Risk Assessments

Every company is under a statutory duty to carry out an assessment of all risks present within its workplace by a "competent person".

Risk assessment is nothing more than a careful examination of what, in your work, could cause harm to people, so that you can weigh up whether you have taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm. The aim is to make sure that no one gets hurt or becomes ill.

This includes identifying -

• Hazards within the workplace
• The likelihood of accidents caused by these hazards
• Action required to eliminate or minimise the risks

Risk assessment shouldn’t be overcomplicated. In most firms in the commercial, service and light industrial sectors, the hazards are few and simple. Checking them is common sense, but necessary.

• Hazard - means anything that can cause harm (e.g. chemicals, electricity, working from ladders etc.)
• Risk - is the chance, high or low, that somebody will be harmed by the hazard.

There is no such thing as a risk free workplace but you can minimise threats to health and safety through risk assessment.

Risk Assessments should be reviewed regularly and whenever significant changes occur within the workplace. A selection of Risk Assessments are available within our Downloads Area.