What is the purpose of risk assessment?

The purpose of risk assessment is fundamentally about understanding potential hazards and establishing the appropriate measures to safeguard individuals, animals, and the environment in a laboratory setting. This involves identifying various types of risks that could be present, such as biological, chemical, physical, or even ergonomic hazards. Once these risks are identified, the assessment proceeds to determine the necessary levels of protection required to mitigate those risks.

This process ensures that adequate safety protocols are in place, facilitating a safe working environment for staff and minimizing the potential impact of hazards. Risk assessment is crucial for compliance with regulatory standards and helps in developing effective safety management plans.

While evaluating staff performance, identifying marketing strategies, and assessing financial risks are important aspects in their respective domains, they do not directly pertain to the systematic approach needed to evaluate, understand, and manage risks in a laboratory environment, which is the core objective of a risk assessment.