Likelihood and severity

Table 1

Table 2

Table 3

Table 4

Very likely

Exposure to hazard likely to occur frequently (daily - weekly)

Likely

Exposure to hazard likely to occur but not frequently (weekly - monthly)

Unlikely

Exposure to hazard unlikely to occur (monthly - yearly)

Highly unlikely

Exposure to hazard so unlikely that it can be assumed that it will not occur (yearly - 2 yearly)

Catastrophic

Hazard may cause death or total loss of one or more bodily functions (eg loss of use of arm, leg or sight). Requires more than 4 months off work.

Critically

Hazard may cause severe injury, permanent partial loss of one or more bodily functions (eg noise induced hearing loss, severe illness) or major property damage. Requires 2 weeks - 4 months off work.

Major

Hazard may cause a reportable incident, ie an incident that could result in either the employee being unable to undertake normal duties for 5 days or more or significant property damage.

Minor

Hazard may cause either minor injury or illness (1-5 days off work) or property damage.

Negligible

Hazard has very little effect on employee safety or health; a first aid only incident with less than 30 minutes off work.