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Risk Assessment

Introduction:

A risk assessment is an important step in protecting workers and business, as well as complying with the law. It helps focus on the risks that really matter in the workplace – the ones with the potential to cause real harm. In many instances, straightforward measures can readily control risks, for example ensuring spillages are cleaned up promptly so people do not slip, or cupboard drawers are kept closed to ensure people do not trip.

A risk assessment is simply a careful examination of what, could cause harm to people, to enable precautions to be taken to prevent injury and ill-health.

Workers and others have a right to be protected from harm caused by a failure to take reasonable control measures.

Accidents and ill health can ruin lives and affect your business too if output is lost, machinery is damaged, insurance costs increase or you have to go to court. You are legally required to assess the risks in your workplace so that you put in place a plan to control the risks.

Source - HSE(GB)

Key Issues:

  • What is it?

    Risk assessment is the process of assessing the risks to workers’ safety and health from workplace hazards. It is an examination of all aspects of work that considers:

    What could cause injury or harm, whether the hazards could be eliminated and, if not, what control measures are, or should be, in place to control the risks.

    A hazard can be anything that has the potential to cause harm;

    A risk is the chance, high or low, that somebody may be harmed by the hazard.

  • 5 STEPS

    There are 5 steps to assessing risk.

    Step 1 Identifing hazards and those at risk - what has the potential to cause injury or ill-health.

    Step 2 Decide who might be harmed and how.

    Step 3 Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions.

    Step 4 Record your findings and implement them.

    Step 5 Review your risk assessment and update if necessary.