Training Focus: Risk Assessments

Most of us have probably thought “what is a risk assessment and when do I need to do one?”  Risk management is a step-by-step process for controlling health and safety risks caused by hazards in the workplace. The easiest and safest way to document these risks is to assess them. Therefore, a risk assessment.

Employers are required by law to protect employees, and others, from harm. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the minimum they must do is:

• identify what could cause injury or illness in your business (hazards)
• decide how likely it is that someone could be harmed and how seriously (the risk)
• take action to eliminate the hazard, or if this isn’t possible, control the risk

You do this by identifying hazards, assessing the risks they pose, documenting how to control those risks, recording your findings and reviewing them at least annually but also when they; may no longer be effective, there are changes in the workplace (staff, processes, equipment used) that could lead to new risks, and if there have been any accidents or near misses. The reviewed document must then be updated with the review date.

Our risk assessment training is aimed at staff with the responsibility for carrying out risk assessments within their workplace. This participative course leaves delegates with a clear understanding of the risk assessment process.  We look at a number of different risk assessment templates (including your own) and complete a number of practical exercises.

For most small, low-risk businesses the steps you need to take are straightforward. You can do the Risk assessment yourself or appoint a competent person to help you. However, not every business has the same risks. You must think about the specific hazards and controls your business needs.

If you employ 5 or more people, you must record your significant findings. If you are a landlord of any building, Fire risk assessments are required to be carried out by law to ensure that the risks associated with fire are minimised in non-domestic premises to keep the people working, living or using the premises safe. This typically means workplaces but can also include common areas of premises provided by a landlord. These cannot be done by the owner and must be done externally. We can carry these out for you. Contact us for further details.