Who is this article for?

Users who need to perform a risk assessment.

Risk Assessment access isrequired.

Together, risk assessment variables and frequency help organizations and individuals evaluate and prioritise risks, make informed decisions, and implement appropriate risk mitigation measures to reduce the likelihood and impact of adverse events.

This article outlines the steps to configure the variables and frequencies within the system. To make this easier to understand, the article is split into the following sections:

1. About Risk Assessment Variables
2. About Risk Assessment Frequency
3. Adding a New Risk Assessment Variable
4. Setting the Area Frequency
5. Further Reading

1. About Risk Assessment Variables

Risk assessment variables are the specific factors or attributes that are considered when evaluating the potential risks associated with a particular situation, process, or activity. These variables can vary depending on the type of risk assessment being conducted, but they typically include factors like:

• Hazard Identification: This variable involves identifying potential hazards or sources of harm that could lead to adverse events, whether they are physical, chemical, biological, environmental, or related to human behavior.
• Likelihood or Probability: This variable assesses how likely it is for a specific event or hazard to occur. It may be expressed as a probability, frequency, or a qualitative assessment (e.g., low, moderate, high).
• Consequence or Severity: This variable measures the potential impact or severity of the adverse event if it were to occur. Consequences can include harm to people, damage to property, financial losses, and more.
• Exposure or Vulnerability: The level of exposure or vulnerability to the hazard is another important variable. It considers who or what may be affected by the hazard and to what extent.
• Control Measures: The effectiveness of existing control measures or risk mitigation strategies is also considered. This variable assesses whether current safeguards are in place and whether they are effective in reducing risk.

In food and drink manufacturing the risk variables will also typically include:

• Ingredients and Raw Materials: Evaluation of the quality and safety of ingredients and raw materials, considering factors like sourcing, supplier controls, and allergen management.
• Cross-Contamination Risks: Identification of potential sources of cross-contamination, especially in facilities that handle allergens or multiple product lines.
• Packaging and Labeling: Examination of packaging materials, labeling accuracy, and potential risks related to mislabeling, which could lead to allergen exposure or misbranding.
• Regulatory Compliance: Assessment of compliance with food safety regulations, including adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles, and labeling requirements.
• Employee Training and Behavior: Evaluation of employee training in food safety practices and their adherence to hygiene protocols.
• Environmental Factors: Consideration of environmental conditions that may affect food safety, such as temperature control, pest management, and sanitation practices.
• Supply Chain Risks: Evaluation of potential disruptions in the supply chain, including issues related to the quality and safety of raw materials, packaging, or transportation.
• Product Testing and Analysis: The use of laboratory testing and analysis to detect contaminants, pathogens, and other quality issues.
• Consumer Feedback and Complaints: Review of consumer feedback and complaints to identify trends and potential issues with products.

By analysing these variables, risk assessors can make informed decisions about the level of risk associated with a particular situation or process and develop strategies for risk management.

2. About Risk Assessment Frequency

In risk assessment, "frequency" refers to how often a specific event or hazard is expected to occur within a given timeframe. It is often expressed as a rate or a measure of occurrence, such as events per year, per hour, or per million opportunities.

Frequency is particularly important when assessing the likelihood of adverse events or hazards. A higher frequency indicates that an event is more likely to occur, while a lower frequency suggests that the event is less likely to happen.

Example: In a workplace risk assessment, the frequency of workplace accidents might be measured as "accidents per employee per year." In the context of environmental risk assessment, it could refer to the frequency of specific environmental incidents like chemical spills or air emissions.

The frequency of an event is a key factor in determining its risk because it helps assessors prioritize risks. Events with high frequencies and severe consequences are often given greater attention in risk management efforts.

3. Adding a New Risk Assessment Variable

1. Click the Risk Assessment module.
2. Click Risk Assessment Setup & Reports.
3. Click Risk Assessment Variable & Frequency Setup.
4. Expand the Risk Assessment Area.
5. Scroll to the bottom of the section and click Edit.
6. Navigate to the risk assessment topic and click Add New Risk Assessment Variable.
7. Enter the new variable.

8. Click Choose to link the risk to the assessment specification.
9. Set your priority level.
10. Scroll down and click Save.

Need to setup risk assessment areas? Visit Setting Up and Managing Risk Assessment Areas for more details.

4. Setting the Area Frequency

1. Click the Risk Assessment module.
2. Click Risk Assessment Setup & Reports.
3. Click Risk Assessment Variable & Frequency Setup.
4. Expand the Risk Assessment Area.
5. Scroll to the bottom of the section.
6. Set the Area Frequency.

5. Further Reading

• Viewing Change History
• Browsing Archived Information
• Setting Up Risk Assessment Result Parameters
• Setting Total Scores
• Setting Up Risk Mouseovers
• Setting Up and Managing Risk Assessment Areas