Guide · Occupational health and safety

Risk matrix what it is, how it is assessed, with examples

A risk matrix organizes the hazards of each task, how much each risk weighs and what is done about it. Here is the method Chile uses for safety risks, the 3 × 3 table to try it and eight worked examples from a plant.
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Informational guide, not legal advice. Check the current regulation at the ISP guide (Chile's official law library) and consult your safety professional or your mutual insurer (mutualidad).

Probability

Consequence (1 · 2 · 4)

2 × 4 = VEP 8 · Significant. Do not start the work until the risk is reduced; if it is already under way, fix it before the moderate ones.

What it is

From hazard to measure, in one row

HAZARDUnguardedrollerRISKHandentrapmentASSESSMENTP 2 × C 4 =VEP 8LEVELSignificantMEASUREInterlockedguard

Each row starts from a hazard, what can cause harm, and assesses the risk: the likelihood of the harm happening and its severity. In Chile it is the IPER matrix of article 7 of DS 44, by process, task and job.

What DS 44 requires of the IPER matrix, step by step →

How it is assessed

How each risk in the matrix is assessed

DS 44 refers to the ISP guide for hazard identification and risk assessment (version 03), from Chile's Public Health Institute. The method depends on the type of risk: the VEP (expected loss value) is only for safety risks.

16IntolerableDo not start or continue; if it cannot be reduced, prohibit the work.
8SignificantDo not start the work until the risk is reduced; if it is already under way, fix it before the moderate ones.
4ModerateReduce the risk within a set period.
≤ 2TolerablePeriodically check that the controls keep working.

Probability: low 1, medium 2, high 4. Consequence: slightly harmful 1, harmful 2, extremely harmful 4.

Safety, emergencies and disasters

How it is assessed

Expected Loss Value (VEP): probability × consequence

Where

ISP guide, 6.3.2

Physical and chemical hygiene (noise, silica, heat, cold)

How it is assessed

DS 594 Title IV limits and MINSAL surveillance protocols

Where

ISP guide, 6.3.1

Musculoskeletal

How it is assessed

MINSAL TMERT protocol and manual handling guide

Where

ISP guide, 6.3.1

Psychosocial

How it is assessed

MINSAL psychosocial risk surveillance protocol

Where

ISP guide, 6.3.1

Many companies use 5 × 5 matrices from their management systems. DS 44 accepts validated methods, but the reference in Chile for safety risks is the VEP; review your scale with your safety professional or your mutual insurer.

Examples

Eight plant risks, assessed and with their measures

Illustrative examples from a food plant: probability and consequence depend on each site. Tap a risk to see its level and the measures in the order of article 9.

Packaging · hazard

Unguarded sealer rollers

Risk

Hand entrapment

Probability 2 × consequence 4 = VEP 8 · Significant. Do not start the work until the risk is reduced; if it is already under way, fix it before the moderate ones.

  1. 1. EliminateNot applicable in this example
  2. 2. EngineeringFixed guard with interlock that stops the machine when opened
  3. 3. AdministrativeLockout/tagout before cleaning or clearing
  4. 4. PPENot applicable in this example

Measures

The hierarchy of controls: PPE comes last

1. EliminateAvoid or eliminate the risk2. EngineeringControl it at the source3. AdministrativeReduce it with organization and safe work methods4. PPEPersonal protection while residual risk remains

Article 9 of DS 44 sets the order in which measures are chosen. Article 12 prefers collective over personal protection, and article 13 leaves PPE for when the risk could not be sufficiently controlled.

  • Common mistake: a significant risk with a single measure, "use PPE."
  • An avoidable risk is not assessed: it is eliminated (ISP guide).

Free template

IPER matrix in Excel, with the VEP already calculated

The template from the DS 44 IPER matrix guide: enter probability and consequence and the level is calculated for you, with the measures in the order of article 9.

  • · Probability times consequence using the method of Chile's Public Health Institute (ISP): expected loss value (VEP) and level calculated and color-coded
  • · Controls in the order of article 9, from elimination to PPE, recording the highest control used
  • · Owner, deadline, status and next annual review, ready for the preventive program
  • · Alerts for high risks controlled only with PPE, rows without a control and overdue deadlines

It does not replace an expert assessment or the Chilean Ministry of Health (MINSAL) protocols.

In the app

How the matrix carries on in the app

The matrix says what to do; the app records that it was done. Findings, measures and inspections are logged with photo, signature and a PDF for the period.

App screen for recording a safety finding with photo, note or voice
Get early accessFree app, in early access.

Frequently asked questions

Risk matrix FAQ

What is a risk matrix?
It is the tool where the hazards of each process, task and job are recorded, along with the level of each risk and the measure to control it. In Chile, DS 44 calls it the hazard identification and risk assessment matrix (art. 7), known as the IPER matrix.
What is the difference between a hazard and a risk?
A hazard is the source, situation or condition that can cause harm: an unguarded roller. Risk is the likelihood of that harm happening and its severity: hand entrapment. The matrix identifies the hazard and assesses the risk.
How is the risk level calculated?
For safety risks, the guide from the ISP (Chile's Public Health Institute) uses the Expected Loss Value: probability (1, 2 or 4) times consequence (1, 2 or 4). A VEP of 2 or less is tolerable, 4 moderate, 8 significant and 16 intolerable.
Can a 5 × 5 matrix be used?
DS 44 allows quantitative or qualitative methods as long as they are validated and based on the authority's criteria, and says the assessment follows the ISP guide. For safety risks that guide uses the 3 × 3 VEP; if your company uses another scale, review it with your safety professional or your mutual insurer.
Are noise or manual handling assessed with the VEP?
No. Hygiene risks are assessed against DS 594 limits and MINSAL protocols (for example PREXOR for noise), musculoskeletal risks with the TMERT protocol and psychosocial risks with their surveillance protocol. They are still recorded in the matrix, with the corresponding method.
How often is the risk matrix reviewed?
At least once a year, and also when working conditions change, an accident occurs, an occupational disease is diagnosed or a serious and imminent risk appears (art. 7 of DS 44).
Is providing PPE enough to control a risk?
No. Article 9 of DS 44 sets an order: eliminate, control at the source, administrative measures and, last, PPE while residual risk remains. Article 13 says PPE is used only when the risk could not be avoided or sufficiently controlled.

Sources: DS 44 on Ley Chile (BCN) · ISP guide for hazard identification and risk assessment, version 03. Reviewed on November 1, 2026.

Keep reading

Occupational health and safety guides

DS 44: the records it requiresThe hub: every preventive-management record, with its article.DS 594 summarizedWorkplace sanitary and environmental conditions, title by title, with their limits.Joint safety committeeDuties, election, job protection and the safety delegate.5-minute safety talksReady-made topics by hazard, plus the attendance record.IRL under DS 44What the occupational risk information must say and when it is delivered.Risk mapWhat the DS 44 risk map includes, with a plant example.Internal safety regulationsWhat the health and safety regulations contain and how they are published.PPE issue logWhat to record when personal protective equipment is handed out.Cause tree analysisAccident investigation step by step, with a worked example.Accident rate calculatorAccident, lost-day, frequency and severity rates with their formulas.TMERT protocolChecklist, risk levels and deadlines of the MINSAL musculoskeletal protocol.Safe work procedureWhat an SWP is, its sections and a food-plant example.DS 44 IPER matrix step by stepPreventive program, IRL, risk map and FUF, with a template.

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Luis · maintenance
OVERDUE
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Sensor · supply
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M-204 vibration
4.1 mm/s, above normal
Detected by the sensor
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