What type of assessment should be conducted before implementing new safety measures?

A risk assessment is essential to conduct before implementing new safety measures because it identifies potential hazards and evaluates the likelihood and severity of incidents that could occur as a result of those hazards. This assessment helps in understanding where vulnerabilities exist within the current safety framework and ensures that the proposed safety measures will effectively mitigate identified risks. By evaluating risks, organizations can prioritize safety interventions based on the level of danger they pose to employees and compliance with safety regulations.

While a cost-benefit assessment can also be important in evaluating the financial aspects of safety measures, it is secondary to understanding the inherent risks that the workplace poses. A productivity assessment focuses on how safety measures impact work efficiency, and an employee satisfaction assessment gauges the morale and well-being of staff, which, although valuable in a broader context, do not directly address the immediate safety concerns that a risk assessment targets. Thus, focusing on risk first ensures that any measures taken are both relevant and necessary to protect the well-being of employees.