The Importance of Risk Assessment Simon Rice Senior Safety Coordinator MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

Q. What is a Hazard? A. Something that has the potential to cause harm What are some common hazards at work? ab cde f g h

Q. What is Risk? A: The chance or likelihood that the hazard will do harm Risk = Likelihood x Severity Risk Often recorded High, Medium or Low Risk Rating Severity / Consequence 1. Negligible 2. Minor 3. moderate 4. Serious 5. Major Likelihood 1. Very unlikely Unlikely Possible Likely Probable

Mitigating Risk - The Hierarchy of Controls Elimination / Substitution Do not perform the activity Find a less hazardous way of doing the work. Engineering Controls Ventilated enclosures, physical barriers, light curtains, guards. etc. Administrative Controls Establish procedures, Post warning signs, Provide training. PPE Most effective controls Least effective controls

‘Elf ‘N’ Safety It’s all commonsense init? Legal Moral Financial Safety Matters L M F

Health & Safety at Work, etc Act, 1974 Applies to every workplace Aims to protect everyone at work Or affected by the work Legal Both Employers & Employees have to do something (Duties):

Employers Duties Safe equipment. Safe entrance and exit. Safe working environment. Use, storage, transport and handling of chemicals Train and supervise staff. Legal

Employees Take care of yourselves and others Not to misuse or interfere with safety equipment Co-operate with your employer –on safety matters Legal

‘Elf ‘N’ Safety It’s all commonsense init? Legal Financial Safety Matters “A matter of common humanity” Moral M MORAL

Why Is Risk Assessment Important?