Understanding the Different Types of Risk Assessments

When it comes to managing risk in the workplace, not all risk assessments are created equal. Depending on the task, industry, or level of complexity, we need different tools in our risk toolbox.

In this article, we’ll break down the different and most common types of risk assessments; Traditional Risk Assessment, WRAC, JSEA, SWMW, Bowtie, HAZOP, HAZID, and personal risk assessments like SLAM and Take 5—so you can understand when to use each, and why.

Traditional Risk Assessment

Traditional risk assessments are often the first step organisations take to understand their hazards and risks. They're typically high-level and use a simple risk matrix to assess likelihood vs consequence.

This approach is:

Common in many industries
Often qualitative
Based on known hazards and perceived severity

Use it when: You need a general overview or you're meeting basic compliance requirements.

Limitation: It’s often subjective, relies on assumptions, and doesn’t always identify specific control failures.

Risk assessment Example SRA Global — Example Risk Assessment

WRAC – Workplace Risk Assessment and Control

WRAC is a more structured approach that brings a team together to evaluate hazards and controls in a systematic way. It’s commonly used in mining, construction, and manufacturing.

It focuses on:

Hazard identification
Consequence description
Existing controls
Risk rating
Control adequacy and recommendations

Use it when: You’re reviewing tasks, processes, or systems and want a collaborative and semi-quantitative method.

Limitation: WRAC can still miss causal pathways or interactions between risks and controls unless coupled with more analytical tools.

JSEA – Job Safety and Environmental Analysis / JHA - Job Hazard Analysis

JSEA (also called a JSA or JHA) breaks down a job into steps, identifies hazards for each step, and puts controls in place to manage them.

It’s task-focused and includes:

Step-by-step analysis
Hazards and controls for each task
Environmental considerations

Use it when: Planning routine or non-routine tasks that involve multiple hazards or coordination.

Limitation: It often becomes a “tick-and-flick” document unless well-integrated into planning and communication.

JSA JHA Example SRA Global — Job Safety Analysis (JSA) / Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) Example

SWMS – Safe Work Method Statement

Mandatory for high-risk construction work under WHS legislation, a SWMS documents how risks will be managed safely.

Includes job steps, hazards, controls, and responsible persons
Legal requirement under WHS Regulation 299
Must be communicated and understood before work starts

Limitation: Many are written just to ‘tick the box’—not to actually manage risk. If your SWMS is 20 pages long and no one reads it, it’s not effective.

SWMS Safe Work Method Statement Example SRA Global — SWMS Safe Work Method Statement Example

Bowtie Risk Analysis

Bowtie risk analysis provides a visual representation of how a hazard can lead to an unwanted event and what controls are in place to prevent or mitigate the consequence. Bowties are also used in incident investigation.

It includes:

Hazards
Threats (causes)
Preventing controls
The ‘Top Event’
Mitigating controls
Consequences

Use it when: You want to understand cause and effect, assign critical controls, or develop performance standards.

Limitation: Requires expertise and time to do well—but it’s worth it for high-risk scenarios or critical risks.

Risk Bowtie Analysis Example SRA Global — Risk Bowtie Analysis Example

HAZOP – Hazard and Operability Study

HAZOP is a formal, detailed, and structured technique used in process industries to assess design and operational risks.

It involves:

Multidisciplinary team workshops
Guidewords (e.g., more, less, none)
Deviation analysis
Cause and consequence identification
Safeguards and actions

Use it when: You’re designing or modifying complex systems like chemical processing, energy generation, or infrastructure.

Limitation: It’s time-consuming and resource-intensive—best suited for large-scale or technical projects.

HAZID – Hazard Identification Study

HAZID is a high-level, early-phase review to brainstorm potential hazards. It’s less technical than HAZOP but often used to inform design and project planning.

Conducted early in project lifecycle
Involves multidisciplinary teams
Supports safety-in-design and early mitigation

Limitation: Not always sufficient on its own—HAZID is more about what could go wrong, not how it might play out.

HAZID Example SRA Globla — HAZID Example

Personal Risk Assessments: SLAM and Take 5

These are dynamic, frontline tools used by workers to assess risks in real-time.

SLAM (Stop, Look, Assess, Manage): Encourages mindfulness, observation, and decision-making before starting a task.
Take 5: A quick checklist workers complete before starting work, focusing on task-specific hazards and controls.

Use it when: You want to promote personal accountability and hazard awareness for everyday tasks.

Limitation: Can become ineffective if rushed or seen as a formality. Needs a strong safety culture to support real use.

Personal Risk Assessment Examples SRA Global — Personal Risk Assessment Examples

So… Which Risk Assessment Should You Use?

The right tool depends on your task, risk profile, and desired outcome.

Situation	Best Fit
Quick daily check before work	SLAM / Take 5
Routine or one-off tasks	JSEA / JHA / SWMS
Operational or team reviews	WRAC
Visualising cause-effect pathways	Bowtie
Early-stage project review	HAZID
Technical process safety analysis	HAZOP
High-level organisational scan	Traditional Risk Assessment

Are You Using the Right Tools?

Have you ever considered whether your current assessments are actually helping you manage risk or just meeting compliance? If your risk assessments feel like paperwork, it’s time to lift the game.

Let us help you build a risk assessment framework that actually reduces risk, not just fills in boxes. From workshops to tailored audits, we specialise in practical, modern risk tools that make a real impact.