Which practice best supports risk reduction in MMR activities?

• A. Completing Work Without Permits If Time Is Short.
• B. Skipping Routine Inspections to Save Time.
• C. Performing a Formal Risk Assessment to Identify Hazards, Evaluate Likelihood/Severity, and Implement Controls.
• D. Relying on Vendor Assurances Without Checks.

Answer: (C)

A formal risk assessment to identify hazards, evaluate their likelihood and severity, and implement controls is the best way to reduce risk in MMR activities. This approach methodically spots what could go wrong, judges how serious each risk could be and how often it might occur, and then puts appropriate safeguards in place before work starts. It follows a risk-reduction approach that prioritizes eliminating hazards or applying engineering and administrative controls before relying on procedures or PPE. This creates a documented plan that supports necessary permits, routine inspections, and authorization to work, ensuring hazards are addressed in a structured way.

Bypassing this process—such as doing work without permits, skipping inspections, or relying only on vendor assurances—skips critical analysis and verification steps, leaving hidden or underestimated risks unaddressed and increasing the chance of incidents.