Risk assessments are required for a variety of tasks and situations to ensure workplace safety. These include activities classified as high-hazard work, such as building construction, drilling, logging, sawmilling, mining, and power line construction [1]. Additionally, risk assessments are crucial before entering confined spaces, especially hazardous ones, to identify potential hazards and specify necessary safety measures [2]. In laboratory settings, risk assessments are essential prior to working with hazardous chemicals and procedures to evaluate potential hazards and select appropriate controls [3].

Furthermore, employers must conduct workplace first aid risk assessments to determine the level of risk associated with the work and to ensure appropriate first aid personnel, kits, and supplies are available [1]. Tasks involving shift work or constant physical or mental exertion also necessitate risk assessments to evaluate and mitigate potential health and safety risks [4]. Visually demanding tasks require identification and assessment to reduce harmful visual demands on workers [4].

Before starting up new processes or modifying existing ones, a Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) is helpful to improve the design and construction from a reliability and quality point of view [5]. Any changes other than 'replacement in kind' made to the process during shutdown go through the management of change procedures [5].

In general, a hazard identification and assessment methodology should be developed and implemented to identify and assess hazards in the workplace, including ergonomics-related hazards [6]. This methodology should include steps and time frames for identifying and assessing hazards, keeping records of hazards, and reviewing and revising the methodology as necessary [6].