1. An Introduction to Risk Assessment Project Planning and Preparation

2. Overview What is Risk Assessment ? Legal Requirements
5 steps to Risk Assessment
Exercises

3. What is a Risk Assessment ?
Careful examination of risks due to hazards in workplace
Decide on precautions & controls to reduce risk

4. Hazards A hazard is anything that may cause harm chemicals electricity
slips/falls
sharps
fire
noise
lifting
violence
etc…

5. Risk Likelihood that hazard will cause harm Combination of
Chance of harm (H/M/L)
Seriousness of harm (H/M/L)

6. Legal Requirements
Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
Personal Protective Equipment at Work 1992 (PPE)
Display Screen Regulations 1992
Noise at Work regulations 1989
Control of substances Hazardous to Health 1999 (COSHH)
+++

7. 5 Steps to Risk Assessment
Identify Hazards
Who might be harmed & how ?
Evaluate risks & controls
Record Findings & Implement
Review & update if necessary

8. Identify Hazards Inspect/Observe/Walk Around Talk to workers/staff
Research (web etc)
Datasheets & Instructions-RTFM
Accident/Health Records
Think long-term effects

9. Who may be Harmed ? Workers/Experimenters/Other lab users
Visitors/Contractors/Cleaners
Public
Special Groups
new staff
young people
new/expectant mothers

10. How may harm be caused ? What type of injury or ill-health ?
back injury
cuts & abrasions
falls
Electrocution
Chemical Hazards (COSHH needed)
etc, etc.

11. Evaluate Risks Risk is Combination of
Chance of harm (Very Unlikely … Very Likely)
Seriousness of harm (Negible … Very Severe)

12. Review Existing Controls
Safety equipment (guards etc)
Training
Authorisation / Access
Documentation
Signage
Protective equipment
Safety checks on equipment

13. Record Findings Provide record that risk assessment took place
Permanent record of precautions/controls

14. Exercise #1 Round the class
Spot the hazards
Who affected ?
How to control ?
Slip/trip
Electrocution
Flying objects
Cut toes
Sunburn
Broken Glass
Vibration
Noise

15. AU Risk Assessment form #1

16. AU Risk Assessment Hazards checklist

17. Risk Assessment Form Severity & Likelyhood

18. Exercise #2 Paperwork
Carry out exercise on handout

19. COSHH – Control of Substances Hazardous to Health
Extended Risk Assessment
Deals with Chemical Hazards
Use Material Safety Data sheets as reference
In addition to normal RA

20. COSHH Form #1

21. Filling in the COSHH form
Similar to RA
Summarise process
List chemicals involved
Quantities
Key data from MSDS
R & S Phrases
H & P Statements

22. Typical MSDS Sheet - Hydrazine

23. COSHH Form #2

24. COSHH Form #3

25. Do all projects need a Risk Assessment?
No. If supervisor has decided that project has same risks as normal office work
But…
Be aware of DSE risks