Lesson previewBuild a Risk Assessment That Can Change the Operation1 section shown
Preview lesson
Build a Risk Assessment That Can Change the Operation
What you will learn
Turn a proposed operation into a traceable chain from hazard and exposure through likelihood, consequence, controls and a supported go, alter, delay or stop decision.
A useful risk assessment changes preparation or action; it is not a retrospective form and it is not complete when it merely names hazards.
MGN 636 describes four required parts of risk assessment: identify hazards, assess likelihood of harm, assess consequences and identify measures that reduce risk so far as is reasonably practicable. The assessment must fit the actual work and people. For a commercial small-vessel operation that can include the vessel, route, berth, forecast, tide, visibility, equipment, crew capacity, passengers, other water users, environmental exposure and realistic emergency options.
Keep the parts distinct. A hazard is a source of harm; a person, vessel or environment is exposed under particular conditions; likelihood and consequence describe the risk before and after controls. 'Wet deck' is not a complete assessment. The useful chain asks who will move there, when, with what support, what could happen, which controls genuinely change exposure and what uncertainty remains.
The current Sport or Pleasure Vessel Code requires operation-appropriate assessment, including circumstances and local conditions not otherwise covered, and consideration of people who may be more susceptible to injury. Different codes, certificates, operators and local authorities can govern different vessels. This module cannot determine the live framework, calculate an acceptable risk score or approve a real operation.
Risk-control decision trace
Reopen the operation when evidence changes
Select a constructed case. Compare the observation, exposure, existing controls, uncertainty, trigger and owned next state.
Forecast worsens
Before a passenger trip, a forecast update brings the expected return conditions close to the operator's controlled weather boundary. The berth becomes harder to use later in the tide.
- 1Observe
- 2Expose
- 3Check controls
- 4Name uncertainty
- 5Apply trigger
- 6Decide and own
- Observe
- Preserve the update time, source, forecast range and berth or tide facts; do not reduce the evidence to a weather icon
- Expose
- Passengers, crew workload, return access, route timing and credible alternatives can all be affected together
- Check controls
- Verify the applicable certificate and operator limits, review points, route alternatives and shore communication plan
- Name uncertainty
- Forecast timing and severity remain uncertain, and waiting may remove the earlier-return or delay option
- Apply trigger
- Use the pre-defined observation and latest useful decision point before the controlled boundary or viable alternative is lost
- Decide and own
- The master and operator route makes and records a fresh hold, shorten, delay or cancel decision and communicates it clearly
Supported next state
The forecast update reopens the whole-operation decision while credible alternatives remain, rather than becoming a late justification.
Authority boundary
This case does not provide a safe wind, wave, visibility, tide or berth limit or decide whether a real trip may proceed.
Constructed revision cases only; the board cannot perform a live risk assessment, set an operating limit or authorise a vessel decision.
Worked example
A passenger with reduced mobility will board across a short floating pontoon. Rain is forecast, the handhold changes halfway along the route and the vessel is moving in a fresh crosswind.
- 1Name the exposed task and conditions: one person's transfer from shore to cockpit, wet surfaces, changing hand support, relative movement and limited recovery space.
- 2State credible harm and uncertainty without diagnosing capability: a slip or uncontrolled step could cause impact, immersion or injury, and the person's safe support needs have not yet been confirmed.
- 3Consider controls in order: avoid or change the transfer point or timing; reduce movement and exposure; provide competent coordinated assistance and a clear route; then use suitable personal equipment where required by the real system.
- 4Confirm the controls with the person and crew, define the condition that stops boarding, and record or communicate the changed plan through the operator's process.
Sense check: A generic instruction to 'take care' leaves the moving vessel, wet route, support transition and stop trigger unchanged.
| Assessment field | Useful evidence | Weak substitute |
|---|---|---|
| Task and context | Who does what, where, when and under which conditions | Boarding risk |
| Hazard and exposure | Source of harm plus the person, vessel or environment exposed | Slippery |
| Likelihood | Why harm is credible under these actual conditions | Unlikely |
| Consequence | Credible outcome and who or what is affected | Could be bad |
| Controls | Measures that change the source, exposure or recovery | Be careful |
| Residual decision | Remaining uncertainty, owner, trigger and supported next state | Low risk |
Write the chain before choosing the answer
For one planned task, make every link visible before deciding whether the operation can proceed unchanged.
1. Expose
Name the task, hazard, people or assets exposed and the actual conditions.
2. Evaluate
Separate likelihood and consequence, including material uncertainty and more susceptible people.
3. Control
Choose measures that change exposure, then name the remaining decision, owner and review trigger.
Sense check: If removing one adjective would make the assessment fit any vessel or any trip, it is probably not operation-specific enough.
Common mistake or limitation
- Completing a matrix after deciding and using the score to justify the preferred operation.
- Naming a hazard without the exposed person, condition, credible harm or control dependency.
- Assuming this classroom chain calculates acceptability or satisfies every code, employer, Certifying Authority or local requirement.
Recap
- Assess hazard, likelihood, consequence and controls for the actual operation and people.
- Keep the pre-control risk, control effect and residual uncertainty visible.
- A useful assessment changes preparation, operation or the decision.
- The applicable law, code and controlled operator system remain authoritative.
Optional quick check
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