Risk Assessment Plant Room / Boiler House

(Access and carrying out maintenance work – Staff & Contractors)

HAZARD PERSON (S) EXISTING CONTROL MEASURES

AFFECTED
Environment Staff Ensure a visual inspection is carried out of the work area prior to commencing work. If work involves
Contractors disturbing materials that look suspicious these should be reported to supervisor, where a sample test
will be taken. Asbestos register is kept and should be consulted for information
Ensure adequate ventilation is available. Ensure adequate maintenance.
Electricity Staff Ensure plant is isolated as required. Low voltage or battery tools and equipment to be used.
Contractors Ensure all extensions of wiring or socket outlets should be carried out by a competent person
Ensure fixed wiring is tested and carried out (5 years) by a competent person / records kept on site
Ensure appropriate Personal Protective Equipment has been provided and worn
Ensure safe system of is available before commencing any hot work. Ensure this is adhered to by
all staff. For further information please see risk assessment for ‘Use of electrical equipment / hand &
power tools’ and protocol for ‘Electrical safety’
Chemicals Staff Ensure a COSHH assessment has been carried out on hazardous materials and material safety data
Contractors sheet should be available
Ensure appropriate Personal Protective Equipment has been provided and worn
For further information please see protocol for ‘Working with Hazardous Substances’
Slips and trips Staff Ensure there is adequate lighting and that there are no apparent dangers in the plant room prior to
Contractors commencing work
Ensure all safety guards are in place and intact. Where possible head hazards should be removed,
padded or marked with prominent identification tape
Ensure good housekeeping is achieved. Safe floors, stairs and walkways with clear access
maintained at all times
For further information please see risk assessment and protocol for ‘Slips and Trips’
Manual Staff Ensure manual handling assessment are carried out where tasks present significant risks
handling Contractors Manual handling minimised as far as possible when moving equipment - two person job
Ensure staff are made aware of correct lifting techniques to reduce risk of injury
Ensure appropriate footwear worn
Good housekeeping and workplace layout
For further information please see protocol for ‘Manual Handling’
Hot surfaces / Staff Ensure all hot surfaces should be appropriately lagged
work Contractors Ensure a safe system of work / permit work is available before commencing any hot work. Ensure
hot work permit is adhered to by all staff
Gas Staff Ensure all equipment is suitable for its intended purpose and that it is installed correctly by a Gas
Contractors Safe registered contractor
Gas safety checks to be completed annually and a copy held on site
No repairs/alterations should be carried out unless by a Gas Safe registered person
Ensure protective devices are fitted which cause shut down
Fire Staff Ensure adequate fire extinguishing appliances and automatic detection is available in the plant room
Contractors Ensure staff are appropriate trained on the use of fire extinguishing appliances
Ensure that storage of materials that will readily catch fire should not be permitted in plant rooms or
spaces containing a fixed source of ignition, where this is not practicable a line should be delineated
approximately 1 metre from any source of ignition to prevent storage. All personnel (staff /
maintenance / contractors) should be made aware there should be nothing placed beyond the red
line
Ensure regular checks and cleaning should be carried out to prevent the accumulation of materials /
equipment
A line should be delineated approximately 1 metre from sources of ignition to prevent storage
Ensure everyone must be acquainted with the Fire evacuation procedures
Ensure fire exit doors and escape routes are unobstructed and doors are easy to open
For further information please see the protocol for ‘Fire Safety and Fire Evacuation’
Working at Staff Ensure an assessment has been undertaken to assess the need to work at height
height Contractors Ensure equipment is suitable for purpose, checked before use and maintained in good condition
Staff are trained in the use of ladders. Consideration of weather conditions for outside work
Ensure the floor surface is suitable for the task (firm and even surface)
Where necessary cone off area and post warning signs to alert persons below of danger man
working overhead
For further information please see protocol for ‘Working at height’
Lone Working Staff Lone working should be avoided. Care should be taken in deciding when certain tasks should be
Contractors undertaken in some cases defer the task until assistance is available
Ensure staff notify their supervisor prior to entry and when leaving plant room
Unauthorised Staff Ensure boiler house / plant room is kept locked at all times. Only nominated personnel allowed
Access Contractors access. Strict key control is ensured. Anyone wishing to access the boiler room should sign in and
Public out with reception / Care Taker to obtain keys. Ensure appropriate signage is in place

This is a model risk assessment – you must include further control measures where applicable

Date: Signed: Risk rating with all control measures in place Low/Medium/High