A risk assessment identifies potential undesirable incidents, so that measures can be taken to prevent anything from happening and to be prepared for what to do if it happens nonetheless.

A risk assessment should be carried out when you are planning to do something that entails danger or handling something valuable.

Ask yourself: What is valuable? – To you, your place of work or study, individuals or cooperation partners. What do you have in your possession that must not be destroyed, damaged, stolen or misused?

You can perform a simple risk assessment by asking three questions

• What could go wrong?
• What can we do to prevent it?
• What can we do to reduce the consequence if it does happen?

Perform a risk assessment in connection with, for example:

• High-risk work (lab, workshop, clinic)
• Processing of personal data or information that requires a high degree of confidentiality
• Large or controversial events
• High-risk trips, excursions, field work or research cruises
• Change processes in the organisation or changes that may have a bearing on safety and/or security.

Risk management

After completing a risk assessment, it is decisive that the risk of undesirable incidents is addressed. There are several ways of managing risks:

• Reduce the risk by implementing measures that reduce the probability or the consequences
• Accept the risk as it is
• Transfer the risk to others by taking out insurance or similar
• Avoid the risk by discontinuing the high-risk activity