Risk Assessments
It is a legal requirement for companies employing 5 or more employees to carry out and document risk assessments for all significant hazards associated with their work activities.
The Health and Safety Executive recommends a five stepped approach to the completion of risk assessments as follows;
1. Identify the Hazards present (a hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm).
2. Identify those at risk from the hazards e.g. employees, contractors, members of the public, visitors, young people etc.
3. Evaluate the risks taking into account likelihood and severity of that risk being realised (taking into account of any current control measures).
4. Record your findings.
5. Review the findings on a regular basis e.g. annually or following an incident, accident or near miss situation.
Certain specific hazards require a separate dedicated risk assessment to be undertaken, these include;
§ Manual handling activities require a risk assessment taking into account the Task, Individual, Load and the Environment.
§ New legislation requires all non-domestic premises to undertake a Fire Risk Assessment concentrating on the three elements required to start or maintain a fire, these being sources of Heat, Fuel and Oxygen.
§ Display Screen Equipment risk assessments should be undertaken for all users of display screen equipment as defined in the Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992.
§ All hazardous substances must be risk assessed to identify suitable control and emergency procedures while using these substances in accordance with the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. Obtaining a safety data sheet alone does not constitute a completed assessment.
AOH Ltd safety professionals can assist your company in the undertaking of company and / or specific risk assessments in accordance with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Completion and review of company risk assessments can be included in the Retained Services packages available to your company. Please follow the Retained Services link for more information.
If you require any further advice or would like to discuss the matter of risk assessments with one of your team of safety professionals use the Contact us link and we will ensure someone phones you back. Alternatively you may want to email our health and safety Manager direct on andrew.stones@aohltd.co.uk.
