VOLUNTARY SECTOR RISK VOLUNTARY SECTOR RISK ASSESSMENTASSESSMENT

Is yours right, wrong or Is yours right, wrong or just different?just different?

When is it good enough?When is it good enough?

TheThe Task Task

To risk assess every hazard To risk assess every hazard in your working in your working environment that has the environment that has the potential to cause harm!potential to cause harm!

Your first reaction?Your first reaction?

• Wow, what a great opportunityWow, what a great opportunity

OrOr

• Help. I can’t do thisHelp. I can’t do this

Accidents and ill health can ruin lives Accidents and ill health can ruin lives and affect your business too if output and affect your business too if output is lost, machinery is damaged, is lost, machinery is damaged, insurance costs increase or you have insurance costs increase or you have to go to court. You are legally to go to court. You are legally required to assess the risks in your required to assess the risks in your workplace so that you put in place a workplace so that you put in place a plan to control the risks.plan to control the risks.

Where to start?Where to start?Risk Assessments Risk Assessments What is risk assessment?What is risk assessment?

• According to the 5 steps to Risk Assessment According to the 5 steps to Risk Assessment published by the HSE it is:-published by the HSE it is:-

• A risk assessment is simply a careful examination of A risk assessment is simply a careful examination of what, in your work, could cause harm to people, so what, in your work, could cause harm to people, so that you can weigh up whether you have taken that you can weigh up whether you have taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm. Workers and others have a right to be protected harm. Workers and others have a right to be protected from harm caused by a failure to take reasonable from harm caused by a failure to take reasonable control measures.control measures.

REMEMBERREMEMBER:-:-1.1. There are standard formats that can be tailored to There are standard formats that can be tailored to

the situation but you cannot rely on a text book the situation but you cannot rely on a text book assessment that does not reflect the situation, assessment that does not reflect the situation, because:-because:-

2.2. EVERY ORGANISATION IS DIFFERENTEVERY ORGANISATION IS DIFFERENT

3.3. ALL CIRCUMSTANCES WILL BE ALL CIRCUMSTANCES WILL BE DIFFERENTDIFFERENT

4.4. EACH RISK ASSESSMENT MUST SUIT THE EACH RISK ASSESSMENT MUST SUIT THE EXISTING SITUATION AND EXISTING SITUATION AND ENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATIONENVIRONMENT OF THE ORGANISATION

How to assess the risks in your How to assess the risks in your workplaceworkplaceStep 1Step 1• Identify the hazardsIdentify the hazardsStep 2Step 2• Decide who might be harmed and howDecide who might be harmed and howStep 3Step 3• Evaluate the risks and decide on precautionsEvaluate the risks and decide on precautionsStep 4Step 4• Record your findings and implement themRecord your findings and implement themStep 5Step 5• Review your assessment and update if necessaryReview your assessment and update if necessary

Step 1 - identify the hazardsStep 1 - identify the hazards• Establish how people could be harmedEstablish how people could be harmed. When you work in a place . When you work in a place

every day it is easy to overlook some hazards. every day it is easy to overlook some hazards.

• Walk around Walk around your workplace and look at what could reasonably be your workplace and look at what could reasonably be expected to cause harm.expected to cause harm.

• Ask your employees Ask your employees or their representatives what they think. They or their representatives what they think. They may have noticed things that are not immediately obvious to you.may have noticed things that are not immediately obvious to you.

• Check manufacturers’ instructions Check manufacturers’ instructions or data sheets for chemicals or data sheets for chemicals and equipment as they can be very helpful in spelling out the and equipment as they can be very helpful in spelling out the hazards and putting them in their true perspective.hazards and putting them in their true perspective.

• Have a look back at your Have a look back at your accident and ill-health records accident and ill-health records – these – these often help to identify the less obvious hazards.often help to identify the less obvious hazards.

• Remember to think about long-term hazards to healthRemember to think about long-term hazards to health

Step 2 -Decide who might be harmed and howStep 2 -Decide who might be harmed and how• For each hazard you need to be clear about who might be harmed; it For each hazard you need to be clear about who might be harmed; it

will help you identify the best way of managing the risk. That will help you identify the best way of managing the risk. That doesn’t mean listing everyone by name, but rather identifying doesn’t mean listing everyone by name, but rather identifying groups of people (eg ‘people working in the storeroom’ or ‘passers-groups of people (eg ‘people working in the storeroom’ or ‘passers-by’).by’).

• In each case, identify how they might be harmed, ie what type of In each case, identify how they might be harmed, ie what type of injury or ill health might occur. For example, ‘carer may injure back injury or ill health might occur. For example, ‘carer may injure back when helping service user out of bed’when helping service user out of bed’

• Remember: some workers have particular requirements, eg new and Remember: some workers have particular requirements, eg new and young workers, new or expectant mothers and people with young workers, new or expectant mothers and people with disabilities may be at particular risk.disabilities may be at particular risk.

• Extra thought will be needed for some hazards; cleaners, visitors, Extra thought will be needed for some hazards; cleaners, visitors, contractors, maintenance workers, members of the public, etc, who contractors, maintenance workers, members of the public, etc, who may not be in the workplace all the time but if they could be hurt by may not be in the workplace all the time but if they could be hurt by your activities; if you share your workplace, you will need to think your activities; if you share your workplace, you will need to think about how your work affects others present, as well as how their about how your work affects others present, as well as how their work affects your staff – talk to them; and ask your staff if they can work affects your staff – talk to them; and ask your staff if they can think of anyone you may have missed.think of anyone you may have missed.

Step 3 -Evaluate the risks and decide on Step 3 -Evaluate the risks and decide on precautionsprecautions

• Having spotted the hazards, you then have to decide what to do Having spotted the hazards, you then have to decide what to do about them. The law requires you to do everything ‘reasonably about them. The law requires you to do everything ‘reasonably practicable’ to protect people from harm. So first, look at what practicable’ to protect people from harm. So first, look at what you’re already doing, think about what controls you have in place you’re already doing, think about what controls you have in place and how the work is organized. and how the work is organized.

• Consider:Consider:• Can I get rid of the hazard altogether?Can I get rid of the hazard altogether?• If not, how can I control the risks so that harm is unlikely?If not, how can I control the risks so that harm is unlikely?• Can I try a less risky option Can I try a less risky option • Consider the likelihood of harm; is itConsider the likelihood of harm; is it

– Very unlikelyVery unlikely– UnlikelyUnlikely– PossiblePossible– LikelyLikely– Highly likelyHighly likely

• Involve staff, so that you can be sure that what you propose to do Involve staff, so that you can be sure that what you propose to do will work in practice and won’t introduce any new hazards.will work in practice and won’t introduce any new hazards.

Step 4 -Record your findings and Step 4 -Record your findings and implement themimplement them• Write down the results of your risk assessment, and sharing them Write down the results of your risk assessment, and sharing them

with your staff, with your staff, • Keep it simple, for example ‘Tripping over rubbish: bins provided, Keep it simple, for example ‘Tripping over rubbish: bins provided,

staff instructed, weekly housekeeping checks’staff instructed, weekly housekeeping checks’• A risk assessment does not have to be perfect, but it must be A risk assessment does not have to be perfect, but it must be

suitable and sufficient. You need to be able to show that:suitable and sufficient. You need to be able to show that:

1.1. a proper check was made;a proper check was made;2.2. you asked who might be affected;you asked who might be affected;3.3. you dealt with all the significant hazards, taking into account the you dealt with all the significant hazards, taking into account the

number of people who could be involved;number of people who could be involved;4.4. the precautions are reasonable, and the remaining risk is low; andthe precautions are reasonable, and the remaining risk is low; and5.5. you involved your staff or their representatives in the process.you involved your staff or their representatives in the process.

Step 5 -Review your risk assessment and Step 5 -Review your risk assessment and update if necessaryupdate if necessary

• Look at your risk assessment again. It may be Look at your risk assessment again. It may be necessary to review them every 3 or 6 months. It may necessary to review them every 3 or 6 months. It may be annually. Every situation is individual. be annually. Every situation is individual.

• Have there been any changes? Have there been any changes?

• Are there improvements you still need to make? Are there improvements you still need to make?

• Have your workers spotted a problem?Have your workers spotted a problem?

• Have you learnt anything from accidents or near Have you learnt anything from accidents or near misses? misses?

• Make sure your risk assessment stays up to dateMake sure your risk assessment stays up to date..

What risk assessments and procedures What risk assessments and procedures do I have to make?do I have to make?

• AGENCY / TEMPORARY /AGENCY / TEMPORARY /VOLUNTARY PERSONNELVOLUNTARY PERSONNEL

• ACCESSACCESS• ACCIDENTSACCIDENTS• ACCIDENTS – Accident InvestigationACCIDENTS – Accident Investigation• ASBESTOS CONTROL & SAFETYASBESTOS CONTROL & SAFETY• AUDIT PROCEDURESAUDIT PROCEDURES

• BUSINESS TRAVEL ABROADBUSINESS TRAVEL ABROAD

• CONSTRUCTION WORKCONSTRUCTION WORK

• CONTRACTORSCONTRACTORS

• CONTRACTORS – Contractors Check CONTRACTORS – Contractors Check ListList

• CONTRACTORS – Contractors Permits CONTRACTORS – Contractors Permits to Workto Work

• CONTROL OF SUBSTANCES CONTROL OF SUBSTANCES HAZARDOUS TO HEALTHHAZARDOUS TO HEALTH

• DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENTDISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT• DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT – DSE DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT – DSE

risk self assessmentrisk self assessment• DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT – DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT –

Computer User GuideComputer User Guide

• ELECTRICITY AT WORKELECTRICITY AT WORK• ELECTRICITY AT WORK – Portable ELECTRICITY AT WORK – Portable

Electrical EquipmentElectrical Equipment• ELECTRICITY AT WORK – Equipment & ELECTRICITY AT WORK – Equipment &

user training recorduser training record• ELECTRICITY AT WORK – Electrical ELECTRICITY AT WORK – Electrical

Safety Information sheetSafety Information sheet

• EMERGENCY PROCEDURESEMERGENCY PROCEDURES• ENVIRONMENTAL POLICYENVIRONMENTAL POLICY• EVENTSEVENTS

• FIRE SAFETYFIRE SAFETY• FIRE SAFETY – PreventionFIRE SAFETY – Prevention• FIRE SAFETY – ProceduresFIRE SAFETY – Procedures• FIRE SAFETY - RecordFIRE SAFETY - Record• FIRE SAFETY - TrainingFIRE SAFETY - Training• FIRST AIDFIRST AID• FOOD & HYGIENEFOOD & HYGIENE

• GAS SAFETYGAS SAFETY

• HOME WORKINGHOME WORKING• HOME WORKING – Self assessmentHOME WORKING – Self assessment• HOME WORKING – Risk assessment HOME WORKING – Risk assessment

record/summary sheetrecord/summary sheet

• LONE WORKINGLONE WORKING• LIFT MAINTENANCELIFT MAINTENANCE

• MANUAL HANDLINGMANUAL HANDLING• MOBILE PHONES/PERSONAL DIGITAL MOBILE PHONES/PERSONAL DIGITAL

ASSISTANT (PDA)ASSISTANT (PDA)

NEW OR EXPECTANT MOTHERSNEW OR EXPECTANT MOTHERS

• OFFICE ENVIRONMENTOFFICE ENVIRONMENT• - Cleanliness- Cleanliness• - Doors- Doors• - Drinking Water- Drinking Water• - Floors- Floors• - Floor Area & Room Space- Floor Area & Room Space• - Housekeeping- Housekeeping• - Lighting- Lighting• - RSI/WRULD- RSI/WRULD

• - - Sanitary ConveniencesSanitary Conveniences• - Staircases, Stairwells- Staircases, Stairwells• - Storage- Storage• - Temperature & Ventilation- Temperature & Ventilation• - Welfare Facilities- Welfare Facilities• - Windows & Doors- Windows & Doors• - Workstations- Workstations• - Workspace- Workspace

• PERSONAL PROTECTIVE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)EQUIPMENT (PPE)

• POLICY STATEMENTPOLICY STATEMENT

• RISK ASSESSMENT – Risk Assessment RISK ASSESSMENT – Risk Assessment flow chartflow chart

• RISK ASSESSMENT – Workplace self RISK ASSESSMENT – Workplace self assessmentassessment

• RISK ASSESSMENT – Risk compliance RISK ASSESSMENT – Risk compliance certificatecertificate

• RISK ASSESSMENT – Record & RISK ASSESSMENT – Record & Summary sheetSummary sheet

• RISK ASSESSMENT – Safety Risk RISK ASSESSMENT – Safety Risk Assessment MatrixAssessment Matrix

• SAFE SYSTEMS OF WORKSAFE SYSTEMS OF WORK• SAFETY COMMITTEESAFETY COMMITTEE• SHOPS SHOPS • SMOKING AT WORKSMOKING AT WORK• STRESS PREVENTIONSTRESS PREVENTION

• VISITORSVISITORS• VEHICLE & DRIVER SAFETYVEHICLE & DRIVER SAFETY

• WORKING AT HEIGHTWORKING AT HEIGHT• WORKING AT HEIGHT – Equipment WORKING AT HEIGHT – Equipment

MaintenanceMaintenance• WORK EQUIPMENTWORK EQUIPMENT• WORK EQUIPMENT – Equipment & WORK EQUIPMENT – Equipment &

training record sheettraining record sheet• WORKING OUTDOORSWORKING OUTDOORS• WORK RELATED VIOLENCEWORK RELATED VIOLENCE• WAREHOUSE SAFETYWAREHOUSE SAFETY

• YOUNG PERSONS AT WORKYOUNG PERSONS AT WORK

Don’t panic – Help is at hand!Don’t panic – Help is at hand!

• Where can you get help from?Where can you get help from?

• Charities Safety GroupCharities Safety Group• Health and Safety ExecutiveHealth and Safety Executive• Professional BodiesProfessional Bodies• Training – NEBOSH etcTraining – NEBOSH etc• InternetInternet• BenchmarkingBenchmarking

• Review risk assessmentsReview risk assessments

• Any questions?Any questions?