Risk Assessment

 

As all businesses should be aware, Risk Assessment is a key factor in the management of Health and Safety.  Assessments may be generic, or relating to specific procedures or specific conditions, but they are all essential and need to be kept up to date.

Under the relevant legislation, risk assessments must be suitable and sufficient and cover both employees and non-employees affected by the employer’s undertaking.  Vulnerable people, including New and Expectant Mothers and Young People should also be taken into consideration when completing any risk assessment.

A good risk assessment should not be a bureaucratic or cumbersome exercise. It should identify the relevant hazards and help you to control the risks to your employees.

Most businesses will require at least the following Risk Assessments:

• General Workplace Risk Assessment;
• DSE Assessments (Computer Workstations);
• Fire Risk Assessment.

You may also require additional assessments depending on the nature of your business. For example:

• Use of machinery;
• Travelling for work;
• Working with the public.

There are many more areas that may need a specific risk assessment. Apart from the duty under the main relevant legislation for risk assessment, the following Regulations cover specific risk assessment to be made if relevant to the employer’s work:

• Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006
• Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 2002
• Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
• Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999
• Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
• The Confined Spaces Regulations 1997
• The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
• The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005
• The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992
• The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
• Work at Height Regulations 2005

Houghton Safety Services Ltd can assist in the production of Risk Assessments or train staff to be competent in producing them.

Please contact us to discuss your requirements.