What is Residual Risk?

If you've ever done a risk assessment, you know the primary goal is to control the risks associated with your job tasks. However, even after implementing health and safety measures, there will always be some residual risk. So, what should you do about it?

Residual risk can be defined as the risk that remains when the rest of the risk has been controlled. Essentially, it's the risk that remains after you've done everything possible to eliminate it.

You may wonder, why is there still a danger even after a thorough risk assessment? The truth is, risk can never be zero. While certain risks can be eliminated, there will always be some degree of danger remaining. It's impossible to remove all risks, but you can manage them to minimize their impact.

When one risk is removed, another may be introduced, and it can become a never-ending cycle. For instance, if you eliminate all steps, people might fall over their shoelaces. Therefore, it's critical to keep residual risk as minimal as possible.

To calculate residual risk, you can use the same method as any other risk assessment. Assessing the likelihood and severity of potential harm can help determine if the residual risk is significant and needs to be managed.

Although residual risk can't be eliminated entirely, it can be controlled. Residual risk is different from inherent risk, which is the danger that can't be managed. In contrast, residual risk can be managed by selecting the best control measures for each job. The objective is to minimize risk as much as possible, not to eliminate it completely.

In conclusion, understanding and managing residual risk is a critical component of health and safety management. By selecting the best control measures and minimizing residual risk, you can keep your employees safe while also ensuring the smooth running of your business.