Risk Assessment Guidance

Health and Safety in the Workplace

Health and safety are integral parts of managing your business. Conducting a risk assessment is essential to identify workplace risks, implement sensible measures to control them, and ensure these controls remain effective.

Planning for Health and Safety

Effective planning helps turn your health and safety policies into action. Consider the following:

• Objectives: Define how you will ensure employee and visitor safety.
• Risk Identification: Determine potential hazards and assess whether current measures are sufficient or need improvement.
• Prioritisation: Identify which improvements are most urgent.
• Responsibility Assignment: Allocate specific health and safety tasks, deadlines, and expected outcomes.
• Measurement and Review: Establish methods to evaluate progress and effectiveness.

Legal Obligations

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HSW Act), you must ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety of yourself, employees, and others affected by your work activities. This applies to all work environments, including those who are self-employed.

Employees are also responsible for:

• Taking care of their own health and safety.
• Considering the health and safety of others affected by their actions.
• Cooperating with employers and co-workers to fulfil legal health and safety requirements.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires all risks to be assessed and controlled, where necessary, for every work activity and workplace.

Health and Safety Policy

Businesses must have a health and safety policy. If you have fewer than five employees, you are not required to document it. A typical policy consists of three sections:

1. Statement of General Policy: Your commitment to health and safety and what you aim to achieve.
2. Responsibilities: Outline who is responsible for health and safety actions.
3. Arrangements: Detail the practical steps to meet your policy commitments, including risk management measures.

Risk Assessment

1. Identify Hazards: Use manufacturers’ instructions, review accident records, and consider both routine and non-routine activities.
2. Determine Who May Be Harmed: Include employees, visitors, contractors, and the public. Consider vulnerable groups such as young workers, expectant mothers, and people with disabilities.
3. Evaluate Risks and Control Measures: Decide how likely harm is and implement practical solutions such as:
   • Substituting hazardous materials with safer alternatives.
   • Restricting access to hazardous areas.
   • Providing protective equipment and welfare facilities.
4. Record Findings: Document significant risks and control measures if you have five or more employees.
5. Review and Update Regularly: Adapt your risk assessment when changes occur, such as new equipment or processes.

Involving Employees

Engage your workers to:

• Identify overlooked hazards.
• Provide ideas on risk control measures.
• Ensure practical and effective solutions.

Cost-Effective Improvements

Simple, low-cost precautions can significantly improve safety. For example, installing mirrors at blind corners can prevent vehicle accidents.

Regular Reviews

Workplaces constantly change, so review your risk assessments regularly. Consider:

• Changes in processes or equipment.
• Feedback from employees.
• Lessons learned from incidents or near misses.

By consistently updating your risk assessments, you help ensure ongoing safety and compliance with legal requirements.