Risk Assessment

Training presentation

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 Key Objectives
• Understand what a Risk Assessment is and why we need them in
our workplace.

• To be able to recognise the different types of Risk Assessment

forms and when to use them.

• Understand the 5 steps to Risk Assessment

• Be able to score hazards objectively using the Risk Rating Matrix.

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3 What is a Risk Assessment?
What is a Risk Assessment and why do we need to do
it?
• A Risk Assessment is a examination of a task, job or process that
you carry out at work
• We do this to identify the significant hazards, the risk of someone
being harmed and to help us decide what further control measures
are needed to reduce the risk to an acceptable level
• We all do risk assessments everyday. For example, when crossing
the road!

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4 Risk Management Procedure
How to find the Procedure on IRIS

IRIS > Policies & Forms > Health & Safety Policies &
procedures > Health & Safety Procedures > Risk Management
Procedure

Do not use the search facility. Do not click on the words

themselves, use the + symbol next to it.

See the resources page at the end of this presentation for a

link to the ‘quick guide to finding Procedures’ document

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5 Risk Management Procedure
• What Risk Assessment Form should I use?
General leading to a Dynamic
Specific

• For one off events

• For all day to day where the Risk
activities, processes Assessment will not
and tasks. be needed again. i.e.
• For a topic that has a a firework display in
procedure. i.e. Lifting the garden
Equipment

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6 5 steps to Risk Assessment
Appendix 4 of the Risk Management Procedure

Step 1: Identify the hazards

Risks arise from exposure to hazards. A hazard is something with the potential to
cause harm. It can arise from the following: 

 Plant or equipment (e.g., tools or machinery, kitchen equipment, lifting equipment

etc.)

 Processes, (e.g., handling high risk foods)

 Products (e.g., chemicals or cleaning materials)

 Premises (workplaces and environments)

 People.

What are the hazards when using lifting equipment?

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7 5 Steps to Risk Assessment
Step 2: Decide who might be harmed and how
Who
How
• Staff
• This will depend on the type
• Individuals supported by of accident we are
Sense assessing.
• Contractors on site • For example - broken bones,
• Visitors cuts, grazes from a slip, trip
or fall.
• Family members

Who are how could be harmed by using lifting equipment?

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8 5 Steps to Risk Assessment
Step 3: Evaluate the Risk and Control Measures
Figure 1 – Hierarchy of Control Measures

Eliminate hazard at source Stop using the substance, process, piece of

1
Ideal   equipment or area that presents a hazard.
Solution
Substitute the hazard Find safer alternatives that fit the process, e.g.
2
use a different and safer piece of equipment.
Control the risk at source Use lower voltage electrical equipment; reduce
3
weight of items being lifted or carried; dilute a
concentrated chemical.
Isolation Operate machinery remotely, place a guard on
4
moving part of machine; restrict access to
hazardous areas of plant to trained, authorised
people.
Safe Systems of work Use of permits to work to control hazardous
5
activities; locking- off procedures; pre-planned
lifting operations.
Personal protective equipment Wearing ear defenders, goggles, gloves, hard
Last 6
hats. Always to be regarded as the last resort.
Resort

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9 5 steps to Risk Assessment
Step 3: Evaluating the Risk and Control Measures
Key tips when evaluating the risk and selecting control measures:
• Most Procedures on IRIS have a ‘Risk Factors and Control Measures’ table (usually
found as an Appendix). This has loads of example controls and risk factors that
could be used in your risk assessments.
• Ask or observe staff how they currently complete the task, activity or process – you
may find they have already implemented some very useful controls that have not
been documented.
• To keep your Risk Assessments shorter – cross refer to pre existing control
measures instead of re-writing them out, for example ‘see Bobs mobility guidelines,
page 19 of care plan’
• Develop Local Operating Procedures – a set of instructions that can help create a
consistent approach to an activity and reduce the risk of an accident occurring.
What controls can we put in place when using lifting equipment?

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10 5 Steps to Risk Assessment
Step 4: Record your findings and implement
Control Measures
The information to be recorded includes:
 details of the person carrying out the risk assessment;
 the date and time of the assessment;
 details of the location, people, equipment and activity being assessed;
 the hazards identified together with the risk level;
 existing control measures and how well they work;
 any further controls that may be needed and who will lead on what action;
 the date for review of the assessment.
Control measures that have been identified must be prioritised and
implemented as quickly as practicable.

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11 5 steps to risk assessment
Step 5: Review your findings
The risk assessment must be reviewed annually or when there have been any significant
changes.
Examples of significant changes or events may include the following:

• New or different working environments, methods, practices or procedures;

• New fixed or mobile plant, tools & equipment, materials or substances;
• Work areas or environments are identified that have not previously been assessed;
• Following an accident / incident investigation or site safety inspection (SSI);
• Prior to the employment of a young person or a child on authorised work experience;
• Following written notification of the pregnancy of a member of staff and prior to the return
to work of the new mother

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12 Risk Rating Matrix
Table 1 - Risk Rating Assessment
Likelihood of occurrence   Severity of Impact
May occur but only in  
1 – Highly 1- Minor injury / 1st Aid
exceptional
unlikely circumstances Insignificant treatment

  Medical treatment
2 - Unlikely Not likely to occur 2 - Minor
or < 7days off
Possibility of an  
RIDDOR
3 - Possible occurrence under some 3 - Moderate
circumstances reportable

Probably will occur  

Single death or
4 - Probable under most 4 - Major
circumstances multiple injuries

Will almost certainly  

5 – Almost
occur under most 5 - Extreme Multiple deaths
certain circumstances

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13
Risk Rating Matrix
LIKELIHOOD (of occurrence)

5 5 10 15 20 25
Green = Low risk
4 4 8 12 16 20

3 3 6 9 12 15 Yellow = Medium risk

2 2 4 6 8 10

Red = High risk

1 1 2 3 4 5

  1 2 3 4 5
SEVERITY
 

What score would you give using the risk rating matrix when
assessing the risk from using lifting equipment?

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14
Practice!
Try completing a Risk Assessment and discuss it with your line
Manager and/or colleagues.

Remember Risk Assessments don’t have to be complicated or long

winded. In fact the simpler and shorter they are, the more likely staff
are going to understand the risk factors and implement the control
measures that have been established.

If you are unsure about a Risk Assessment you have developed, send
it over to healthandsafety@sense.org.uk where a member of the H&S
team will be happy to provide some advice and feedback.

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15
Resources
• Quick Guide to Finding Procedures on IRIS
https://iris.sense.org.uk/Interact/Pages/Content/Document.aspx?id
=3894
• Risk Management Procedure and Appendices
https://iris.sense.org.uk/Interact/Pages/Section/SubFullOne.aspx?s
ubsection=1904

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