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Appendix 2: Risk Assessment of Workplace Violence

Risk Consequence Score - Step 1

Table 3 lists suggestions for a range of potential consequences for a specific descriptor relating to the outcome of workplace violence. This forms step 1 of the Risk Consequence score process.

Table 3: Step 1 of the Risk Consequence Score

Descriptor	1. Insignificant	2. Minor	3. Moderate	4. Major	5. Catastrophic
Injury	No injuries	First aid treatment	Medical treatment	Extensive injuries (hospitalisation)	Death
Human resources/ organisational development	Short term low staffing level temporarily reduces service (<1 day)	Ongoing low staffing level reduces service quality	Minor error due to insufficient training. Ongoing unsafe staffing level	Uncertain delivery of key objective due to lack of staff.  Serious error due to insufficient training	Non-delivery of key objective due to lack of staff. Loss of key staff. High turnover. Critical errors due to training
Adverse publicity/ reputation	Rumours	Local media - short term	Local media - long term	National media < 3 days	National media > 3 days. Government interest.

 

Risk Likelihood Score - Step 2

1	Rare	only occurs in exceptional circumstances, <1%, 1-5 year strategic risk
2	Unlikely	could occur at some time, 1-5%, at least annually
3	Possible	should occur at some time, 6-20%, at least monthly
4	Likely	will probably occur, 21-50%, at least weekly
5	Almost certain	expected to occur, > 50%, at least daily

 

Risk Rating - Step 3

• Insert Likelihood and Consequence scores on your Hazard/Risk assessment (see Appendix 4) and consult the Risk Matrix to determine actions required.
• If a risk falls in one of the boxes numbered 15-25, immediate action is required, taking all practicable steps.
• If a risk falls in one of the boxes numbered 8-14, prompt action is required, taking all practicable steps.
• If a risk falls in one of the boxes numbered 4-6, risk reduction is required, taking all practicable steps.
• If a risk falls in one of the boxes numbered 1-3, further risk reduction may not be feasible or cost effective.

Risk Matrix - Apply Steps 1, 2 and 3 to the matrix to ascertain level of risk

Table 4 combines the results of steps 1, 2 and 3 by applying the risk matrix for each identified hazard. A high score indicates that prompt or immediate action is recommended to effectively reduce the potential for negative outcomes of violence.

	Consequence
Likelihood	1 Insignificant	2 Minor	3 Moderate	4 Major	5 Catastrophic
1. Rare	1	2	3	4	5
2. Unlikely	2	4	6	8	10
3. Possible	3	6	9	12	15
4. Likely	4	8	12	16	20
5. Almost certain	5	10	15	20	25

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