Risk assessments will always be needed in any business and having a system that is easy and yet comprehensive is essential in keeping it simple and effective. We use the 5 steps to risk assessing to suit your business and identify elements that are relevant.
The 5 steps are: 1. Identify the hazards - activities, facilities and equipment 2. Consider who is at risk - children, staff, public, disabled, contractors 3. Evaluate and Implement control measures. Rate the risk likelihood and the severity of outcome. A 1-5 scale for each and multiply. 4. Record all the findings and populate the document. A tabular form works well, include titles, names, date, headings and actions. 5. Review the risk assessment when required. At least annually and when the law or conditions change like new staff, location or method.
Not everyone understands the procedure involved in carrying out risk assessments but the evaluation matrix makes it easier to understand.
We have found that it is easier by compiling a risk register and then applying standard elements of health and safety to each activity or area. This way you create a good foundation to start from and then consider the relevant factors of the particular risk assessment. Looking at the specific regulation that governs the subject is an important method and then best practise guides such as Approved Codes of Practise (ACOP'S) and Industry Guides (INDG) will stipulate and advise on what to include. Getting the risk assessment checked by another competent person to verify is always good practise and will confirm suitability. The key point to remember is that a risk assessment should be relevant to the risk and doing a risk assessment for pencil sharpening is not good use of your time. That is why a register approach works best. We carry out risk assessments for several safety elements and some are listed below;
Confined Spaces COSHH Display Screen Equipment Fire Risk and Management First Aid Lone Working Manual Handling - using the Task, Individual, Load and Environment process (TILE) New and Expectant Mothers Plant Rooms Return to work Assessments Sports and Physical Education, Cross Country School Facilities - Art and Design, Technology, Boarding, Science, Drama and Theatres Swimming Pools School trips Work Equipment Working at Height - considering the Task, Individual, Environment and Frequency Workshops Young Persons