Risk Assessment

Objectives By the end of this presentation you will know: What risk assessment is; Where the need for risk assessment comes from; and The principles behind carrying out a 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 COST The Legal Position Health & Safety At Work Etc Act 1974 – General duty to ensure health, safety and welfare at work of all employees so far as is reasonably practicable.

Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Legal duty on employers to carry out risk assessments as first step in ensuring safe and healthy workplace Written record (5 or more employees) Identify preventive and protective measures Review assessments if no longer valid Risk assessments must be Suitable and Sufficient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 would could cause harm Ignore the trivial, and concentrate on significant hazards Ask your employees 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 dont 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 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.

Common Problems Variation of work; Employees who move from one site to another: – Identify the hazards you can reasonably expect and assess the risks from them. After that, if additional hazards are spotted when you get to site, get information from others on site, and take what action seems necessary

Common Problems Sharing a workplace: – Tell the other employers and self-employed people there about any risks your work could cause them, and what precautions you are taking. – Also think about the risks to your own workforce from those who share your workplace

Common Problems Some risks have already been assessed: – If, for example, you have already assessed the risks from hazardous substances and have taken necessary precautions, you do not have to repeat this information

Step 4: Record significant findings If you employ five or more people then you must record the significant findings of your assessment This means recording the significant hazards and conclusions You must also tell your employees about your findings

Step 4: Record significant findings You need to be able to show that: – A proper check was made; – You asked who might be affected; – You dealt with all the obvious significant hazards, taking into account the number of people who could be involved; – The precautions are reasonable, and the remaining risk is low

Step 4: Record significant findings Keep the record for future reference or use - it can help if an Inspector asks what precautions you have taken or if you become involved in any action for civil liability You can refer to other documents (e.g. manuals, H&S policy, company rules, manufacturers instructions etc.). These may already list hazards and precautions - there is no need to repeat all that.

Step 5: Review Sooner or later, new machines, substance or procedures will be introduced which could lead to new hazards If there is any significant change, add to the assessment to take account of the new hazard Dont amend the assessment for every trivial change It is good practice to review the assessment from time to time to ensure precautions are still working effectively

Summary Risk assessment is a legal requirement Follow the 5 steps to Risk Assessment; – Identify the hazards – Decide who can be harmed – Evaluate the risk – Record significant findings – Review and revise Risk assessment is a means to an end, not an end in itself - the aim is to keep people safe, not have good paperwork

Questions?