Occupational safety tool

Risk Assessment & Risk Register (5×5)

Pick the activity, review each hazard against ADPHC’s four risk bands, and adjust the ratings to your own site. Every control that states a code requirement carries the clause it comes from.

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The 5×5 matrix and these bands come from an ADPHC Technical Guideline whose own section 1(a) states that its contents are not mandatory. What binds is Element 2 — Risk Management. Use the bands as the published reference method; the assessment itself remains the employer’s responsibility.

Activity

Permit to work

📋 A permit is required (as "cold work") regardless of the risk score · CoP 21.0

The permit requirement comes from the type of work, not from the score. A low-scoring task of this type still requires one.

Fall of persons from height

Initial risk

20Extreme

Residual risk (after controls)

5Moderate

Do not proceed. The activity stops until the risk is reduced, and senior management approval is required.

Controls

  • Code requirementGuardrail at least 950 mm high, toe board at least 150 mm, and no gap exceeding 470 mm.[CoP 23.0 cl.3.11.2]
  • Code requirementThe edge protection system must withstand 1.25 kN without deflecting below 900 mm.[CoP 23.0 cl.3.11.2]
  • Good practiceFull-body harness with a double lanyard anchored above waist level where collective protection is not practicable.

Falling objects and tools onto persons below

Initial risk

12High

Residual risk (after controls)

4Moderate

A detailed OSH assessment and a remedial plan are required before work begins.

Controls

  • Code requirementBarricade the area below with physical barriers and warning signage, and exclude passage beneath.[CoP 22.0]
  • Good practiceTool lanyards, with toe boards and safety netting around the working platform perimeter.

The 5×5 matrix

Likelihood down, consequence across. Your current rating for the selected hazard is outlined.

Likelihood \ Consequence1Insignificant2Minor3Moderate4Major5Catastrophic
1 Rare
1
2
3
4
5
2 Possible
2
4
6
8
10
3 Likely
3
6
9
12
15
4 Often
4
8
12
16
20
5 Almost certain
5
10
15
20
25

FOUR bands, not three. Scores 7, 13 and 14 are unreachable because they are not the product of any two integers from 1 to 5 — which is why the band ranges have gaps.

Risk bands and required action

  • 1–3 · LowAcceptable under existing operating procedures, with periodic review.
  • 4–6 · ModerateAdditional controls required, with an owner and a timescale assigned.
  • 8–12 · HighA detailed OSH assessment and a remedial plan are required before work begins.
  • 15–25 · ExtremeDo not proceed. The activity stops until the risk is reduced, and senior management approval is required.

ADPHC — Technical Guideline, Process of Risk Management, Table 3, V4.1. The guideline's own s1(a) states its contents are not mandatory; what binds is Element 2 — Risk Management.

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The ratings shipped here are a starting point for a typical Abu Dhabi site, not a verdict on yours. Likelihood in particular depends on your crew, method and supervision — adjust every row before you rely on it.

Controls marked “good practice” are not quoted from a code clause. They are included because they are standard on Abu Dhabi sites — verify them against your own project specification.

Internationally this exercise is often called HIRADC. ADOSH-SF does not use that term — it says risk assessment, risk register, hierarchy of control and ALARP.