What is the purpose of a risk assessment?

The purpose of a risk assessment is to estimate the amount of risk involved with an activity. This process involves analyzing various factors, such as the likelihood of an incident occurring and the potential consequences if it does. By assessing risk, lifeguards and facility managers can prioritize their safety measures and allocate resources effectively to mitigate those risks. This is vital in ensuring a safe environment for both staff and patrons. Understanding and estimating risk allows for informed decision-making regarding safety protocols and emergency preparedness.

While identifying potential violations of health regulations, determining safety measures, and evaluating employee performance are all important aspects of maintaining safety in a facility, they are not the primary goal of a risk assessment itself. Instead, they may be components of a broader safety management system that follows the insights gained from a risk assessment.