Risk Assessment

1. Look for the hazards and identify them

• Carry out an organised inspection of the workplace
• Look at the processes involved
• Speak with employees/ safety representatives
• Examine accident/ incident reports
• You may need specialist advice for certain activities e.g. Noise, chemicals etc

2. Decide who might be harmed and how

How: In making an overall assessment of 'risk' it is necessary to take account of the likelihood of harmful circumstances happening and the severity of the injury that may result:

Example:

Electric fire: Most serious outcome (severity) - electric shock causing death, likelihood- unlikely- due to all equipment being subject to formal inspection and testing annually

Sharp knife: Most serious outcome (severity) - cut requiring stitches

Who;

• Employees
• Young persons
• New/expectant mothers
• Visitors
• Contractors

3. Evaluate the risks and decide whether existing precautions(control measures) are adequate or more needs to be done

4. Record the significant findings- a legal requirement if you have 5 or more employees

• Record the significant hazards and the risks they present
• Record the existing control measures and any further control measures necessary
• Record the individuals who may be affected, e.g. staff, visitors, contractors etc
• Make reference to other documents, e.g. Policy, procedures, ACOP's, British standards etc.

5. Review the assessment:

• At least annually
• If there are significant changes to the workplace , layout, new machinery
• If there are changes to the work patterns, e.g. shifts
• Changes in staff, e.g. new starters, young persons, new/expectant mothers
• Changes in legislation
• After an accident, incident