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What Is A Risk Assessment
What Is A Risk Assessment
As stated by the HSE, risk assessments are “not about creating huge
amounts of paperwork, but rather about identifying sensible measures to
control the risks in your workplace.” Their goal is to improve and monitor
the safety measures taken against hazards present in the workplace, in
turn eliminating them, or reducing the risk they pose where this is not
possible.
However, risk assessments are also compulsory by law, and are a step
employers must take to keep their employees safe. If an organisation
has 5 or more employees, it must also record the risk assessments in
writing. However, it is also beneficial for smaller organisations to record
their risk assessments, as doing so evidences that an organisation is
committed to keeping its employees safe. Additionally, it provides
employees with a point of reference if they want to refresh themselves
on safety practices, in turn helping your employees maintain high safety
standards.
When deciding where to carry out your risk assessment, it’s important to
keep in mind the IOSH Managing Safely Syllabus. It requires you to
identify 4 hazards in your risk assessment that fit into any of the
following categories:
Mechanical
Physical
Chemical
Environmental
Biological
Organisational
Provided you can identify 4 hazards from the above categories, you can
complete your risk assessment in a workplace of your choice.
How long do you have to complete your IOSH Managing Safely risk
assessment?
There is no time limit on the IOSH Managing Safely risk assessment, however
we recommend spending at least an hour on completing the risk assessment.
Keep in mind you should proofread and check your work after completing it,
ensuring you are happy with the quality of the risk assessment. When you
study the course via E-learning, you'll have a 14-day window in which to
submit your assessment to the examiner, providing you with plenty of time in
which to complete your risk assessment. When studying through any of our
other learning options, you'll complete the risk assessment during the standard
3-day course duration.
Once you’ve decided on the workplace where you’ll carry out the risk
assessment, it’s important to understand the risk assessment form you need to
fill in. As shown below, there are several sections you’ll need to cover for each
of the four risks.
To pass the assessment you must fill in all sections of the risk assessment form,
detailing the 4 hazards. Fill in the form with clear language so that your examiner
can easily understand your reasoning and suggestions- the easier you make this
for them, the easier they will find it to award you marks.
We’ll now move from left to right across the form, covering each section
so that you gain an understanding of how each part leads into the next.
Electric shocks can cause electric burns and interfere with the natural rhythm of
the heart.
Here you must detail what measures are already in place to prevent the risk
causing harm. This can include safety equipment such as goggles and headwear,
as well as training, regular inspections, and supervision.
Risk Rating:
When filling in this section you will need to refer to the 5x5 risk matrix, which can
be seen below.
Consequence:
Multiplying the values for both consequence and risk together provides
the risk rating. As shown on the matrix, this rating requires a specific
response based on the level of the risk:
1-2: No action needed, though ensure all measures are maintained and
reviewed.
3-6: Monitor, looking to improve current measures by the time of the next
review or if there is a significant change in the situation.
Additional Controls:
In this section you must explain what new measures you will implement
to reduce the risk of the identified hazard. When doing so, you use the
hierarchy of control, which outlines the different methods you can take to
reduce the risk a hazard poses:
Eliminate: This is the most effective way to reduce risk, as removing the
hazard eliminates any risk it could pose.