Risk Assessments
Risk Assessment Process
- Hazard Identification
- Persons at Risk
- Evaluation of Risk Level
- Risk Controls (existing & additional)
- Record of risk assessment findings
- Monitoring & review
Types of risk assessment
There are two types of risk assessment, Qualitive & Quantitive
A Qualititive risk assessment will normally suffice for the main, this is where the appointed person will judge whether or not the risk is low, medium or high in relation to persons becoming injured. Remedial action should also be stated on the risk assessment depending on the risk assessment level see our table for further information.
A Quantitive risk assessment looks at things in a little more detail and is the format we use in Health & Safety Manager, it attempts to quantify the risk level in terms of the likelihood of an incident and its subsequent severity. The higher the likelihood and severity would lead to a higher risk. Likelihood depends on a number of factors such as control measures in place, frequency of exposure and also importantly the type of person exposed to the hazard.
A risk assessment matrix would look something like the chart below
| Likelihood of occurrence | Likelihood Level |
|---|---|
Harm is certain or near certain to occur |
High 3 |
Harm will often occur |
Meduim 2 |
Harm will seldom occur |
Low 1 |
| Severity of harm | Severity Level |
Death or major injury |
Major 3 |
3 Day injury or illness Serious |
Serious 2 |
All other injuries or illnesses |
Slight 1 |
RISK = SEVERITY x LIKELIHOOD
| Likelihood | Severity | ||
|---|---|---|---|
Slight 1 |
Serious 2 |
Major 3 |
|
Low 1 |
Low 1 |
Low 2 |
Medium 3 |
Medium 2 |
Low 2 |
Medium 4 |
High 6 |
High 3 |
Medium 3 |
High 6 |
High 9 |
Hierarchy of Risk Control
- elimination (avoiding risks)
- substitution (evaluating the risks which cannot be avoided)
- engineering (eg. isolation, insulation and ventilation (combating the risks at source)
- reduced of limited time exposure (adapting the work to the individual, especially as regards the design of the workplace, the choice of work equipment and the choice of working and production methods, with a view, in particular, to alleviating monotonous work and work at a predetermined work rate and reducing their effects on health.)
- good housekeeping (adapting to technical progress)
- safe systems of work (replacing the dangerous by the non – dangerous)
- training and information (developing a coherent overall prevention policy which covers technology, organisation of work, working conditions, social relationships and the influence of factors relating to the working environment)
- personal protective equipment (giving collective protective measures priority over individual protective measures)
- welfare (giving appropriate instruction to employees)
- monitoring and supervision
- review
A risk assessment is a working document that needs to be reviewed on a regular basis, frequency obviously depend on the level of risk and whether or not new equipment has been introduced. Health & Safety manager will automatically remind though email of when your risk assessments require to be reviewed and has a management report function displaying all amendments made over a chosen period of time.
Special risk assessments
Special attention should be paid to certain areas such as young persons or expectant mothers.
Expectant mothers are identified in the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 which incorporates Pregnant Workers Directive from the EU.
Areas that should be looked at include
- Manual Handling
- Chemical or Biological agents
- Ionizing Radiation
- Passive Smoking
- Lack of Rest Room facilities
- Temperature Variations
- Prolonged standing or sitting
- Stress & Violence to staff
With young persons it is important to take into account their age & maturity and their general inexperience.
Lone Workers
People who work alone should not be at any further risk than anyone else and the following questions should be asked:
- Does the particular workplace present a special risk to someone working alone?
- Is there safe egress and exit from the workplace?
- Can all the equipment and substances be safely handled by one person?
- Is violence from others a risk?
- Would women and young persons be specially at risk?
- Is the worker medically fit and suitable for working alone?
- Are special training and supervision required at any time?