Guide to Risk Assessment in the Workplace

By Mark EvansHealth and Safety Manager

Swansea ITeC Limited

INTRODUCTIONIt is the aim of Swansea ITeC Ltd to work

proactively in reducing the level of risk to Staff,Trainees and Visitors within its establishment.

To enable Swansea ITeC Ltd to actively reducethe level of risk the subject of risk needs to be

clearly understood by all staff. They will then beable to develop solutions for lowering the level of

risk in a variety of situations.

THE RISK ASSESSMENT

What is risk assessment?The Health and Safety Executive (HSE)description of a risk assessment: ‘is simply a careful examination of what, in yourwork, could cause harm to people, so that you canweigh up whether you have taken enoughprecautions or should do more to prevent harm.Workers and others have a right to be protectedfrom harm caused by a failure to take reasonablecontrol measures.’

THE RISK ASSESSMENT

Anyone can undertake a risk assessment,although there are a number of specific assessments, such as manual handling and workstation assessments where some training isrequired. Details of these assessments will be provided inother procedure documents. The risk assessmentprocedure contained within this document isusable by any member of staff.

THE RISK ASSESSMENT

When thinking about your risk assessment, remember:

• A HAZARD is anything that may cause harm, (such as chemicals, electricity, working from ladders, an open drawer etc)

• the RISK is the likelihood, that somebody could be harmed by these and other hazards, together with an indication of how serious the harm could be.

Source: THE HSE INDG163(rev2)

HAZARD and RISKA HAZARD is anything that may cause harm

A live tiger is always a hazard

A live tiger, except perhaps when it is anaesthetised, always has the potential to cause you harm and is therefore, always a hazard.

Even the proverbial toothless tiger can harm you because, not only can it give you a nasty suck, it still has claws!

In general ‘A HAZARD is anything that may cause harm’ and, because a tiger can harm, it is a hazard.

HAZARD and RISKRISK is the likelihood, that somebody could be harmed by these and other hazards

A tiger which is free to roam about is a risk because it is likely that it will cause harm to someone.

•In general, a risk is the combination of the severity of harm and the likelihood that the harm will occur.

•Risk increases as the severity of the harm increases, or the likelihood of the harm increases, or both.

•A loose tiger in the centre of a town is a higher risk than a loose tiger in the jungle because it is more likely to harm someone in a town.

•A tiger in a cage is a low risk because it is unlikely to have the opportunity to inflict harm.

RISK = LIKELIHOOD X SEVERITY

How to carry out a Risk AssessmentFollow the five steps listed below:

• Step 1: Identify the hazards • Step 2: Decide who might be harmed and how • Step 3: Evaluate the risks and decide on

precaution • Step 4: Record your findings and implement them • Step 5: Review your assessment and update if

necessary

THE PROCESSACTIVITY:Risk Assessments will be undertaken by all members ofstaff, using the form ‘ITEC RISK ASSESSMENT’. This isavailable in the health and safety folder located in thereception area. Copies are also available on the server.

RESPONSIBILITY:• Management• Training Staff• Administration Staff

THE PROCESSACTIVITY:The Findings of the Risk Assessment will be checked by,and action to remove or control risks approved by theHealth and Safety Manager.

Any finding will be recorder on the risk assessment form.This will include who will be responsible for implementingfurther actions and when they should be done.

RESPONSIBILITY:• Manager of Health and Safety – Mark Evans.

THE PROCESSACTIVITY:Responsibility to ensure the action required isimplemented will be carried out by the ManagingDirector.

When each action is completed it will be ticked offand the date recorded.

RESPONSIBILITY:• Managing Director – Robin Gwynn

THE PROCESSACTIVITY:Responsibility to ensure the implemented actions haveremoved/reduced risks will be undertaken by the Healthand Safety Manager. This will be a review of the previous Risk Assessment. Theoutcome from this should show a lower risk rating on thefrom.

RESPONSIBILITY:• Manager of Health and Safety – Mark Evans

THE PROCESSACTIVITY:A staff meeting will be held to discuss the finding with staffand give out copies of the risk assessment.

RESPONSIBILITY:• Manager of Health and Safety – Mark Evans

THE PROCESSACTIVITY:Assessments will be reviewed and updated by the Healthand Safety Manager every year, or straightaway if anychanges in the workplace happen.

RESPONSIBILITY:• Manager of Health and Safety – Mark Evans

RISK ASSESSMENT MATRIX

Swansea ITeC Ltd – Risk Assessment Date of Assessment Assessment review date: Risk Rating To be completed by

H & S Manager What are the hazards?

Who might be harmed and how?

What are you already doing? Likely-hood

Severity Risk What further action is necessary? Action by whom?

Action by when?

Done

Assessment carried out by: ____________________________ Position: __ _______ __________ ______ Signed: __________________________ Date: ______________

Slips and Trips Staff, Trainees & Visitors may be injured if they tripover objects or slips on spillage

•Good Housekeeping•All areas well lit•No trailing leads or cables•Staff & Trainees keep work areas clear eg No boxes left in walkways / deliveries stored immediately

1 1 1Better housekeeping in the staff kitchen

All Staff & Trainees

From Now` 22/10/08

Slips and Trips Staff, Trainees & Visitors may be injured if they tripover objects or slips on spillage

•Good Housekeeping•Improve on Housekeeping•All areas well lit•No trailing leads or cables•Staff & Trainees keep work areas clear eg•No boxes left in walkways / deliveries stored• immediately

3 1 3 All Staff & Trainees

From Now` 22/10/08