SLSNSW Club Guide

Risk Assessment Components

The following risk assessment components are used within the SLS organisation in Australia to help ensure that all SLSC members completing risk assessments are assessing the level of risk against the same risk score rating system.

Likelihood Rating

Rate the probability of a hazard occurring from Rare to Almost certain against the factors that influence likelihood.

Matrix Reference Descriptor Description
A Almost certain
  • Common or frequent occurrence (‘this happens nearly all the time’)
  • Will probably occur more than once
  • Is expected to occur in most circumstances
  • 100% chance of occurrence
B Likely
  • Likely to occur (‘this has happened a number of times in the past’)
  • High probability that it will occur at least once
  • Might occur in a 2–3 year time frame
  • 10% chance of occurrence
C Possible
  • Could occur (‘this has happened elsewhere/at another SLSC’)
  • Reasonable likelihood that could occur more than once
  • Might occur in a 5-year time frame
  • 1% chance of occurrence
D Unlikely
  • Not likely to occur (‘this is very unlikely to happen’)
  • May occur once or less
  • Might occur in a 10-year time frame
  • 0.1% chance of occurrence
E Rare
  • Practically impossible (‘this could happen in exceptional circumstances’)
  • May occur in exceptional circumstances
  • Could happen but probably never will

Consequence Rating

Rate the severity of a hazard’s impact in various categories from Extreme to Insignificant against the factors that influence consequences.

Matrix Reference Descriptor Description
5 Extreme Incident leading to death, permanent incapacity or disability.
4 Major Major injury or illness leading to long-term incapacity or disability. Victim requires further medical treatment and counselling.
3 High Major Injury or illness. Victim requires further medical treatment and/or counselling.
2 Medium Minor injury or illness. Victim requires minor first aid treatment.
1 insignificant Minor injury or illness. No first aid or further external observation is required.