How do you interpret the results of a biological risk assessment?

• A. It is to assess likelihood and consequence of hazard, identify control measures, and decide risk acceptance.
• B. It is to document hazard without controls.
• C. It is to ignore likelihood and consequences.
• D. They are not useful for decision making.

Answer: (A)

Interpreting a biological risk assessment means looking at how likely a hazard is to occur and how severe the consequence would be, and using that information to guide what controls are needed and whether the remaining risk is acceptable. By estimating both the probability of the hazard and the potential impact, you can prioritize actions, choose appropriate safeguards (engineering controls, administrative procedures, and PPE), and decide if the residual risk is within acceptable limits. This approach ties the assessment directly to decision making, rather than merely listing hazards or ignoring likelihood and consequences. In practice, a result that shows a credible hazard with significant potential harm prompts stronger controls and closer monitoring, while a hazard with low probability and mild consequences might require fewer interventions, but still evaluated for acceptance against organizational criteria.