What is a Dynamic Risk Assessment?

A Dynamic Risk Assessment (DRA) is a continuous process used in decision making to assess and analyze a work environment in real-time with the goal of removing risk. The idea behind a DRA is to identify risk on the spot and make quick decisions on how best to mitigate the risk. 

Dynamic Risk Assessment is often used by emergency services in health and safety for risk management. The assessment is most often leveraged when new equipment or resources are introduced, supervisors change, work is reallocated, or when there are clear threats to safety and security. 

There are several control measures that should be observed when conducting a dynamic standard risk assessment:

1. Identify hazards or anything that may cause harm.
2. Decide who and what may be harmed and how it may occur.
3. Assess the risks and take appropriate actions.
4. Make a record of the findings for later review.
5. Review the risk assessment.

All stages of the risk assessment should be documented to better prepare for future hazards and identify warning signs. Technology plays a large role in making the DRA process repeatable and useful for enabling safe systems.