Risk Assessment
Risk Assessment is an essential part of the planning stage of any health and safety management system.
The general duties of employers to their employees in section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 imply the need for risk assessment.
This duty was also extended by section 3 of the Act to anybody else affected by activities of the employer e.g. contractors, visitors, customers or members of the public.
Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (MHSWR) 1999 requires employers to make suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of their workers, or any other person who may be affected by their undertakings. This requirement relates also to the self-employed.
Where there are five or more employees, the significant findings of the assessment shall be recorded and any specially at risk group of employees identified. (This does not mean that employees with less than five employees need not undertake risk assessments).
Review and re-assessment
Every employer has a legal responsibility under the MHSWR to arrange for a "competent person" to assess all risks of a general nature arising at the workplace, or created by work activities. Other hazards will need to be considered against more specialised legislation including the following:
Fire safety (Regulatory Reform [Fire Safety] Order
The fire risk assessment should identify any potential sources of heat and ignition, and any persons at risk. It must also consider the means of raising the alarm, arrangements for safe evacuation, fire safety equipment and signage.
(Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations)
Where exposure to substances may cause damage to health
(Display Screen Equipment) Regulations)
At workstations where VDUs are used
(Manual Handling Operations Regulations)
Where hazardous lifting or carrying tasks are undertaken
(Noise at Work Regulations)
In noisy environments which could cause damage to hearing
All assessments must be reviewed and revised if any changes are introduced that could affect the health and safety of anyone. To help employers ensure that their risk assessments remain suitable and sufficient our consultants can carry out periodical reviews for your organisation.
If you would like to discuss your requirements please contact us on 01834 811006 or email - info@tom-cullen.co.uk
