When do you prepare a Task Risk Analysis?

A Task Risk Analysis (TRA) is an assessment of hazards that may arise when performing high-risk, new, or uncommon tasks. With a simple approach, unsafe work situations can be prevented and, moreover, work can be done effectively.
A TRA is a generic instrument that makes every employee of an organization aware of possible hazards when performing work.

What is the purpose of a Task Risk Analysis?

The purpose of a TRA is ultimately to perform a task, or set of functions, safely.
Safe for people but also for the environment. By thinking preventively about all the possible risks, working arrangements are made that lead to the flawless execution of the task. The advantages of a TRA are therefore not only a safe workplace for the employee but also efficient performance without loss of time.

In addition, good TRAs form an excellent knowledge base for the organization in order to maintain the level of ready knowledge or to be able to train new employees quickly.
Partners in the chain will also be pleasantly surprised when these TRAs are made available.

What does the Task Risk Analysis consist of?

Important elements of a good Task Risk Analysis are:

• The proper definition of the task;
• Establishing useful definitions for probability and effect;
• Team with various disciplines to perform TRA;
• Record risks and measures unambiguously and concisely;
• Report with results and actions;
• Time to perform the TRA in a timely manner and implement the measures.

When to make a TRA.

Always thinking about a decision on whether a Task Risk Analysis is needed when performing the work is already an important step. It prevents routine work. Nevertheless, you do not prepare a TRA for every task. It goes without saying that it is a wise decision when performing risky, new or unusual tasks.

In addition, there are sometimes obligations from the client or, for example, certification to draw up or have available a Task Risk Analysis.

How do you prepare a Task Risk Analysis?

A Task Risk Analysis starts with a global brainstorming session where possible causes are identified that could pose a risk to the execution of the task.

Often a diagram is drawn up. Then the risks are roughly quantified as a function of Chance and Effect. The result is a risk expressed in risk points. It is now up to the organization to assess whether this number is acceptable or whether measures must be taken to reduce the risk number to an acceptable level. These measures must be implemented before starting to carry out the task.

Forms for a TRA

Risk assessments can be easily recorded with HeyForm. By using role menus, risk matrix, standard measures, and the possibility to actually deploy action in the organization, including mandatory sign-off, the TRA process is fully supported.

A paper version for the shop floor is printed in no time. With HeyForm, you also have all TRAs directly collected in a knowledge base. Because of the generic approach, you can easily adapt the TRAs to more extensive risk analysis, such as FMEA, or use the risk matrix in a Management of Change process.

A number of detailed examples can be downloaded directly from our library of digital checklists.