Risk Assessment

Risk Assessment – What Is It? A careful examination of what could cause harm to people, so that you can weigh up whether you have taken enough precautions or should do more. • The aim is to make sure that no one gets hurt or becomes ill. It is a legal requirement.

What is a Hazard? “Something with the potential to cause harm” Examples: Electricity, Hazardous Substances, Working at Heights, Vehicles.

What is Risk? “The likelihood of harm resulting from a hazard” Risk = Severity x Probability Risk can be: High – very likely Medium – possible, likely Low – very unlikely

Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Legal duty on employers to carry out risk assessments as first steps in ensuring safe and healthy workplace Written record (5 or more employees) Identify preventative and protective measures Review assessments if no longer valid Risk assessments must be “Suitable and Sufficient

What is “Suitable & Sufficient”? Identify all hazards Identify specific regulations Systematic approach Include non-routine operations Identify who is at risk Take existing control measures into account

5 Steps to Risk Assessment 1. Look for and list the hazards 2. Decide who might be harmed and how 3. Evaluate risks arising from hazards and decide whether existing controls are adequate 4. Record the findings 5. Review assessment when necessary

Step 1: Identify the hazards Walk around the workplace and look afresh at what would cause harm Ignore the trivial and concentrate on significant hazards Ask your staff what they think Use manufacturers instructions or data Refer to accident/incident records

Step 2: Decide who can be harmed Employees are the main group, but don’t forget: Young workers, trainees, new and expectant mothers etc may be at particular risk Cleaners, visitors, contractors, maintenance workers etc who may not be in the workplace all the time; and Members of the public, or people you share a workplace with if there is a chance that they could be hurt by your activities

Step 3: Evaluate the risk Consider how likely it is that each hazard could cause you harm Even after all precautions have been taken, some risk usually remains Decide for each significant hazard whether this remaining risk is high, medium or low Have you done all the things the law requires you to do? Are there industry standards?

Step 3: Evaluate the risk The aim is to make all risks small In taking action, the aim is: a) Get rid of the hazard altogether b) Control the risk so that harm is unlikely When controlling risks, you need to follow the “principles of prevention”

Principles of Prevention Try a less risky option Prevent access to the hazard (e.g. by guarding) Organise work to reduce exposure to the hazard Issue personal protective equipment Provide welfare facilities (e.g. washing facilities to remove contamination, first aid etc)