RISK ASSESSMENT

What is Risk Assessment? It is an examination of what we do, to determine the things that can cause harm to people It allows us to decide whether we need to take measures to prevent that harm from occurring Balancing the risk against the time, cost and effort of reducing it. Carrying out actions “as far as is reasonably practicable” Balancing any residual risks against the benefits of the activity

Why do we Risk Assess?

HASAWA 1974 and Man HSW Regs 1999 require us to do so, by law. Failure to comply with this law can lead to prosecution! To ensure that no-one gets hurt or becomes ill as a result of actions or accidents within the workplace To prevent financial losses, in the form of accident, damaged property or plant, lost materials, compensation payouts, third party claims, fines and penalties

Why do we Risk Assess? Financial Legal Moral In summary, the 3 main reasons are ‘FLM’

A point worth remembering! Don’t avoid carrying out a risk assessment just because you feel unsure of your ability. Remember, all you are doing is examining your normal working environment for potential hazards “A matter of individual opinion is more defendable than negligence to assess”

Who does a risk assessment? The law says a risk assessment must be carried out by a competent person - Knowledge - Experience - Training In practice this often means risk assessment will be a collaboration of several people each with areas of specific knowledge

How do we risk assess? Identify the hazards Identify who may be harmed and how Evaluate the risks - Severity of hazard - Frequency of activity/exposure to hazard - Current control measures - Risk rating Additional control measures Record your assessment Review and revise as necessary

Identify the hazards What is a hazard? Anything that has the potential to cause harm - Moving and handling - Slips, trips and falls - Vehicles/transport - Equipment - Electricity - Environment - People - Contractors Keep it simple Our task is to identify SIGNIFICANT hazards only

Who or what can be harmed? Consider what could go wrong and identify who may be harmed if it does -Yourself -Colleagues -Clients/service users -The Public -Contractors Consider also property or equipment damage

Evaluate the risks What is risk? The chance of someone being harmed by the hazard Consider -Severity of hazard -Frequency of activity/exposure to hazard -Current control measures -Risk rating, severity x likelihood Do not over complicate things There will always be hazards and risks associated with everything we do, we do not expect to eliminate them all

Control measures What is a control measure? Something put in place to control the risk of harm The Hierarchy of control -Eliminate the hazard -Prevent access to the hazard -Reduce exposure to the hazard -P.P.E. -Welfare and first aid facilities Remember we are not trying to eliminate risk but reduce it to an ACCEPTABLE level

Record your findings Always make a note of your risk assessments for future reference, possibly by the HSE Someone else might take over from you, and they will need to know what risks you have identified

Review and Revise Periodically There is an incident If there are any significant changes to - The environment - The hazard - The activity - The people involved

Extra points to consider Are there any legal requirements that should be followed for any hazards identified e.g. legislation or approved codes of practice Are there any relevant best practice standards or council policies or guidance, HSE guidance, British or European Standards, professional or trade guidance Are Human Factors relevant Are any vulnerable persons involved (pregnant mothers, under 18’s, staff with impairments Occupational Health Issues (hearing loss, stress, musculosketal damage)

Remember You are not being asked to produce a professional document The main points of a risk assessment are that it is SUITABLE AND SUFFICIENT If your assessment takes into account the significant hazards associated with the task and lists reasonable control measures, then you will have satisfied these requirements

What is dynamic risk assessment? An “on the spot” risk assessment undertaken for spontaneous incidents, to consider: The health safety and wellbeing of yourself, your colleagues and any other persons that may be affected Any actions that need to be undertaken. The balance of whether the risks are proportional to the benefits Taking any actions in the safest possible way Whilst by its very nature a dynamic risk assessment may not be formally recorded, a record or note of any actions will often be very useful

Example You are on your way home and need to cross a very busy road You have just picked up your children aged 7 & 8 from school You have a bag of shopping in each hand It is beginning to rain There is a pedestrian crossing 150 yards away

Initial assessment Evaluate situation, tasks and persons at risk Select appropriate action to take Assess the chosen action and any control measures Are the risks proportional to the benefits NO YES Proceed with caution Do not immediately proceed with tasks Consider viable alternatives

Action Do the benefits of taking Action out weigh the Risks? RISKS Benefits

Scenario 1 You are opening the premises at the beginning of the day and notice the door ajar with signs of a forced entry There is no indication whether the intruder is still on the site or has left It is early morning and no one else has arrived

Scenario 2 You have to visit the home of a Council client The home is in an isolated part of an estate with poor lighting There are sounds coming from inside the house indicating a very bitter argument It is getting dark There is no mobile phone reception

To Re-cap Identify the hazards Identify who may be harmed and how Evaluate the risks and introduce control measures following the hierarchy of control Record your assessment Review and revise as necessary