Which sequence correctly describes the basic steps of a risk assessment for a SAR operation and who should lead it?

• A. Identify hazards, assess risk (likelihood and consequence), implement controls, monitor; led by the Safety Officer or designated risk assessor.
• B. Identify hazards; assess risk (likelihood and consequence); implement controls; monitor; led by the Incident Commander.
• C. Assess risk; identify hazards; implement controls; monitor; led by the Safety Officer.
• D. Identify hazards, assess risk (likelihood and consequence), implement controls, monitor; led by the Incident Commander.

Answer: (A)

The risk assessment in a SAR operation follows a clear sequence: identify hazards, assess risk (likelihood and consequence), implement controls, and monitor. This order ensures you know what could cause harm, estimate how severe or likely those harms are, put measures in place to reduce risk, and continually check that those measures work and catch new hazards as the situation evolves. The lead should be the Safety Officer or a designated risk assessor because safety analysis needs independent, specialized oversight across the operation, allowing risk to be evaluated continuously without being tied to tactical decision-making. The Incident Commander has overall responsibility for the operation but should not routinely lead the risk assessment, since that could blur safety oversight with tactical choices.