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OnSafeLines Free Advice on Conducting Risk Assessments and their Management to Help You Manage Health and Safety Responsibilities
Risk assessments need to be carried out by a competent person, refer to Reg 7(1) MH&SW 1999), however not every business has someone with the knowledge, training, ability or even time to address this important subject methodically and thoroughly. The next question would probably be "do I need a consultant"? If the process being risk assessed represents a low risk and is not complex, then in the majority of cases the answer would be no, however, help maybe required where the process is more hazardous or complex and the competency of staff within the company to undertake a suitable and sufficient assessment simple does not exist. Competence to carry out a risk assessment is a subjective issue, the example quoted on the HSE website is "Just use your common sense: you don't need an electrician to re-wire a plug, but most people would need one to re-wire their house. It's the same with risk assessments." However, to help your decision there is much free advice available for those wishing to manage their own health and safety management systems, you will find many useful links and guides throughout 'OnSafeLines' website. Those wishing further advice on the services we provide please feel free to enquire.
It should be remembered that the aim of conducting risk assessments is not to produce well designed, well written, clear and legible assessments if all they do is sit in a filing cabinet only to be produced at such times as accident investigations an audits. Risk assessments need to be understood by all those involved in the activity and process. Risk assessments are not just a paperwork exercise, they are a proactive means of managing safety. It should be noted that where it is considered that the risk of harm is insignificant, there is not a requirement to carry out a documented risk assessment.
However, it is still good practice to have a task inventory that lists all activities, even those where the risk is considered to low to warrant further and more detailed assessing.
Apart from the Management of Health and Safety Regs the following are samples of UK legislation specifically make reference to or imply there is a requirement for undertaking risk assessments;
- Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regs 2002
- Manual Handling Regs 1992
- Control of Asbestos Regs 2006
- Health & Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
- Control of Lead at Work 2002
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work Regulations 1992
- Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
- The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005
- Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981
- Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)
- Work at Height Regulations 2005
- Workplace Health Safety and Welfare Regulations 1992
- Lifting Operations Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.
- Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR).
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Risk Assessment - Competent Person
