvents, acids,
mud chemicals, completion chemicals, cement, cement chemicals,
shock cards, storage, shading
Cooking Sharp objects, manual handling, steam, smoke, boiling water, boiling
oil, hot surface, slippery surface/ trips, chemicals, electrical appliances,
food contamination, water contamination, flies/ insects, rodents
Accommodation/ Fire, smoking, slippery surface, tripping, electrical appliances,
desert environment flies/insects, spiders, rodents, snakes, scorpions, heat, cold, winds, dust
Gases at surface Hydrogen sulphide, hydrocarbons
Explosives Storage (Security, nonsegregation of explosives, premature
detonation) and transportation (compatibility, shock/stress loading,
nonsegregation of explosives, premature detonation), gun loading &
laying down (e.g. trapped pressure), gun misfire.
Radioactive sources Radioactive sources, storage and transportation
Well intervention Hydrocarbons at surface, high pressure, hydrogen sulphide, ionising
(in addition to above radiation, naturally occurring radioactive materials, ignition sources,
activities) tubular, drill pipe and BHA handling, elevated objects, working out of
direct sight (e.g. in the cellar)
Entry into Confined Spaces Lack of air, H2S
Moving Equipment under Incorrect voltage /frequency, sparking/ earthing
Power Lines
Etc. Etc.
Appendix B Guidance for Use of the RAM
The starting point for a RAM assessment is an understanding of the Hazard in its context (activity,
location etc.), or an understanding of the particular incident being considered.
HSE Risk Assessment Matrix