This document

contains 50 pages
L
 Risk
Assessment
in Oonstruction
Guide

1JST9(
- ____

-
Also available
in this series

RISK ASSESSMENTPADS

RISK ASSESSMENT GUIDE

RISK ASSESSMENT SAMPLE FORMS

RISK ASSESSMENT WALL CHART GUIDE

RISK ASSESSMENT POCKET GUIDE

 Risk
Assessment
in Construction
Guide

Published by
Construction Industry Publications Ltd.

Construction Industry
Publications Limited
60 New Coventry Road, Sheldon, Birmingham B26 3AY
Tel: 0121 7228200
Fax: 0121 722 8201

ISBN 1 85263 967 9

© Construction Confederation 1999 Printed by HomerPrint 0121 711 4499

THIS GUIDE IS APPROVED BY THE CONSTRUCTION CONFEDERATION

3
 Other usefuU

Reports of Inspection

Excaiion, Cofferdams etc.

1

\Scaffolding, Bosun's Chairs etc.

publications
JL?TSiJ'

S
:.
5
'
Reports of Thorough Examination & Inspection
LiftingOperations & Lifting Equipment Regulations 1 998

Ré'cordsoflnspection
Provision & Useof Work Equipment Regulations 1 998

Records of Personal Protective Equipment Issued

Record of Training Provided

Accident Book

Accident Book & Report Form

Risk Assessment
in Construction Guide
Contents /
FOREWORD

WHY IS THIS BOOK NEEDED?

Howto use this book
4t

WHATARE RISK ASSESSMENTS?•

Legislativerequirements
I
WHEN ARE RISK ASSESSMENTS SUITABLE & SUFFICIENT?
Identifysignificantrisks arising out ofthe work
Comply with the statutory provisions
Be appropriate to the nature of the work
Be regularlyreviewed and revised

WHO SHOULD CARRY OUT RISK ASSESSMENTS?

HOW SHOULD RISKASSESSMENTS BE COMPLETED?

Step 1: Identifytasks I activities
Step 2: Determinethe hazards
Step 3: Identifywho might be harmed
Step 4: Assess the significantrisks
Step 5: Considerand implement controls
Step 6: Record the findings
Step 7: Reviewand revise
Risk Assessment Summary

WHERE CAN I GET FURTHER INFORMATION?

 Acknowledgements
— 'a
SA
RutJcennerIey,
Cbnstruction Confederation
j -
I
'at
Foreword

1' I
Everyyear many constructionworkersare killed, injured, suffer ill healthorare
involved in dangerous occurrences as result of their workactivities. Such hazards
are not, however, restrictedto those Norkingon constructionsites, members of the
public are also killed or injured because constructionactivities have not been
adequatelyassessedand controlled

This series is aimed at enhancingyour health and safety management system, and to help'
all those involved in constructionto identifythe main causes ofaccidentsand ill health, and
explain how to eliminate the hazards, and con i"ti'ks.It will referto other relevant
documentsso that you can build up a cleaii'hdcornprehensive package.

BOOKS AVAILABLE IN THE SERIES

— Risk Assessmentin ConstructionGuide
— COSHH Assessmentin Construction Guide
— CDM Guide Managing Risk: Adding Value

Physical Agents in ConstructionGuide: Noise

—
Page blank
in original
Whyftils book needed?
As a participant in the constructionprocess you must be awarethatthe workis very
-
hazardous, demanding and stressful, with pressures on time and cost. Can we meetthe
program deadline and make a PROFIT?
In today's market, alongside the commercialconsideratios, the constructionindLstry
requiresits participantsto be able to demostrateto other partiesor enforcementauthorities
thatthey can successfully managehealth safety.
ar?d
Putting on a good show is not enough! -. -
Successful health and safety management revolvesmotaround paperwork and qualification
questionnairesbut around basic fundamenti ethicsl
1) preventingdeath;
2) preventingserious injuries;
3) preventingill health.
Protectingthe people who work for you anhoseaffectedjDy your activities should be the
main objective ofyour health and afety manaement-system.-Theelimination ofhazards
and the control of risks are the-foundations uponwhkh your sstern is built, and are better
known as RISK ASSESSMENT
Risk assessments are not new, as an employer you have been carrying out such assessments
duringthe day-to-day courseofyour business. You notice changes in working practices,
recognise problems as they occur and take the necessary action to avoid an accident.
Underthe Managementof Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 you are
legally obliged to carry out risk assessments on your premisesand tasks.They are not
optional extras. Ifthey are not made, then,unlessyou can demonstrate thatthe risks are
insignificant, a breach of criminal law is made, and you runthe risk ofsanctionsfrom the
enforcing authority. Theseverity of any enforcement action is, in practice, likelyto be
determined by the circumstances.
A number of employers have been prosecuted either for not carrying out an assessment, or
for not having made an adequate or suitable assessment. These prosecutionshave generally
followed an accident or incident ofill health:
Supermarketchain Sainsbury'swere fined £425,000 following the death ofawarehouse
employee who was hit by a reversingvehicle. The dead man had been inspectinga reach
fork lifttruck when he was crushedby it, suffering internal injuries. Sainsbury'swere
charged with six breachesof health and safety law and pleaded guiltyto all. The basis of
the charges were:
no system of planned maintenancein place and inadequate records kept ofwork done on

""trucks;
no effective arrangementsfor reporting defectsor removing defectivetrucks fromservice;
using reachtrucks with significant defects;

' no adequate local management systemto run and monitorproceduresfor the safe
operation and maintenanceof reachtrucks;
no competent safety advisorat the depot; and
no general risk assessments had been made and the findings were not recorded.
 This booklet providesyou with the means of making risk assessments,and for
sharingthesewith employees and with othersaffected by your work.
I:
HOWTO USE THISBOOK
-
booklet has five sections and associatedchedules. Setion 1 tells you what the law
ThisThe rest
says. provides comprehensiveguidance on howyou can comply with the law. A
nuhsber dipi-ojectsare followed through to illustrate how the advice can be put into
pactk. l4ections can be dipped into accordingtoyourneedsbut reading through all
the 1ext will 1\elp you gain a more comprehensivepicture.
Section
This I 1: What areRisIcAssessments?
utlTes the health and safety legislation, whichis most relevant to risk
assmentsand-explains the requirements to fulfilthe statutory provisions
Section 2:-Wliinare Risk Assessments Suitable and Sufficient?
For a risk assessment to fuiflithestatutory requirements it must be "suitable and sufficient".
This section discusses the conditions to be met to ensure that your risk assessments are
suitable and sufficient.
Section 3: Who ShouldCarryOut Risk Assessments?
This section provides guidance on the competency requirements for personnel completing
risk assessments.
Section 4: Howshould a RiskAssessment be Completed?
This section looks atthe mechanismsfor completing a risk assessment and gives advice on
how to use a seven step strategy.
I
Section 5: Where can get further information?
Providesdetails on where you can get further publications and advice about risk
assessment.
Section 1
What are Risk Assessinents?
> APAPER CHASE!

> LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS

— General Risk Assessments
Specific Risk Assessruients
—

jj:
Page blank
in original
What are risk assessments?
A PAPER CHASES
Ifyou considerrisk assessment to be acontrived paper chase rememberthatthe purpose of
the exercise is to reducedeaths,serious injuries and ill health. In addition, wherethe
assessmentsare completedcorrectlythere is evidencethatthere are benefitswhich can include:l

1) increased productivity;
2) increased efficiency;and
3) profitable operation
5
LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS

Underhealth and safety legislationthere is aeneral dutyonyou to take reasonably

practicablestepsto ensure the healthand safety ofyouenlojiees and peoplewho are not in
youremploy, suchas membersofthe public. You also havea duty to inform your employees
ofthe risks to their healthand safety associated with the worktheydo. This simply follows a
responsible viewthat workersshould not run risks ofwhich they are whollyunaware,and the
information helpsto explainthese to employeesand motivate them to followand implement
safe practices.

Risk assessment allows you to discharge both these duties. By assessingthe task, you are
identifjingthe hazards to youremployeesand others and you are implementing controlsto
eliminate or reducethe hazardto an appropriate level. Also by recordingthe risk assessment

you are providing your employeeswith information regardingthe risks to their health and
safety whilst carrying outthat operation.

General Risk Assessments

Underregulation 3 ofthe Managementof Healthand Safety at Work Regulations
1992you are required as an employer /the self-employedto complete risk assessments,you
must therefore;

(a) make a suitable and sufficient assessment ofthe risks to workers and any others who may
be affectedby youractivities;
(b) reviewthe risk assessment ifyou believe it is invalid orthere has been a significantchange
in circumstances;
(c) where you employ more than five peopleyou must record the significantfindings ofyour
assessments.
 You must always rememberthatthe main goal ofany risk assessment process is to establish
an efficient systemofsafety management: Ifthe prescribed method of doing a job is
unworkable, inconvenient,long-winded or is causingproblernsthen this is a symptom ofpoor
managementand must be identified and addressed. Ifthe present method is eventually
establishedas the only practicablesafe method then nanagement roust fully inform employees
ofthe easons whythe method ofworkmust be adheredto, and arrangea suitable level of
-
supervisionand taihingto ensurethat it is.
Theiequirernent under regulation 3 appliesto every aspectofyour business. In practicethis
meansthatyou must look atall the tasks that make up the workyou carry out and assess
whether the hazards thatcould affect the health and safety ofemployeesor anyone else are
controlledtoalevel that is acceptable.
A review'bfyour-assessmentswill be necessary if it isthought to be no longer valid, or if
there has been a significant change in the activities assessed. Ifthe review reveals thatchanges
to your assessmentsare required, you should make those changes immediately and inform your
employees

Specific Risk Assessments

Specifichazards and special individual regulationsmay require a specific assessment ofrisk.

The following list of regulationscontain specific requirements forthe carrying out and
recording ofsome form of assessment (of risk, hazard, exposureor other termas used in the
regulations).

Control of Lead atWorkRegulations 1980

Control ofAsbestos at Work Regulations 1987

" Noise atWorkRegulations 1989

Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations1992

Manual Handling OperationsRegulations1992

L' Personal ProtectiveEquipment at Work Regulations 1992

' Provisionand Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998

Control ofSubstances Hazardousto Health Regulations1999

Section 2
When are Risk Assessments
suitable and sufficient?

> IDENTIFY THE SIGNIFICANTRISKS ARISING

OUT OF THE WORK

> COMPLY WITH THE STATUTORY PROVISIONS

> BE APPROPRIATE TO THE NATURE OF THE

WORK

> BE REGULARLY REVIEWED & REVISED

Page blank
in original
When are risk assessments
suitable & sufficient
To comply with the Managementof Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 all fisk
assessmentsmust be suitable and sufficient.

A suitableand sufficient risk assessment will have been completedwhere:

1) it identifiesthe significantrisks:
2) it complieswith the statutory provisions:
3) it is appropriateto the nature ofthe work:
4) the information has beenpassed on to those affected:
5) it is regularlyreviewedand revised.

IDENTIFYTHE SIGNIFICANTRISKS ARISING OUT OF THE WORK

Focus onthose risks thatare liable to arise because ofyour workactivities. Any trivial risks can

usuallybe ignored as can risks arisingfromany routine activitiesassociated with life in general,
unless your workactivity compoundsthose risks, orwhere there is evidence ofsignificant

relevance toyour particularworkactivity.

COMPLY WITHTHE STATUTORY PROVISIONS

Asuitable and sufficient risk assessment should enableyou to identirS,and prioritize the
measures that needto be taken to comply with the relevantstatutory provisions.

BE APPROPRIATE TO THE NATUREOFTHE WORK

Yourrisk assessmentsand theirsignificantfindingsshould be used positivelyby your
management.for exampleto change working procedures orto introducemedium to long-term
controls.

Forrelativelystatic operations,yourrisk assessmentshould be such that itis not necessary to

repeat itevery time someoneis exposed to a hazard in comparablecircumstances. Such
assessmentsare calledgenericassessments.For a genericassessmentto be suitableand sufficient

itshould cover the usualmain componentsofthetasks canied out, and where appropriategive
a clear indicationofthe sort oftask that may requirean additional specific assessment before
being carried out.
 I

THE INFORMATION HASBEEN PASSEDON TO THOSE AFFECTED

Wheneveryou assessa workplaceorworkactivity you must ensure thatthe assessment is

passed on to those affected.This does not meanthatyou tell themthat risk assessment has been

ompleted and is availableon requestetc. Rätheryou should be ensuringthat all those affected
re informed ofthehazards and the necessary controlsthat must be implemented.You should
áso ehiethat ifthere are any significant changes totheenvimnment orworking practices,

the'seshdukjbe reported immediately asthey may supersede the risk assessment.

BEREGULARLYREVtEWEDAND REVISED

Yoiineedtorviewyour risk assessmentsifthere are developmentsthat suggest that it may no

longer b\älid. For example,an accidentordangerousoccurrence has occurred orthe
introduction ofnew materialsor plant and equipment intothe workama.
 )_-;- .i Y .1

Section 3
Who should carry out
Risk Assessments?

> THE AREA, DEPARTMENTOR ACTIVITY TO

BE ASSESSED

> THE RISK ASSESSMENT- PROCESS

> CURRENT HEALTH & SAFETY PRACTICE

> SEEKING SPECIALIST ADVICE

Page blank
in original
 J

Who should carry out risk

assessments?
Eitheran individual or a team can can-y out risk assessment.

Different organisations adopt different approkches based on:

J)theirsize;
2)the complexityoftheir activities; and

3)theirresources. ¼
Howeveryou choose to carryout yourrisssessments you must ensurethatthe people

involved are competent.

But whatmakes someone competentto coijletea'i'iskassessment?

Various definitionsofcompetenceare banded about the healthand safety industry. Ideally it

can be broken down intoa number of elements:

I)appropriatetraining:
2)adequateknowledge:
3)experience:
4)other relevantqualities.e.g. knowledgeofconstructiontechniques:
5)an awareness of their own limitations;e.g. they should know when and in what
circumstances it is necessaryto seekfurther adviceor assistance.
Havingascertained the qualitiesthe competent personmust have, you must then decide who
should be appointed to can'y out the task. Thereis no idealsolution to choosing the competent

personand the decision usuallydependson your resources, thesize ofyour organisation and the
degree ofrisk.
In general however, your competent person would beexpected to know and have experience of:
• The area, departmentor activityto be assessed
An understandingofthe processes or workactivitiesyou carryout, This may involve a detailed

understandingof design capabilities, constructionsequencing, orlimitations ofthe premises. It

may bethat a considerable amount of detail is required and maybeone persondoes not have
all ofthe relevantknowledgeand information.
• Thexisk assessmentprocess
Know and understand:

1)the differencebetweenhazards and risks V

L
risks can be assessedand the significance cfthe corrolmeasures;
how
3)where appropriate,the use ofspecialisttechniquesand where they should be applied;

4)he lmitts ofthe process and the possible errors, together with aneed to carryout
fuhe?skassessment when the risks change:
5)the legal requirementsfor risk assessment, including recording, disseminationand review:
• CurreiitheaIthandsafetypractice
Be able to-identify-existingcontrol measures and make recommendationsto eliminateor

reducethe risk. Have knowledgeofthe current legalrequirements,relevantguidanceand

accepted company working practices.

• Seeking specialist advice

Your assessor(s)must know and accepttheir limitations. The risk assessment process may cover

a wide variety oftopics ranging frommachinerytothe control and use of LPG,some ofwhich

may be beyond your assessor. Itwill, therefore,occasionallybe necessary foryour assessorto

seekfurther assistance. Thereforean important part ofyourassessorsabilityincludes identifying

circumstances in which specialistassistancewill be required.

Section 4
How should a Risk
Assessment be coqipleteq?1

STEP ONE: IDENTIFY &LIST ALL YOUR

WORKACTIVITIES/TASKS

> STEP TWO: DETERJ'VUNE -THE HAZARDS

— So what is a hazard'
— So what type of hazardôu1d cause harm?

STEP THREE: WHO MIGHT BE HARMED

> STEP FOUR: ASSESS SIGNIFICANT RISKS

> STEP FIVE: CONSIDERING & IMPLEMENTING

CONTROL MEASURES
— Safe place controls
— Safe person controls
— Safe PPEcontrols

STEP SIX: RECORD THE FINDINGS

> STEP SEVEN: REVIEW & REVISE

> RISK ASSESSMENT SUMMARY

L=-I
Page blank
in original
 rir. a' . - -

How should a Risk•

Assessment be completed?
STEP 1: IDENTIFY& LISTALL YOUR WORKCTIVITIES/ TASKS
Before you begin your risk assessment procss, you needtd accuastely identify yourtasks.

Planning yourrisk assessment programbased1on the tasks you undertake hasthe advantage that
it accurately describes the jobs thatyouremplbyeesF
emjloyedto undertake.
Yourfirst step isto preparean inventoq, ofallthwoltasks under yourcontrol. Atthis stage
DO NOT considerif these tasks containhazards. (Those ofyou that have a quality management
systems to lSO9000 may find that much of ijforrnatiorniswithin yourquality assurance

documentation).

Tasks to beconsideredcan range fromsomethingas sithple as changingatoner cartridge,to

somethingas largeand complexas constructinga bridge. Theformer exampleinvolves opening

the printer,removingthe existingcartridge, removingthe protectivepackagingfromthe new
toner cartridge, placingthe new cartridgein position, etc. Howevet the latter example cannot

be so easily split into all its componenttasks, so itwill have to be brokendown further into more

manageable tasks which can then be individually examined.

So in order for you to adequatelyassess risks associated withyourtasks, a manageable level of

detail is requiredand this demandsthat some ofyourtasks are brokendown further into

component parts. Each ofthesetasks is then examined intum, scrutinising, the use of plant and

equipment, the use ofsubstances and materials, processes, and the placewhere it is carried out.

For example: take constructinga bridge.You can identify thefollowing tasks forassessment:

L'- workingat heights

> use ofscaffolding
> workingover water

l use of liftingequipment

slingingofloads
underground services

pagefwèritif iv
 sw
STEP 2: DETERMINE THE HAZARDS
Having drawn up your inventory oftasks, the nextstage is for you to identify the
inherenthazards associatedwiththe task.
So What Is A Hazard?
A hazard is the inherentproperty or ability ofsomething to cause harm, loss or
damage. A hazard has the potential to interruptor interfere witha processor person.
Itis thepotential to cause harm. /
floumust identify all the hazards associated ith the activIty i.e. those aspects (for
example substancesor equipment, work procsses, or workenvironment) which have the
3otenti tocause harm. If there are specific Acts or-RuIations to be complied with,
these
rayb able to help to identifythe hazards.
henlàkIri at hazards in the workplace. you should be careful to identify the full
rahge of posibilities. lncreasingli, many oftoday's ha2ards would not have been
identified even a few years ago. Smoking at work, the threat of violence, stress
con'ditions, the hazards when driving company vehicles on theroad are all examples of
new h'zards-
WhendefiifiTng hazards remember that actual practice may differ from your
prescribédpractices/procedures: indeed this is frequently a route whereby risks creep in
unnoticed Always consider the non-routineoperations affiliated with the task, e.g.
maintenance operations, loading and unloading, transportation of materials to work
areas. Interruptions to. and the alterationof workingpractices are a frequent cause of
accidents Look at the management of such incidents and the procedures to be followed
It must be strongly emphasised thatthe assessment's purpose is to identify the hazards
associatedwith the tasks as they are actually performed within the organisation rather
if
than how they should be performed. It will not be fully effective assessment managers,
supervisors or operators do not tell you that the job is actually donea different way to
that laid in the organisation's manual.
So What Typeof Hazards Could Cause Harm?
Listed below are a numberof examples, which are regular causes ofserious and fatal
accidents or ill health:
1) FaIls from height of people and objects
2) Electrical contact
3) Striking by movingvehicles
4) Contact with movingmachinery
5) Contact with hazardous substances
6) Fire and explosion
7) Structural collapse
8) Repetitive movements and physical strain
9) Manual Handling
10) Noise

Iffromourtask list above we select use of scaffolding, the following hazards can
t
be identified:
falls of persons
falls of materials and equipment
collapse ofthe structure
STEP 3: WHO MJGHT BE HARMED

types of people who may be affected by the task and its hazards. r
The information you have collated in the previoussteps should reveal-muchabout the
a complete risk
assessment you must consider all potential groups, not justthose employees directly involved
in the task. You must consider others who might be affected. Do not forgetoffice staff.
cleaners, maintenanceor repair staff, security staff, delivery drivers, subcontractors,visitors,
the general public and trespassers. /
When you are consideringyour groups rememberthatyou must consider the affects drul
such people under all the potential the task. i.e. normal
circurnstanceurcounding
operational conditions, during maintenance at in
lone Workihg, working heights,working
close proximity to other contractors.working in occupied premises, etc.

The following can be used as an initial guide to identifying the personswho may be at risk:
1.All employees, directlyinvolved in thworkactivitye.g.operatives, supervisors.
managers.inspectors, administratorsand thod who provide ancillary services or may come
into contactwiththe work activity e.g. maintenaice workers, cleaners, emergency staff,
security staff, delivery personnelshould be considered. -The effect of ahazard on an
operative will depend on factorssuch as
a) age—young people may be atgreater risk due to inexperience
b)sex—somemanual handling tasks maybe beyond the abilityofsome women
c) state of health — someonewith asthma will be at greater risk from respiratory sensitisers
2.Otheremployers'personnele.g. other employerssharing premises, contractors',
operativesand staff. Considerationshould be given asto co-operation between firms. When
working on a construction site that incorporates a number ofcontractors you must take those
contractors into account when completing your assessment. Identify problemsthe workmay
cause for others atthe site, or problems they may cause for those doing the workand agree
with themthe necessary precautions. Then inform the principal contractor or whoever is
controlling the site what has been agreed.
3.Visitors e.g. clients, architects, structural engineers, emergencyservices, delivery drivers,
invited visitorsand uninvited visitors.
4.Others Occupiers, members ofthe public, passers-by, neighbours, driverson the road.
Someofyour hazardsmay present particular problemsto certain individuals or groups of
people withinthe categories listed above. Insome cases the level of knowledge. experience
and health status required for an activity will call for certain groups ofpeople to be
identified and excludedfrom that activity.

The following are examplesofpersonswho are often at particular risk from hazards:
1.Young employees.When making risk assessments it is necessary to consider whether
young personsare to be employed and ifso, whether any specialprecautions are required
due to such factors as:

pagty-seven
a)their inexperience;
b)their immaturity and lack.ofawarenessof risk;
c) the nature ofthe toolsfi.'e'quipment
they may have to use as part oftheir training;
d)the environment they have to workin; and
e) risks fromhazardoussubstances.
Ifa significant risk tothe young person still reriiains after completing your risk assessment,
tFn you must not employ young workersto dcthis work.,
2.New employees:those employees new toyour organisation,even if qualified, might be
athigh
U
i'
certain activities until they have had adequate time to familarise themselves
4
with your working practices or have had adequate supervised experience.
3.Pegn4twomen and nursing mothers:certain hazards, such as lead and radiation,
may adverselyaffect a pregnant or nursing woman and her child.
4.Children:this group is ofspecial concern when consideringunauthorised access to a site,
remrcii1dFdi''do nqt appreciate risks and may not be able to read your warning signs.
5. Individuals with disabilities or medical conditions:that will increase the risk of a
hazard ausing hafm to them. It does not necessarily mean that these employeesshould be
prevented from working in a particular activity but rather that extra control measuresmay be
required to protect them. Eg. Asthma sufferer working in a confined space. wheel chair
access along a pavement where scaffold has been erected.

6. Loneworkers:Tasks thatare often or normally carried out by one person alone must be
identified and carefully consideredwhen the risks ofthe hazards involved in the task are
analysed. Two factors must be taken into account when consideringlone workers:

a)the risks involved high risk activities will always require more than one person (entry
into confined space)
b)The competence ofthe person—apprentices, trainees and inexperiencedworkers must
have an appropriate level of supervision; constant close supervision may be necessary in
some cases.
Who may be harmedfromthe use ofscaffolding:

' employees usingthe equipment can fall

employeesworking below the equipment can be struck by falling personnel.

' materialsand equipment

others (subcontractors,official visitorsand the general public) can be struckby

falling personnel, materialsand equipment

employees usingthe equipment, otheremployees and other partiescan be injured

Ikilled by the collapseofthe scaffold
" Trespassers (especiallychildren) gaining illegal access can fall or effect the stability
ofthe structure by tampering with it.
Are there any special groupswho should be identified:

YOUNG EMPLOYEES; their inexperience ofworking atheights and offscaffolding.

and their lackofawareness ofrisk will requirespecial consideration
e.g.(banyoung employeesfromscaffolding,close supervisionrequirementsor

' additional information,instructionand training)

NEW EMPLOYFES: new employees may not be awareor have worked on the type of
scaffold used, or'altemativelythey may not be fully up to speed on yourworking
practices.

CHILDREN:children love to climband they see scaffoldingas a very large

climbing frame. Childrendo not appreciate risks and may not be able to read
warning signs. All possiblecontrols should betaken to deny entry onto scaffoldby
children, e.g. (removal ofall laddersto a secure store,total enclosure

' ofthe base ofthe accessequipment).

I
DISABILITIES MEDICAL CONDITIONS:where scaffoldingencroaches onto a
pedestrian thoroughfareconsiderthe requirementsofdisabledusers, wheel chair
access, blind pedestrians running into access equipment etc.

So our list ofWHO MAY BE HARMED will include

EMPLOYEES (special considerationtoyoung and newemployees)

SUBCONTRACTORS

VISITORS

GENERALPUBLIC (considerdisabledusers)

TRESPASSERS

CHILDREN

1:1
STEP 4: ASSESS SIGNIFICANTRISKS
RISK is the chance or probability ofloss, it is the likelihood that harm will result in a particular
situation or circumstance. Anotherway ofdefining risk isthat it isthe probability thata hazard
will result in an accident.
Thushaving identified the existence ofahazard, you must attempt toassessits level of risk in
order to identify and prioritise your control measures. Many techniqueshave been developed
over the years, however you should recognise that risk assessment is not a precise science and
there are no specific rules or requirementsas to howyou quantifythe risk
We suggest you adopt asystemofanalysis, based on subjectivejudgements usinggeneralised
data on risk. Thereforeto assess the significant risks of a particularhazardyou must ask yourself
the followingquestions?
1)Whati the likelihood or probability ofan accidentorincident occurring?
2) What vould bethe severity ofthe outcome, in tem].ofinjury, damageand loss?
3) What cvodldbethe apprximatenumber ofpeople affected?
4 What is the frequencyof exposure to risk?
5)What isthe maximum possible loss?
Your ns'ets should be limited to:
H = High,-M-= Medium, I = Low, I = Insignificant
Forexample,take ageneral assessment forthe use of scaffolding,one ofthe hazards
will be an employee falling from heights
WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD/PROBABILITYOF AN ACCIDENT! INCIDENT
OCCURRING? Ifsufficientcontrol measures are in place, ensuringthatthe access
equipment is fit for purposeand all necessary edgeprotection. e.g. guardrails. toe boards
are in place, the likelihood probability would be L = Low
I
WHAT WOULD BE THE SEVERITYOF THE OUTCOME, IN TERMS OF INJURY,
DAMAGEAND LOSS? The severityoroutcome ofan employeefalling from a height is
very serious, ultimatelythe employee could die from their injuries or suffer serious
injuriesthat may lead toan inability towork . thereforethe severity would be H = High
WHAT WOULD BE THE APPROXIMATENUMBER OF THE PEOPLE AFFECTED?
The number of people affectedcould be limited to the employee who fell, however you
mustconsiderthe effect upon your workforce orothers (general public and visitors)
witnessingsuchan incident, Also your employee may fall onto other employeesor
others affectedbyyour works, ultimately,therefore,the number of peopleeffected could
be numerousM = Medium
WHAT IS THE FREQUENCYOF EXPOSURE TOTHE HAZARD? The frequencyof
exposurerelates to the number oftimes and durationthatemployeesare exposureto
the hazard. Where employees are working offscaffolding,the exposureis constantfrom
the moment the employee places hisfoot on the firstladder rung, until they step offthe
last at ground level. Thusthe frequency is H = High
WHAT IS THE MAXIMUM POSSIBLE LOSS? The maximum possible loss is the death
ofan employee.A very high price to pay H= High
We would then analyse the responses, the majority ofthe answers fall into
the high risk category(I, H, M, H, H) so the conclusioncanbe drawn that the
overall risk of the hazardis HIGH
STEP 5: CONSIDERING & IMPLEMENTING CONTROL MEASURES
Onceyou have identified your hazardsand assessed their risks you should consider whether
all the existing control measures you have in place are adequate to prevent and protect
people frominjury. Takeinto account all ofyour existing preventative orprecautionary
control measures, they may already reduce the risk sufficiently in terms ofwhat needs to be
done to comply with relevant statutory provisions. BUTare they working properly? Does
action needto be taken to ensurethey are properly maintained? Are they enough?
Almost every incident involving an unsafecondition hassome element ofhuman error,the
X FACTOR. The X factor is an unknown, you can neither predict it noranticipate it, and it'
usually comes in the form of an unsafe act or omission. It is therefore, essential to do as
much as is reasonablypracticable to prevent accidentsand ill health by makingthe
workplace, plant and equipment, materialsand proceduressafe. This can be doneby
s
physicalor mechanicalmeansof hazard control, knowd safe place controls, by providing
training, instruction and safe procedures,known as safe person controls and by the issue and
wearing ofpersonal protective equipment, safe PPE coqtrols.
Therefore control measures can be split into safe place controls, safe person controls and
safe PPE controls, see Figure 1.
Safe place measuresare physicalor mechanicalmeasüfginendedto make your place of
work and everything in it safe by implementing controls sfics guards, local exhaust
ventilation, level floors, good lighting and edge protection.
Safe person measuresare aimed at those people affected by yourtask, they attempt to
raise perception ofrisk and increase skill. The controls include supervision, training,
instruction, proceduresand signs.
Safe PPE controls, ie. provision and use of PPE, suchas eye protection. ear protection.
safety boots and shoes, should be seen asTHE LAST RESORT. PPE should be adopted only
where hazardsand risks cannot be eliminated or satisfactorilyreduced by the adoption of
safe place or safe person controls.
This is a useful distinction when you are consideringcontrol measures as safe place controls
are (generally)more effective than safe person controls and safe person controlsare
(generally)more effective than safe PPE controls. It is usually best to implement controls
from all categoriesto reduce risk as far as reasonablypossible. It is essentialthat as a risk
assessoryou understanding not only the general principles of control but their hierarchical
adoption
In planning to control risks, the measures selectedshould be as near as possibleto the top
of the hierarchy of control, which is outlined in orderofpriority below. Those measuresat
the top ofthe hierarchy reduce risk more effectively than thbse atthe bottomand so you
should consider control measuresin these terms. This approach should be adopted even if
all specific legislativerequirements have been complied withas legislation generallysets
minimum standards. Note: that a combination of more than one ofthe following may be
necessary in many cases.

Safe place controls

One or, more usually, a number ofsafe place measures should be consideredto control a
hazardas a first step, before consideringwhich safe person measurewill be needed. There
are three basic strategieswhich provide a physical or engineeringapproach to hazard control:
1) eliminate the hazard;
2) reduce the risk ofthe hazard atsource;
3) control exposureto the hazard by meansof physicalmeasures that preferably protect
everyone rather than individuals.
Elimination
Elimination involves removing the hazard completely. This is the most effective method of
dealing with a hazard. Examplesare:
1) usingawater based adhesive or paint instead ofone which is toxic or flammable(solvent-based);
2) providing the socketoutletat the point of use, thus eliminating the need for trailing cables;
3) removing the trailingcable hazard by using batteryoperated tools:
4) handling materials with a fork lift truck or hoistinstead of manually;
5) filling a hole in the floor:
6) replacing fragile roof material with a solid roof;
7) closingroads to traffic during road works;
8) purchasingfinished components rather than having to grindor polish them on site;
9) redesigninga delivery area to remove the need to reverse vehicles:and
10) p!dvidiig light fittings that can be lowered to the ground for bulb changing
Note: that an alternativeto on hazardmay present a different hazard which will then
have to be assess.
Hazardelimination issomething that is required to be doneto the greatestextent that is
reasonably-practicable. The risk assessment may reveal that hazard elimination is the desirable
control 3trategy, but when the testofreasonablypracticable is applied, it may be found to be
an unbconornic proposition. Even in these circumstances, however, elimination could be
establishedas the ultimate objective with a clearly defined timetable set forthe attainment of
this goal.

Eliminate
SAFE Risk Reduction
PLACE Engineering!
Design
Controlof
Exposure

ProtectiveDevices
- Safe Systems of Work
SAFE p
PERSOI Training
Information and Instructions
Houskeeping
Welfare

SAFE Personal protective equipment

(safetyboots, safety helmets, gloves, eye protection,
PPE ear protection, overalls, Harnesses, gas detectors, ets)
 Technologicalprogress meansthat whatis not reasonablypracticable todaymay be
reasonablypracticable in 12 months ortwo years. Therefore, the decision that a certain
hazard elimination action is not reasonable todaywill not remain a valid decision forthe
indefinite future.
The idealSituation is thatall risks should be eliminated. In many cases, however, it is not
possibleto completely eliminate a risk. Someform ofcontrol must, therefore be applied.
Thevarious forms of control, which must be related to the extent of the risks involved, are
summarisedbelow.
at
Reduce the Risk Source
It is oftenpossibleto reduce the risk at source,orto use a safer alternative. The following
are examples:
1) choosing less flammable solvent to replacea highly flammable solvent (ifa non-
flammable alternative is not available);
2) replacing asubstancewhich is "very toxic" with one that is "harmful";
3) installing a machine with a lower noise level;
4) using nylon rollersto replace metal rollers in orderto reducethe noise level;
5) using materialsin smaller,lighter packages for easierhandling;
6) providing mechanicaldamping measures to reducethe dust given off during cutting or
grinding; and
7) fitting aspeed governor to a vehicle.
I
Engineering Design
Improved design orprocess engineeringcan bringabout changes to provide betteroperator
protection. This may entail, for instance, liaison with designers, manufacturersand importers
ofwork equipment and ofsubstances used in the construction process. The implementation
ofthe CDM Regulationsaims to make the worksafer by design,redesignlayout, introduce
/
saferequipment and materials, redesign plan the worksequenceto reduce the risks.
Control of exposure
Thereare a number of exposure control measures availableand they are briefly outlined
below:
Enclosureand containment
This meansthat you encloseor contain the risk in such a way that accessto it is denied.
Thus, the containment of an offending agent or environment stressor, suchas machinery
noise, prevents excessive noise in the working environment, Enclosure can be subdivided
into full enclosureand partial enclosure. Full enclosureis where the hazard is completely
enclosed orcontained, for example, a cover for a hole or vehicle inspection pit, anoise
reducing enclosurearound a machine, isolation and locking of electrical equipment. Partial
enclosure is wherethe hazard can be partially enclosed for example local exhaustventilation,
large interlocking concrete blocks between trafficand road workers on a motorway
Isolation and separation
The isolation of a process using potentially dangeroussubstancesorequipment may simply
mean relocating itto a controlled area, thereby separatingthe majority ofthe workforce
fromthe risk. In this case, it is necessary to have asystem for limitedaccess into the
controlled area for trained and competent operatorsonly.
Safe Person Controls
As well as providing your safe place controlsto prevent accidentsorto protect people from
hazards, there will always be a need for youto provide safe person controls, to ensure:
1)that the physical controls remain effective;
2)to raise awareness: and
3)to increase protection ofthe individual.
 s.:teg I

For example, even if a hazard has been eliminated, trainingand instructions will be
necessary to ensurethat a solvent-basedadhesiveis not purchased by someone in an
organisation who is ignorant ofthe decision to use only a water-basedalternative.
Safe person controls include the following, each ofwhich is discussed below:

1)protective devices:
2)safe systems of work; -
3)supervision and training; .-
4 provision ofinformation and instructions:
-

5)housekeeping;and
6)personal hygiene and welfare provisions
Pkotective devices -; -
Devjceg bh often be provided to keep personsaway or-protect persons froma hazard.
Exhmpiesa'e -

1)apusht1ck, used to push material towards a dangerouspart of a machine;

2)ajig or holder, useto hold the workpeice while it is being machined;
3)electriciansinsulated handtools;
4)arubber hand guard fitted to a chisel;ora polishing stick, to avoid using a rag held in the
hind-to-çolish-a rotating workpiece.
Safèij7tem ofwork -
A safe system of work is a definition, usually in writing, ofthe correct methods, plant,
equipment, process, -etc to followfor a certain task. It is necessary to emphasise that this
control measurerequiresyou to introduce high standardsofsupervision and control where
there may be a high degree of foreseeablerisk, this will include a defined discipline
procedure for those employeeswho disregard or modify your systemofwork.
-
Safesystemsofwork are defined in documents suchas:
-

1) Purchasingpolicy;
2) Health and safety policy arrangementssection (arrangementsforthe effective planning,
organising,control, monitoring and review ofthe employer's protective and preventative
measures);
3) standard company operating proceduresand safe workingpractices;
4) healthand safety plan for a construction project(in accordance with the Construction (Design
& Management) Regulations 1994);
5) contractorssafety method statements;
6) permitto worksystems. such for entryinto confined spaces.
The detail included within your documentation will relate directly tothe level of risk. The
higher the risk and the more difficultit is to provide effective physical or mechanicalcontrols,
the more detail will be needed to ensure that all aspectsare covered. Other safe person
controlsfor these activities,such as trainingand supervision, will also be required to a high
level.
The following examples of high riskactivities will usually require the production ofa
detailed, written safe system of work:
1) demolition;
2) asbestos insulation removal;
3) work on live electricity or electrical equipment;
4) maintenanceoperations;
5) work in confined space; and
6) working at heights
Supervision and Training
The level of supervisionyou are required to provide will depend on the level of risk and
the competenceofthe employees involved. When analysingthe risk you should determine
how oftenyour managers/supervisors actually verify control measures. Ifthe employees
involved are young, unskilled ortrainees then you should also take this into accountwhen
If
deciding-whetheryour existing degreeofsupervision is appropriate. your level of
supervision too low, then you are increasingthe likelihood of harm.
You must ensurethat all of your employeesare capableofcarrying out the tasks you
entrust to them. Trainingis an important way of achievingcompetenceand will be required
at all levels. Under present legislationtrainingmust be carried out when:
flan employee is first recruited; and
2)whenthere are new or increasedrisks as a esuItof
a)transfer or new responsibilities
b)new or changedwork equipment
c) new technology
d)new orchanged systems of work
-
Historically,training has been viewed as an attendanceissue. Simply by attending the
trainingcourse,employees were assumed to have acquired the necessary knowledge, but in
reality this may not bethe case, trainingshould informyour employees of all the risks to
which they may be exposed, provide instruction so employees knowwhatthey are doing -
and how they should be doingit and should be linked with effective supervisionto ensure
thatthe lessons learned are put into practice.
Provision ofinformation and instructions
Information about risks and control measures must be supplied to employees,and to
at
others in certatr case(The Managementof Health and Safety Work Regulations
1992) This is an important requirement for you totake into account. Are your employees
awareofthe control measures and howto use them? Dothey knowthe safe systems of
work? Ifthe answerto these basic questionsis negative then the likelihood ofthe control
measures not being used is increased.

Instructions,written or verbal, may be issued to personnel on whatthey must or must not

do to deal with a specific hazard. Employees are undera duty to comply with instructions
(regulation 12 ofThe Managementof Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992).
Instructions are issued on a day-to-day basis byyour managers and supervisorsfor all
aspects ofyour work, not just health and safety. In general,the detailed methods ofdealing
with a health and safety issue will be covered bytraining, but ofteninstructions will be
needed for certain one-off tasks, for example instructing someoneto tie a ladder before
working on it.
Housekeeping
Maintaining high levels of housekeepingcan be an important control measurein the
prevention of accidentsand occupational diseases. You should place an emphasis on
keepingthe workplace and working area clear, to prevent slip and trip hazards, keep the
equipment in good order,and provide appropriate welfare forthe work being carried out.
 I
Personal Hygieneand Welfare Provisions
In certain situations, you may be required to supply and enforce a high level ofpersonal
hygiene, with a viewof prevèrting, contamination of employees by hazardous substances
etc., either by ingestion, inhalation or absorption.
Personal hygienecontrol measures include:
1) decontamination procedures,particularly before eating, drinking, smoking or leaving the
premises;
2)prohibition on eating drink and smoking where hand-to-mouth contamination is a risk;use
of barrier creamsand other forms ofskin protection;
3) prohibition on employees on wearing contaminated clothing away fromthe working area;
4)trainingand induction on a regular basis on the principles of personal hygiene.
Provisionand maintenance of welfare or your employees is an importantsupport systemto
enable tle implementation of personal hygiene policies. Under the Workplace (Health,
Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992 &The Construction (Health, Safety &Welfare)
Regulations 1996 you must supply where appropriate, suitable and sufficient welfare
facilities including, but not limited to:
1) snitaiyTonveniences;
2) washirg faTtilities;
3) drinking water;accommodation for workand personal clothing;
4) facilities for changing, for rest and the takingof meals.
You may find that under certain high risk situations, suchasworkingon contaminated sites
or in live sewers,your standard welfare facilities will not meetpersonal hygiene requirements
and a standard of provision in excess ofthe minimum legal requirement will be required.
Safe PPE Control
The provision and use of PPE, such as eye protection, ear protection. safety boots and
shoes, should be seen as the last resort. A sole reliance on PPE as a meansof protecting your
employeesfrom risks is a highly dangerousstrategy. It relies heavily on your employees who
are exposed, usingor wearing the PPE all ofthe time they are atrisk. However in realitywe
are all aware that employees simply do not, will not, or cannot wear PPE for long periods
of time. You must therefore acknowledge that it requires a high degree of supervision to
ensurethat all your employees use or wear the PPE all the time they are exposed to the risk.
All PPE you issueto your employees should be subject to a risk assessment in compliance
with the Personal ProtectiveEquipmentat Work Regulations 1992 in orderto assessthe
suitabilityof the PPE priorto use.
Work throughthe control measure sequenceand askyourselfthe following
questions
CAN I ELIMINATETHERISKS COMPLETELY?
When dealingwith the risks associated with our examplewe need to know
whether we can complete the work without utilising scaffold, therefore
eliminating the risks associatedwith working at heights.
An example of eliminatingthe use ofscaffoldcan be seen inthe use of cherrypickers to
complete workto structuralsteel,rooftrusses and windows. However, the use ofsuch
equipment will have its own hazards and risksthat must be considered and assessed.
So where we can answerYES IT IS REASONABLYPRACTICABLE TO ELIMINATE
ALL THE RISKSyou can record your findings and the assessmentis completed
HOWEVERI
Where ouranswer is NO WE CANNOT ELIMINATEALL THE RISKSwe must
implement controlmeasuresto minimise the hazards and reduce the risks. We
need to work ourway throughthesafeplace, safe person and safePPE
strategiesand develop controls that are realistic, easily adopted and relevantto
thepeople at risk.
For example when using scaffolding, ourcontmls may include:

Only trained competentoperativeswill erect, modify ordismantlescaffolding

structures.

For structures over 5m in height, CITB certificationoferectors will be required and

' checked.

Erection will be to BS 5973 : 1993.

'
"
Hand-overcertificationto be obtained priorto use.
Ladders to be secured and used only foraccess and egress

Guardrails. toeboardsand ties must not be removed, other than by trained

l competentoperatives.
Unused ladder gaps will have guardrailsand toeboardsfitted.

'
rs Trafficmovementswill be restrictedamund scaffold bases.
Excavations adjacentto scaffold bases should be avoided, wherethis is impracticable

''
the excavations will be monitoredto ensure the stability ofthe structure is not
affected.

Advisorysignage to be provided and displayed.

' All scaffoldingwill be inspected on handoverto or from other contractors.

Afteralteration or adverse weather conditionsscaffolds must be inspected
> Structures over 2m in heightmust be inspected beforefirsttime use, and every seven
daysthereafter, and the results must be recorded
STEP 6: RECORD THE FINDINGS
Employerswith five ormortemployees must record the significant findings of their
assessment as an aid to controlling hazardsand risks. Employers must pass on information to
their employees about significant risks and the stepsthey have taken to control them, even
where they employ less than five people.
Along with this booklet CIP Publicationspublish blank risk assessments for your use.

WAHOO4
RISK ASSESSMENT RECORD ReferenceNut

rACTWTYSSED SCAFFOLDING
-

I
LLOWlU5K t -torrnrtr t4T
SfGNII?ICANT 11151(5 . H —M — L I WHOMAYBEHARMED
I uf
Fulls persons EMPLOYEES JR

SUBCONTRACTORS JR
S Collapseofstructure JR
4 OFFICIALVJSITORS
.. GENERALFUBLIC JR

U
5 U
.
9 0
is
CONTROLMEASURES
I Unlytrained competent operatives willerect, modi&ordismantle scaffolding structures.
2 For stnsataros averSminheight,CtTBneetifleotionoferectors willhe required andoheohed.
3 Rreatioo willhaloConstrssrtian (Health, safety andWelfare) Ragolatians 1996.
4 Where edgeprotection isaolpracticable identi&alternative meaasoffallprevention /fallarrest
5 Hand-over certification tobe ohtained priortonsa.
6 Onnrdrails, tonboordsandticsmostaolberemoved, otherthanbythe scaffolding contractor.
7 Unusedladder gapswillhave gusrdroilo andtoeboords fitted.
Polleartosare,debrisgaards, nnningand fauswill be considered forhigh-rise scaffolds andthoseclose to
puhlloareas.
9 Truffle movements willbe restricted aroond scaffoldbases.
to excavationsadjoneot toscaffoldbasesshonld be avoided, whereIbis in impmuticablnthe excavations wilt
be monitored tounsure thestabilityofthe structure is notaffected.
It Advisory signoge tobe provided auddisplayed.
12 Weather conditions willbe mooltored whenworking at hnigheandoperations will be rortoiled whenthe
stabilityofsayaccess equipment is underquestion.
13 Afteralteration oradverseweolbercondilions scaffolds mostbe inspected.
14 Sroffotdiog over2minheightmustho inspected beforefirsttimeuse,andeverysevendaysIhereaftor, and
the resole mostbe rerordnd
15 Whorescaffold is at risk from trespassers, acornslodders shoold be removed or alternative serority
memorns introdured

INFORMATION, INSTRUCTION AND TRAINING

I Persons nreetiog scaffold must be odequalely trained and competent In do so. This will normally ho
of
reflifind bythu prsdoetion aSroffotdrrCertificateissuedbythe CITe.
2 Pernoon using seoffoldiog most be given instructions as to she correct routes of acorns, use and
maintenance procedures.

PERSONALFROTECTtYEEQUIPMENT
5AFuTYIInt.Morr JR tanisntsntsuuos U RE5PInAT0IeYPnoTncrIoNt
sAFnn BOOT5 JR U U
ctocctLus/vlson U U U
OVERALLS U U U
GLOVES U U REMEMBER PPE IS
EARPLUGS U U ALWAYSA LAST RESORT

COMPLeTED RY
II 5IGNATUItE II DATE
STEP 7: REVIEWAND REVISE
Regulation 3(3) ofthe Managementof Health and Safety at Work-Regulations 1992
requires that you review your risk assessments where "thereis r,easn to suspectthat it is no
longer valid: or there has been a significant changein the matters to which it relates". You
should also remember,that the implementation of any control measures will not,themselves
ensureadequate control unless their effectivenessis revieved.

You can use your accident records, accident investigations,inspectionsand audits to"

identi1iareas whereyour risk assessment id

control measuresare lacking. In additiontc a
I
review prompted by, for example, an accidentoç by an inspection auditreport, your
1:1
review process should be built into risk assessment asa regular event. Every risk assessment
should have a date for review, whichshould e bsd n the level of risk. High risk activitids

---
will obviously need more frequent review thbn_activitiesthat are assessed as low-risk. The
objective to be achievedis continded satisfactory operation ofthe control measures:
Your review should look atthe whole ofthe tisssenfprocess as each step ofthe
process may need a re-evaluation, as indicated below

L Identify tasks — Monitoring may indicate thatthere are activities not originally considered
that now needto be assessed. Or alternatively the method ofwork, plant and equipment
and substances used may have changed which could affect the hazards and risks ofthe
original assessment.

2. Identify hazards— Hazardsmay not have been identified originally, or they may have
been created by the control measures you introduced, for example: a fork-lifttruck
introduced to eliminate manual handling is itself a hazard, or "sleeping policemen" installed
to reduce speed may cause loadsto become unstable,
3. Identify personsat risk — New employeesmay have become involved in the task. Or
alternatively,an inspection, accidentor near miss may highlight that a class ofperson not
identified in the original assessment, suchas contractorsor pregnant employees.may now
be at risk.

4. Risk analysis —The assessment ofthe likelihood and severity of harm may have been
affected by a number of factors:
1) it was not accuratewhen carried out: or
2) circumstances have changed since e.g. introduction of new technology or equipment.
improved training, etc
 Accident information may show that the assessment oflikelihood basedon the measures-
provided may have been toooptimistic,particularly ifthe measuresrelied on personal
protective equipment only. Inspections may indicate thatthis hazard is faced by more
people or for longer periods than was originally assessed.

5.ControI meaure—Accidents or inspectionsmay derOonstrate that control measures are

rdt working or not being used. This will affet the risk assessment and should result in a

rçview.

6Reieac1 revise —The methods of monitoring perforiance may need reviewing if

acciderts orincidents are still takingplace More frequent inspections tests or audits may
b required, or perhapsbettertraining, or more detailed checklists.

— You should also regularly monitorexternal published material

7:Externidocumentation
(such,asrnew-legislation,ACOPs, Health and Safety Executiveguidance, BSI standards,trade
associatioriguidanceand manufacturersand suppliers information). This then verifies that
ourassessments arestill suitable and ensures that newtechniques, plant and equipment,
information on substances, etc. are taken into account when reviewing assessments.
Page blank
in original
 STEP 1: IDENTIFYTASKS
STEP 2: DETERMINE THE HAZARDS
I I
WORK PROCESSES ENVIRONMENT
Consider the work, how will it be Consider the environmentin which
done. Break it down into individual the work is being can'ied oat, is it
processes and determinethose very hot, humid, cold, at height, in a
aspects that could cause an accident confinedspace. are you workingirs
or dangerous occurrence an occapied building, or in and
around other contractors,
/ ACTIVITIES
MATERIALS
Consider the existingmaterials and
the materials utilised in the work
process. Identify those that are
hazardous eg. carcinogenic, toxic,
corrosive, flammable,a biological
agent, hot or cold, heavy. etc
I
EQUIPMENT
Consider the eqaipmentbeing used
directlyfor the work and those items
shut are in the surrounding area for
other activities or used by third
parties. Identifythe hazards associated
with their use and close proximity

I I I —
STEP 2: WHO MIGHT BE HARMED
I

I
'U EMPLOYEES CONTRACTORS GENERAL PUBLIC SPECIAL GROUPS
Consider which employees are likely Consider other contractors working Consider members of the public who Consider and identifygroups who
0
Iu to be harmed by the identified near or with you, eithera principal maybe in the urea of yoarsite. For might be particularlyat risk, for
hazards, Include direct labour (the contractororsabcontractoc Identify example, workingin an occupied example, youngperson, children,
bricklayer, the ground workecthe the hazards the work may cause for premises. workingon or close to pregnantemployees. peoplewith
joiner, etc carryingout the work others and those areas where existing traffic and pedestrian mutes. disabilities orwith lunguage
activity) and also the indirect labour conflictsmay increase the initial visitors to your situ, and emissions difficulties(English not their first
(cleuoers, engineers, management, hazards, from yoar site, etc. language)
maintenance)

I I

STEP 3: ASSESS SIGNIFIGANT RISKS

Ask yourself is somebody likely to be harmed? Where there is a risk of harm consider
 L iii LLSTEP4:CqNI$IDER&IMPLEMENCONTROLS I

ELIMINATE THE RISK CONTROLTHE RISK

It Is aiwa s best, ifpossible to avoid the risk altogetherTherefore If the ritk cannot be eliminated, you mustimplementcontrol measures. It is therefore, essential
you shoud ask yourselfthe followingquestions. Can hazard
te to do us much as is reasonably practicable to prevent accidents and Ill healthby makingthe
be removed completely? Can the job be done in anotherway or workplace, plant and equipment,materials and procedures safe. This can be done by phytical
by different,less hazardous, material? Can we make or mechanical means of hazard control, known as safe place controls, by providingtraining,
udna
design c anges / Improvements? instmctionand safe proceduren. knownas safe personcontrols and by the issue and wearingof
'U personal protectiveequipment. safe PPE controls. When yea are considering controlmeasures
safe place controls are (generally) more effective than safe person controls and safe person
YES controls are (generally) more effective than safe PPE controls. It is usually best to Implement
'I, controls fromall categories to reduce risk us fur as possible.
-o i.u
> ____________
CHANGE THE JOB OR PROCESS AND SAFE PLACE SAFE PERSON SAFE PPE
I.- ELIMINATE THE RISK risk redaction prdtectivedevices safety boots
engineering! design safe systems of work safety helmets
z0 control of exposure supervision gloves
training eye protection
information! lnstmciion overalls
them an remaining hazards frisks that vend furthercontrols? ______________ housekeeping harnesses
Have any ofiour controls introduced additional hazards? welfare gas detectors
[HAre

NO

- . RECORD
STEP 4: THE FINDINGS :11
If you have more that five employeesyou must record the significantfindings of your assessment as an aid to controlling the hazards and the
o risks. You should also ensure that the information recordedon the risk assessment ts passed on to your employees. Risk assessments should be
made available to your employeesso that you and they can ensure that all the necessary controlshave been implemented. If you have less
a,
-1
'U than five employeesyou do not have to record your risk assessment but you are obliged to inform your employeesof the risks and the steps to
be taken to control them.

- STEP 5: REVIEW & REVISE

You must regularly review and where necessary revise your risk assessmentsto take into account, process, environmental,material and
equipment changes. Risk Assessments should also be reviewed following an accidentor dangerousoccurrence to ensure that the control
measures are revised to prevent such an incident reoccurring.
Page blank
in original
Section 5
Where can I get
further?information?

> SITE SET UP

> WORKINGAT HEIGHTS

> LIFTING

> MATERIALS

MECHANICALPLANT & EQUIPMENT

> PORTABLE TOOLS

> CONSTRUCTIONACTIVITIES
 Where can I get further
J1it9rmati9
We have incorporatedinto this series a publication ofsampleassessments,additional blank risk
assessmentsare available in duplicate bookfomifrom CIP to enableyouto produceyour own.

MATOO4 DISPOSAL:WASTE MATERIALS

SSPOO1 CONTROL OF DUST MATOO5 HIGHLY FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS

SSPOO2 FIRE ON SITE MATOO6 LEAD/LEAD COMPOUNDS

SSPOO3 INSTALLATION AND USE MATOO7 LPG

TEMPORARY ELECTRICAL
MATOO8 MATERIALSTORAGE

SSPOO4 OFFICES, WELFARE &STORAGE MATOO9 NON ASBESTOS INSULATING

SSPOO5 OVERHEAD POWERLINES

MECHANICALPLANT & EQUIPMENT—,
SSPOO6 ROAD TRANSPORTON SITE
MPEOO1 EXCAVATORS
SSPOO7 UNDERGROUNDSERVICES
MPEOO2 FORK LIFTTRUCKS
SSPOO8 WORKIN AND AROUND
OCCUPIEDPREMISES MPEOO3 GOODSHOISTS

WORKING MPEOO4 MOBILE CRANES

& STEP LADDERS MPEOO5 PILINGMACHINERY

WAHOO1 LADDERS
WAHOO2 MOBILE ELEVATED WORKING MPEOO6 ROAD SURFACINGPLANT
PLATFORMS MPEOO7 SMALL DUMPERS
WAHOO3 MOBILE SCAFFOLDTOWERS

WAHOO4 SCAFFOLDING

WAHOO5 TRESTLES

WAHOO6 WORKING AT HEIGHTS

LIFTING
LFTOO1 EXCAVATORS USED FOR LIFTING

LFTOO2 SLINGING OF LOADS

LFTOO3 USE OF LIFTING EQUIPMENT

MATERIALS
MATOO1 ASBESTOS CONTAINING
MATERIAL
MATOO2 DISPOSAL:FLUORESCENT
LUMINARIES

MATOO3 DISPOSAL:SKIPS
 CONOO9 LAYING FLAGS& KERBS

POROO1 ARC WELDING EQUIPMENT CONO1 0 LAYING PIPES & DUCTS

POROO2 BITUMENBOILERS C0N012 MANHOLECONSTRUCTION:

BRICKWORK
POROO3 CARTRIDGE OPERATED FIXING
TOOLS CONO13 MANHOLECONSTRUCTION:
PCC UNITS
POROO4 CHAINSAWS
CONO14 MINOR DEMOLITION
POROO5 COMPRESSORS & PNEUMATIC
POWERTOOLS CONOL5 PIPE SOLDERING

POROO6 DISC CUTTERS/ABRASIVE CONO1 6 PRESSURE TESTING

WHEELS
CONO17 RENDERING
POROO7 HANDTOOLS
CONO18 REPLACING WINDOWS
POROO8 HIGH PRESSURE WATER/STEAM
CONOI9 SETTING OUTTRAFFIC
CLEANERS
MANAGEMENT
POROO9 LASER LEVELLINGEQUIPMENT
CONO2OWALLTIE INSTALLATION
PORO1O PORTABLE ELECTRONIC
CONO21 WORKIN CONFINEDSPACES
EQUIPMENT
CONO22 WORKON EQUIPMENT
PORO1 1 PORTABLE PIPE THREADING
CONTAINING PCB
MACHINES
C0N023 WORKON FRAGILEROOFS
PORO12 PORTABLEWOODWORKING
MACHINES CONO24 WORKON LIVESEWAGE
CONNECTIONS
CONSTRUCTION
C0N025 WORKON OR NEAR WATER
CONOO1 BREAKINGINTOAN EXISTING
MANHOLE CONO26 WORKON ROOFS

CONOO2 BRICKWORK! BLOCKWORK/ CONO27 WORKING ALONE

STONE WORK
CONO28 WORKING IN AND WITH
CONOO3 CHASING EXCAVATIONS

CONOO4 CONCRETING

/
CONOO5 ERECTION USE FALSEWORK

CONOO6 GLAZING

CONOO7 INSTALLATION OF
UNDERGROUND TANKS

CONOO8 JOINTINGPIPEWORK—
SPIGOT/SOCKET
SecretaryofState for Employment
Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992
(HMSO 1992)

Health and Safety Commission

A Guideto Managing Health and Safety in Construction
(HSE BOOKS, 1 995)

Health and--Safety Commission

Management of Health and Safety at Work; Approved
Code of Practice; Management of Health and Safety at
Work Regulations 1992
(HMSO, 1 992)

Health and Safety Commission

Five Steps to Risk Assessment
(HSE BOOKS, 1994)

Health and Safety Commission

Successful Health and Safety Management
(HMSO, 1991)

N.B. All of the abovepublications are available by contacting:

CII'. Ltd. 60 New Coventry Road, Sheldon, BirminghamB26 3AY
Tel: 0121 722 8200 Fax: 0121 722 8201
email: chevim@construct-confed.co.uk
http://www.cip-books.com
Construction Industry Publications Limited
60 New Coventry Road, Shedori, Birmingham B26 3Y
Tel: 0121 7228200 Fax: 0121 7228201
email: chevim@constructc()flfecLcou
wwwcp-hooks.com
ISBN 1 85263 961 9