A guide to effective risk assessment

What is Risk Assessment?

Risk assessment is a careful examination of practices and processes in the workplace which allows an employer to decide on the appropriateness of precautions. The ultimate objective of a risk assessment is to decide on an action plan to establish control of risk and ensure control remains effective.

Process Management

It will be necessary to plan the process of risk assessment. You will need to decide upon a number of factors such as how you are going to divide up a workplace to make the process manageable. You will need to consider tasks that are routine and those that occur infrequently such as maintenance or bulk deliveries. You will need to select your risk assessor or team of assessors dependent upon the tasks at hand. These individuals need to be competent enough to complete the assessment process. In certain circumstances it may be appropriate to obtain professional advice.

Structure

Consider the structure of your assessment. Many simple risks may be grouped into a generic assessment, for example, a typical office environment, while higher risks may require a specific assessment. Clearly define who is responsible for the various stages of the assessment and the action plan.

Where possible, you should standardise the formats for the assessments and the action plans to minimise confusion and aid in the communication process.

Above all, KISS: Keep It Simple Stupid! Many organisations complicate the process and make it difficult for themselves.

Implementation…

 

Identify the Hazards

Carry out a physical examination of the workplace, risk assessment cannot be done from a desk. You will need to set time aside to allow a thorough job. Ensure you speak to the workforce. Consultation is a legal requirement, but it also adds significant value to the process. Look for other sources of information, the HSE website, trade bodies, safety press, insurers, manufacturers and suppliers are all likely to assist you. Review your accident book and other records or previous assessments.

Decide Who Might be Harmed

Along with the obvious, such as employees and contractors working on your site, you will need to account for risks to visitors, members of the public, neighbours or others who are affected by what you do.

Particular attention should be paid to new or expectant mothers and young persons who may be vulnerable to a particular type of risk or who may behave differently from the perceived norm.

Establish Your Control Measures

The regulations relating to risk assessment establish a hierarchy of control. The most effective way to manage a risk is to eliminate it. Review processes for redundancy, dispose of waste or disused chemicals or equipment. Where it is not possible to eliminate the risk, consider measures that isolate the potential for harm, prevent access to a particular danger or limit exposure so that the risk is mitigated. Personal protective equipment should be a last resort but may be the only practical solution or a good interim measure. Remember the role of welfare facilities, emergency arrangements and disciplinary measures, each has a place in your control strategy.

Record Your Findings

Finally, record the significant findings of the assessment. It is important that the record reflects that due diligence was paid to the process, hazards and risks being assessed. Remember you may have to rely on this document in a legal process. It will be necessary to detail the process being assessed, the hazards and risks along with those persons or groups that are identified as being at risk. You should clearly state the precautions you already have in place and any further controls you intend to introduce. Where you have discounted a particular form of control it is prudent to make a record of it and state why it was discounted.

Action Planning

There may be simple issues that can be implemented immediately, these should be addressed first. Other items should be detailed in the action plan stating who is responsible for a particular action, the deadline or time scale, sign off and monitoring procedures. Ensure a senior manager is responsible for monitoring the action plan and providing necessary feedback on its progress.

Risk assessment in itself does not prevent accidents; it is merely a structured approach to identifying what may go wrong. The key is deciding on the appropriate controls and taking action to implement them.

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