Every employer is required by law (the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999) to make a suitable and sufficient assessment of risks to the health and safety of people whilst they are at work.
What is risk assessment?
Risk Assessment is the term to describe the overall process or method of identifying hazards and risk factors that have the potential to cause harm or “Hazard Identification” and then, determining appropriate ways to eliminate the hazard OR control the risk when the hazard cannot be eliminated.
An answer to the question “what is A risk assessment” could be it’s the document used to capture the hazard detail of a known task.
Whatever your business, control measures should be proportionate to the risk. Small, low-risk business activities will require much less effort than a high-risk workplace.
What you need to do
To control health and safety risks caused by hazards in the workplace, you should follow the step-by-step process and the 5 steps to risk assessment are
Identify the hazards
Decide who may be harmed and how
Evaluate the risks and decide on the precautions
Record your findings and put them into place
Review your risk assessments and make amendments if needed
You can do this yourself or appoint a competent person to help you.
Remember: Where you have 5 or more employees, your significant findings must be written down! And you must share the findings and any reviews/changes, with your employees.
If you employ fewer than 5 people or are self-employed, you are not legally required to write anything down as part of your risk assessment.
Sense check: Even those with less than 5 employees must have arrangements in place for managing H&S and controlling risks associated with your work activities – So without it written down, ask yourself;
How would you demonstrate your arrangements if you were asked by a client or the Health & Safety Executive (HSE)?
How do you communicate and demonstrate the importance of H&S to your workforce or clients?
It is recommended to have something as it will help you to decide whether you have done everything you need to.
What should a risk assessment look like?
A risk assessment can be displayed in different ways, depending on the complexity it may form part of a larger report, but the most recognised format is a table with headings such as,
Hazard Identified ~ People at Risk – Current Control Measures – Further Controls Required ~ Residual Risk Rating
This can be added to and include an initial risk rating as well as the residual risk rating to show how the risk level has been reduced.
Sense check: Documents may vary slightly between businesses, operations and even teams, dependent on what details need to be captured, HOWEVER these 5 steps must be followed and completed to be able to reach a suitable and sufficient assessment.
If you don’t know who is at risk how will you know who to protect?
If you don’t know what equipment is to be used how will you know what training is needed, who can use it and where it can be used?
How often must a risk assessment be reviewed?
There is no legal time frame stipulating how often a risk assessment should be reviewed. It is recommended that a minimum of annual review be set. This review may result in no changes to be made but is important to check whether your control measures are effective.
Key triggers to bring your review forward.
Key changes in personnel such as supervision and management
Significant changes in process e.g., new plant and equipment or working hours
Additions or change to substances used
Following an accident/incident/near miss
Involving your employees in the risk assessment process allows them to share experiences and ideas on the best way to eliminate or reduce the hazards that are identified, this approach to risk management demonstrates a positive safety culture within the business and when employees are consulted added benefits such as employee commitment to safe working practices, reduced accident rates, improved productivity, reduced staff turnover and improved business reputation.
How can Safety For help?
Safety For create and review risk assessments for tasks, workplaces, and individuals.
Appointing a contractor? We can review the contractors’ risk assessments for you too!
Peace of mind and guidance where needed.
For more details, call our office on 01948 871 373 and speak with one of our professional and friendly team.
Safety For are about Safety For ALL. Whatever your business size, industry and needs, we are here for you.
