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Health and Safety at Work regulations require every employer to carry out a risk assessment and the HSE provide guidance.  The Fire Precautions (Workplace) Legislation requires an employer to carry out a Fire Risk assessment. 

Charities are also required to assess risk and the Charity Commission provides guidance which includes some worthwhile reading for all business managers.

Some people carry out a SWOT assessment of Stengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats, others a PEST analysis examining the Political, Economic, Social and Technological environment in which they operate.

In a business environment, everyone should consider how all risks can be reduced.  Can you benefit from regular assessments?  We have set out some ideas below, and we would welcome other suggestions.

The basic five steps of a risk assessment are -

  1. Look for the hazards
  2. Decide who might suffer and how
  3. Consider what action can be taken
  4. Record your findings
  5. Periodical review your assessment

1. Some likely hazards are -

People -

Equipment -

Workplace -

 Procedures - Materials -
  • You
  • Employees
  • Members of the public
  • Business visitors such as delivery personnell
  • Cutting tools
  • Guards missing from machinery
  • Lack of or worn protective clothing
  • Visual Display Screens (VDU's)
  • Location
  • Noise
  • Temperature
  • Ventilation
  • Working at height
  • Slippery surfaces
  • Tripping
  • Poor lighting
  • Electrical faults
  • Manual handling
  • Use of equipment
  • Maintenance of equipment
  • Inspections and setting of equipment
  • Moving parts
  • Cleaning fluids, bleach
  • Oil
  • Fumes
  • Waste
  • Flammable materials and fire
  • Asbestos
  • Lead

2. People who might suffer will fall into different groups such as new and inexperienced workers, visitors, people with disabilities, members of the public or people sharing the premises, maintenance and cleaning staff, as well as your employees.

3. How are the hazards being controlled, and can anything further be done to reduce them?  Is it possible to -

4. Recording your findings does not require any specified layout but should include -

Business Name / Address
List of significant hazards List of people at risk List of existing controls or note where information can be found.
List significant risks which are not adequately controlled and the action needed.
 

 

 

 

    
Signature / Date

5. A periodic assessment is only likely to take place if you schedule it in your diary as you complete the previous one, but intermediate assessments should be considered whenever there is a significant change, such as the introduction of a new working method, new technology, or a different level of staff.

See also - Contingency Plans, Computers, Crisis Management

Reminder - disclaimer applies. Please feedback your comments.  This page was last modified 1 September 2002.