1. Starter Activity
What kind of tasks or situations is an employer legally required to perform a risk assessment for?
Use of any work equipment.
Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations.
Operation of any type of machinery.
Any work area.
Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations.
Use of chemicals.
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations
Manual handling.
Manual Handling Operations Regulations
Use of computers.
Display Screen Equipment Regulations

2. 1.3 - Be able to carry out a risk assessment and identify control measures.
The HSE recommend the ‘Five Steps to Risk Assessment’ in their leaflet:

3. ‘Five Steps to Risk Assessment’
Look for significant hazards.
Decide who might be harmed and how.
Evaluate the risks.
Record the findings in a risk assessment.
Review the risk assessment.

4. Look for significant hazards.
What methods can be used to determine the hazards present in the workplace?
Observe the activity or work area.
Undertake workplace inspections.
Interview employees (any problems?).
Review accident reports/statistics.

5. Decide who might be harmed and how.
What groups of people should we consider?
Employees who undertake the task or who work permanently in the area.
Other employees who could be affected – bystanders, maintenance workers, cleaning staff, etc…
Non-employees – visitors, contractors, agency workers, neighbours, etc…
Vulnerable persons – young employees, new & inexperienced workers, expectant & new mothers, etc…

6. Evaluate the risks. Trivial Severity Minor injury (First Aid)
Moderate injury
(Lost time)
(RIDDOR reportable)
Serious injury
Major injury
Fatality 1 2 3 4 5
Likelihood
Extremely unlikely
Unlikely 6 8 10
Likely 9 12 15
Extremely likely 16 20
Almost certain 25
Significant
Acceptable with mitigation
Significant
Unacceptable

7. Examples: Calculate the risk factor and state whether they are
Tripping over a cable in a classroom.
Tripping over a cable at the top of a darkened staircase.
Electrocution while working on a high voltage power line.
Falling from the roof while undertaking structural repairs.

8. Remove/Reduce/Protect
Hierarchy of Control
Many hazards can be controlled. Can you work out how?
Effectiveness
Action
Remove/Reduce/Protect
High
Eliminate the hazard
Remove
Reduce the risk
Reduce
Isolate employees and other persons
Control exposure or contact
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Protect
Low
Discipline in working practices

9. Task: State how you would control the following hazards
Eliminate the hazard of solvent-based paints.
Reduce the hazard of electrocution by power tools.
Isolate non-employees from the hazards of a building site.
Control exposure to electricity from a faulty appliance.
Protect workers from injury by falling objects.
Protect workers from injury by incorrectly assembled work equipment.

10. Task: State how you would control the following hazards
Use water-based paints.
Reduce the hazard of electrocution by power tools.
Isolate non-employees from the hazards of a building site.
Control exposure to electricity from a faulty appliance.
Protect workers from injury by falling objects.
Protect workers from injury by incorrectly assembled work equipment.

11. Task: State how you would control the following hazards
Use water-based paints.
Use tools that operate on 110v rather than 240v mains supply.
Isolate non-employees from the hazards of a building site.
Control exposure to electricity from a faulty appliance.
Protect workers from injury by falling objects.
Protect workers from injury by incorrectly assembled work equipment.

12. Task: State how you would control the following hazards
Use water-based paints.
Use tools that operate on 110v rather than 240v mains supply.
Erect two metre high fencing around construction site.
Control exposure to electricity from a faulty appliance.
Protect workers from injury by falling objects.
Protect workers from injury by incorrectly assembled work equipment.

13. Task: State how you would control the following hazards
Use water-based paints.
Use tools that operate on 110v rather than 240v mains supply.
Erect two metre high fencing around construction site.
Fit Residual Current Devices (RCDs) to cut electricity in the event of a fault.
Protect workers from injury by falling objects.
Protect workers from injury by incorrectly assembled work equipment.

14. Task: State how you would control the following hazards
Use water-based paints.
Use tools that operate on 110v rather than 240v mains supply.
Erect two metre high fencing around construction site.
Fit Residual Current Devices (RCDs) to cut electricity in the event of a fault.
Provide staff with hard hats.
Protect workers from injury by incorrectly assembled work equipment.

15. Task: State how you would control the following hazards
Use water-based paints.
Use tools that operate on 110v rather than 240v mains supply.
Erect two metre high fencing around construction site.
Fit Residual Current Devices (RCDs) to cut electricity in the event of a fault.
Provide staff with hard hats.
Provide training for employees & ensure appropriate supervision during work.

16. Record the findings in a risk assessment.
Companies usually have their own pro-forma for risk assessments, an example is shown below:
Company name:
What are the hazards?
Who might be harmed and how?
What are you already doing?
What further action is necessary?
Action by whom?
Action by when?
Done
Slips & trips
Staff & visitors may be injured if they trip over objects or slip on spillages.
General good housekeeping.
All areas well lit, including stairs.
No trailing leads/cables.
Staff keep work areas clear.
Better house-keeping in staff kitchen needed, e.g. on spills.
Arrange for loose carpet tile on second floor to be repaired or replaced.
All staff, supervisor to monitor.
Manager
From now on
01/10/10

17. Review the risk assessment.
Why is it important to review risk assessments?
Is adequate control maintained?
Circumstances are subject to change.
What factors could dictate the necessity for review?
Accident, near miss or dangerous occurrence.
Change in personnel conducting task.
Involvement of young/experienced staff in the activity.
HSE audit findings.

18. Plenary Task
You have been tasked by Mr. Kilgour to produce a risk assessment for Use the 5 step process to assess the work environment. Draw up a table as shown in the earlier slide. Submit your risk assessment via at the end of the lesson.