| What is risk assessment? | | | | Do not overcomplicate matters. In the majority of |
| A risk assessment is simply a careful examination of | | | | firms in the commercial, service and light industrial |
| your workplace, to identify what could cause harm | | | | sectors, the hazards are few, and those that do |
| to people, so that you can decide as to whether you | | | | exist are fairly obvious. Checking them is mainly a |
| have taken enough precautions or should do more to | | | | matter of common sense, but also a required and |
| prevent harm from being caused. | | | | necessary action. |
| Work accidents and work related ill health, can ruin | | | | You probably know already, whether you have |
| lives, and seriously affect your business also, if | | | | machinery that could cause harm, or if there is an |
| output is lost, machinery is damaged, insurance costs | | | | awkward entrance or stairway where someone could |
| increase, or you have to go to court. | | | | be hurt. If so, check that you have taken all |
| You are legally required to assess the risks in your | | | | reasonable precautions you can to avoid accidents |
| workplace. | | | | and prevent injury. |
| The important thing you need to decide is whether a | | | | Lets take a closer look at Steps 1 and 2. |
| hazard is significant, and whether you have taken | | | | Step 1. Look for the hazards. |
| satisfactory precautions to minimize the risk. | | | | If you are doing the assessment yourself, walk |
| If you are a small firm owner, and you are confident | | | | around your workplace and look at what could |
| you understand what is involved, you can carry out a | | | | reasonably be expected to cause harm. Ignore the |
| risk assessment yourself. You do not have to be a | | | | trivial (for now) and concentrate on significant |
| Health and Safety expert. If you are a larger firm, | | | | hazards which could result in serious harm. |
| then you may want to assign a responsible | | | | Ask your employees what they think. They are the |
| employee, safety representative or safety officer to | | | | ones who are working with the various components |
| carry out the task. You can also obtain advice from | | | | on a daily basis, and will therefore know where the |
| outside companies, who have specialised in this type | | | | problems are. They may have noticed things which |
| of work. | | | | are not immediately obvious. Manufacturers |
| What is Hazard and Risk? | | | | instructions or data sheets can also help you spot |
| A hazard means anything that can cause harm. To | | | | hazards and put risks in their proper perspective. |
| give you a basic idea, think of chemicals, electricity, | | | | Step 2. Decide who might be harmed and how. |
| working at heights etc etc. | | | | For each identified hazard you should then decide |
| A risk is the chance, high or low, that somebody will | | | | who might be harmed and how. And of course you |
| be harmed by the hazard. | | | | will then be able to decide on a course or action that |
| There are five steps in a risk assessment: | | | | will prevent the hazard from causing risk. |
| Step 1. Look for the hazards. | | | | Do not forget about young workers, trainees, |
| Step 2. Decide who might be harmed and how. | | | | expectant mothers etc who may be at particular risk. |
| Step 3. Evaluate the risk and decide whether the | | | | Do not forget cleaners, visitors, contractors, |
| existing precautions are adequate or whether more | | | | maintenance workers etc who may not be in the |
| should be done. | | | | workplace all the time. |
| Step 4. Record your findings. | | | | Do not forget members of the public, or people you |
| Step 5. Review your assessment and revise it if | | | | share the workplace with, if there is any chance they |
| required. | | | | could be injured by your activity. |