Topic 2: Risk assessment process
Overview
This topic provides an overview of the risk assessment processes. The risk assessment process contains the steps of establishing the context, risk identification, risk analysis, risk evaluation and risk treatment. This process is underpinned by the requirement for ongoing communication and consultation, monitoring and review during each step of the process.
Each step in this process is furthered explained in Topics 3-10.
This topic begins by exploring the relationship between community, hazards and environment. We make the point that one must take into account the interactions that occur between these three factors when analysing hazards, which also forms an integral part of the risk assessment process.
A consideration of these interactions is essential to the process of risk assessment, and Topic 2 presents a broad framework for this process.
The Topic ends by returning to the context in which risk assessment occurs-the many disasters that take place around the world, and which provide first hand data on the nature of hazards and their effects.
Learning outcomes
After completing the work for this Topic, you should be able to:
- describe the relationship between a community, hazards and the environment;
- describe the steps in the risk assessment processes;
- explain why it is necessary to use a rational process for analysing hazards and assessing risks.;
- explain why communication and consultation, monitoring and review are essential aspects of the emergency risk management process.