Risk assessment - H&S at work

Employers are legally required to regularly carry out risk assessment in the workplace. Risk assessment is nothing more than a careful examination of the workplace so that all reasonable precautions can be taken to ensure no one gets hurt or becomes ill.

Whilst there are a number of workplaces with hazards which require special precautions and technical knowledge (radiation, biological protection, specific machinery hazards etc), the majority of workplaces are low risk. The important thing to decide is whether a hazard is significant, and whether satisfactory precautions have been taken so that the risk is small. For instance, electricity can kill but the risk of it doing so in an office environment is remote, provided that 'live' components are insulated and metal casings properly earthed.

In most firms in the commercial, service and light industrial sectors, the hazards are few and simple. Checking them is common sense, but necessary. Employers know if they have machinery that could cause harm, or if there is an awkward entrance or stair where someone could be hurt. If so, they should check what reasonable precautions can be taken to avoid injury. You don't have to be a health and safety expert to carry out the assessment in this type of organisation.

In more complex organisations it might make sense to employ specialists see the HSE Guidance Note for more information.

The HSE recommends a five step approach:

1. Look for the hazards

Walk around your workplace and look afresh at what could reasonably be expected to cause harm. Ignore the trivial and concentrate on significant hazards which could result in serious harm or affect several people. Ask your employees or their represen-tatives what they think. They may have noticed things which are not immediately obvious. Manufacturers' instructions or data sheets can also help you spot hazards and put risks in their true perspective. So can accident and ill-health records.

2. Decide who might be harmed and how

In particular consider those who may be at particular risk e.g. young workers, trainees, new and expectant mothers, cleaners, visitors, contractors, maintenance workers, members of the public, or people you share your workplace with.

3. Evaluate the risks and decide whether the existing precautions are adequate or whether more should be done

Evaluate the risks and decide whether existing precautions are adequate or more should be done. Consider how likely it is that each hazard could cause harm. This will determine whether or not you need to do more to reduce the risk. Even after all precautions have been taken, some risk usually remains. What you have to decide for each significant hazard is whether this remaining risk is high, medium or low. Ask yourself whether generally accepted industry standards are in place. But don't stop there –think for yourself, because the law also says that you must do what is reasonably practicable to keep your workplace safe. Your real aim is to make all risks small by adding to your precautions as necessary.

4. Record your findings

Record your findings If you have fewer than five employees you do not need to write anything down, though it is useful to keep a written record of what you have done. But if you employ five or more people you must record the significant findings of your assessment. This means writing down the significant hazards and conclusions. Examples might be 'Electrical installations: insulation and earthing checked and found sound' or 'Fume from welding: local exhaust ventilation provided and regularly checked'. You must also tell your employees about your findings.

5. Review your assessment and revise it if necessary

Set a date for review of the assessment. On review check that the precautions for each hazard still adequately control the risk. If not indicate the action needed. Note the outcome.

See sample risk assessment form indexed opposite.