What is a risk assessment and when should it be performed?

• A. A personal opinion.
• B. A systematic review of hazards for the planned activity; performed after the trip.
• C. A systematic review of hazards for the planned activity; performed before every trip and adjusted as conditions change.
• D. A weather forecast.

Answer: (C)

A risk assessment is a deliberate, systematic look at the hazards associated with a planned activity and the steps needed to manage the risk so you can perform safely. It isn’t a personal opinion or a weather forecast, and it isn’t something you do after you’ve completed the trip. The best description here is that you review the hazards for the planned activity before every trip and adjust that review as conditions change. This keeps your safety controls current—if weather shifts, equipment fails, or the crew’s status changes, you update the plan to reflect those new realities. In short, it’s a proactive, ongoing process tied to the specific activity and continuously revised as conditions evolve.