Chapter heading 1

Reasonably practicable means (except in relation to obligations for consultation) that which is, or was, at a particular time reasonably able to be done in relation to ensuring health and safety, taking into account and weighing up all relevant matters, including:

1. 
   the likelihood of the hazard or risk eventuating;
   
2. 
   the degree of harm that may result if the hazard or risk eventuated;
   
3. 
   what the duty holder knows, or a person in their position ought reasonably to know, about:
   

1. 
   the hazard, the potential harm and the risk; and
   
2. 
   ways of eliminating or reducing the hazard, the harm or the risk ;
   

4. 
   the availability and suitability of ways to eliminate or reduce the hazard, the harm or the risk; and
   
5. 
   the costs associated with the available ways of eliminating or reducing the hazard, the harm or the risk, including whether the cost is grossly disproportionate to the degree of harm and the risk.
   

1. 
   We also recommend that the definition of reasonably practicable be supported by guidance material, explaining the process, to assist an understanding by duty holders and others of the requirements.¹²³