Risk Assessment
INTRODUCTION
Risk Assessment is a process that requires you carefully examine what in your work could cause harm to people. Having looked at the risks you will thne be able to decide if you have takne enough precautions to protect people or identify if youneed to do more to prevent harm.
Useful definitions
Hazard: Something with the potential to cause harm.
Risk:The likelihood that the harm from a particular hazard is realised.
RISK ASSESSMENT IN PRACTICE
There are no fixed rules about how a risk assessment should be carried out; it will depend on the nature of the undertaking and the type and extent of the hazards and risks.
There is plenty of guidance available to assist with the process (see references). The process should be practical, participative and systematic and cover risks which are reasonably foreseeable. For small undertakings with few or simple hazards a suitable and sufficient risk assessment can be a straightforward process based on personal judgement, experience and knowledge. In larger or more complex cases, specialist knowledge may be required.
RECORDING THE ASSESSMENT
Employers with five or more employees must record the significant findings of their risk assessment. It needs to be part of an employer's overall approach to health and safety and where appropriate should be linked to other relevant health and safety documents (e.g. policy statement).
This record would normally be in writing but can also be recorded electronically as long as it is retrievable. Various written formats have, and can, be used; employers should select or develop a format appropriate to their needs. Assessments need to be suitable and sufficient, not perfect.
Comprehensive information can be accessed at the link provided below
Aselection of example Risk Assessments undertaken by the Health and Safety Executive can be accessed at the link provided below