# Risk assessment matrix

**Source**: https://learninglab.rmit.edu.au/university-essentials/critical-thinking-and-argument-analysis/risk-assessment-matrix/
**Parent**: https://learninglab.rmit.edu.au/university-essentials/critical-thinking-and-argument-analysis/

A risk matrix is a matrix that is used during risk assessment to define the level of risk by considering the category of probability or **likelihood** against the category of consequence **severity**. This is a simple mechanism to increase the visibility of risks and assist management decision making.

Select each item of the interactive risk matrix below to examine the risk of each scenario.

## Interactive risk assessment matrix - zoo scenarios

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Transcript

### Risk assessment matrix interactive – zoo scenarios (interactive overlays transcript)

#### Risk assessment matrix overlays text - Likelihood x Consequence Severity = Risk Impact

*In order of lowest to highest risk*

**01. Highly unlikely x Negligible = Low risk**

An orangutan learns to use sign language, insulting and frightening visitors as they pass by, gesticulating rudely and banging on the glass enclosure.

**02. Unlikely x Negligible = Low risk**

A butterfly from the insect enclosure gets caught in a visitor’s hair resulting in some damage to the butterfly but only causing minor distress to the visitor.

**03. Possible x Negligible = Low risk**

Zoo kiosk coffee is too hot burning several visitors' tongues.

**04. Likely x Negligible = Medium risk**

A visitor forgets to apply adequate sunscreen for a day at the zoo and sustains a moderate sunburn.

**05. Very likely x Negligible = Medium risk**

While on school excursion, a child is separated from the group and gets lost, is found in a distressed state.

**06. Highly unlikely x First aid = Low risk**

A zookeeper forgets to wear protective gloves and is bitten while handling a lizard.

**07. Unlikely x First aid = Low risk**

A severe hailstorm injures several visitors and some animals, all requiring treatment for bruising and concussion.

**08. Possible x First aid = Medium risk**

A child falls into an unfenced pond, swallows dirty pond water, and is covered in mud.

**09. Likely x First aid = Medium risk**

A visitor trips on uneven ground caused by exposed tree roots, sustaining a grazed knee.

**10. Very likely x First aid = Medium risk**

A free-roaming swan attacks a child and steals a sandwich, biting a finger which causes bleeding.

**11. Highly unlikely x Minor injury = Medium risk**

Drinking fountains are contaminated with bacteria causing illness in some visitors.

**12. Unlikely x Minor injury = Medium risk**

A visitor is knocked down while crossing a walkway in the zoo car park by a vehicle travelling at low speed.

**13. Possible x Minor injury = Medium risk**

A photographer roams into a restricted area of the open lemur enclosure to take a better photograph of a young lemur and is attacked by several female lemurs defending their young, resulting in scratches and bites to the face and arms.

**14. Likely x Minor injury = Medium risk**

A child climbs on to a dinosaur display and falls, breaking an arm.

**15. Very likely x Minor injury = High risk**

A zookeeper crashes an electric cart into a tree at low speed, sustaining a leg injury and damaging the tree.

**16. Highly unlikely x Major injury = Medium risk**

A zookeeper contracts a serious virus from a macaque monkey, is admitted to a quarantine ward, and placed on a ventilator.

**17. Unlikely x Major injury = Medium risk**

A poacher sneaks into a safari zoo enclosure to steal rhinoceros horns. He shoots and seriously injures one rhinoceros but gets attacked by the others, causing multiple broken bones and internal injuries.

**18. Possible x Major injury = High risk**

A gorilla escapes a damaged enclosure, attacking multiple visitors, resulting in severe injury.

**19. Likely x Major injury = High risk**

Staff and visitors contract COVID19 from a source at the zoo resulting in hospital quarantine.

**20. Very likely x Major injury = High risk**

An animal handler fails to lock the gate properly during feeding time and is attacked by hungry tigers resulting in serious cuts and internal injuries.

**21. Highly unlikely x Fatality = Medium risk**

Extinct dinosaurs are recreated from DNA trapped in fossilised mosquito blood. They break free from enclosures and rampage throughout the zoo killing staff, animals, and visitors.

**22. Unlikely x Fatality = High risk**

Glass breaks in an aquatic display area causing a flood of glass and water, killing visitors, staff and animals.

**23. Possible x Fatality = High risk**

A visitor falls into a dangerous animal enclosure and is mauled by lions.

**24. Likely x Fatality = High risk**

A visitor or staff member is killed due to anaphylaxis from a wasp or bee sting while walking in zoo gardens.

**25. Very likely x Fatality = Extreme risk**

Directly caused by climate change, an extreme bush fire sweeps through a safari zoo resulting in the death of animals and staff.

The hierarchy of control should be used in conjunction with the risk assessment matrix.

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## Keywords

- [Assessment](https://learninglab.rmit.edu.au/keyword/assessment/)
- [Occupational health and safety (OH&S)](https://learninglab.rmit.edu.au/keyword/ohs/)
- [Risk](https://learninglab.rmit.edu.au/keyword/risk/)

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