The Importance of Risk Assessments

workplace risk assessments Risk assessments need not be complex. It is usually a straightforward but conscientious study of anything in the work environment that might hurt someone. Once the assessment is finished, managers review the identified risks and decide the appropriate action to prevent accidents and injuries. The final task is then to create and act upon a risk assessment plan.

All of this is a legal requirement. An employer is obliged to keep workers and the public safe as far as "reasonably practicable", although the law does not demand the eradication of all possibility of risk.

Definitions

There are two key definitions to risk assessment work.

Hazard

A hazard is an actual or potential danger or risk. In other words, it is an item (such as a toxic chemical) or a process (roofing a building, for instance) that may lead to an accident.

Risk

A risk is a situation that involves an exposure to a hazard and carries the possibility that something unpleasant may occur. The risk of injury may be low or high, and the result of the harm may be slight or grave.

The five steps

There are five steps, endorsed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that demonstrate the basics of risk assessment for the majority of organizations.

1. Identify the hazards.

Consider how people may be injured in the workplace. Be pro-active and examine the potential hazards, whether they are short or long-term. Also ask for the views of employees and their representatives, and read the accident book and the sick records for anything related to a work-based danger.

2. Establish who might be harmed and how.

Before managing a risk, discover the affected groups, and determine the ways in which they might suffer injury. For example, the company's data input team might have problems with eye strain from staring at computer monitors all day.

3. Evaluate the risks; decide on precautions.

At this stage, it is acceptable to work to a standard that is "reasonably practicable". To make the task easier, however, find out what the industry regards as good practice. By comparing a workplace to good practice benchmarks, it becomes easier to match precautions to risks.

4. Record and implement findings.

Write down the results of risk assessments and communicate these to staff. Employees are then more likely to understand and support any necessary changes.

5. Review the assessment and update.

Ideally, review risk assessments annually. Also consider revising an assessment whenever there is a significant change to any potentially hazardous procedures.

The Health and Safety Executive

The HSE offers a considerable amount of information to help with risk assessments. These free and priced publications are available at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/. Free advice (for small and medium-size companies) can also be had over the phone from Workplace Health Connect on 0845 609 6006.

Article by Kevin Watson.

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