Why do a Risk Assessment?

  • There is a legal requirement under the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and under the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999
  • Identify and control risks in a systematic manner
  • Prevent business loss

Every Employer must make suitable and sufficient assessment of the following:

a) the risks to the health and safety of his employees to which they are exposed whilst
they are at work

b) the risks to the health of safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in
connection with the manner in which his undertaking is conducted

What is a Risk Assessment?

It is an identification of the hazard present in or associated with an undertaking and an estimate of
the degree of risk involved.

There are three main elements:

  • identification of all hazards
  • evaluation of the risks
  • the measures required to control those risks

There are 5 steps in identifying a risk or hazard:

  • Identify the hazard
  • Decide who may be harmed and how
  • Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions
  • Record your findings and implement any necessary controls
  • Review your assessment on a regular basis i.e. every 2 years or if there is an accident or if anything changes. This could include changes in legislation, changes to the workplace or working practices

Areas where a Risk Assessment is a legal requirement:

  • Activity / task / process
  • Workplace – area of ward, office or department
  • Fire
  • Moving & handling
  • Substances
  • Work equipment
  • Display screen equipment

Who has to assess the risks?

You can assess the risks and record the significant findings yourself if you are confident that you can do so but, if not, you can get advice from the Health & Safety Team.

What do we need to assess?

  • Identify all hazards associated with the activity / process and evaluate the risks arising from those hazards.
  • Consider non-routine tasks
  • Identify potentially significant risks for each job element and record any significant findings

Responsibilities:

Health & Safety can:-

  • Contribute specialist health & safety knowledge
  • Ensure training is available
  • Deliver training as necessary
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