Module 2 - Assessing Risk

Module 2 – Key learning points

2.1- What is risk?

2.2- What is a risk assessment?

2.3- How are risk assessments done?

2.1 What is risk?

A definition of risk is:

Risk is the combination of the likelihood of a hazardous event occurring and the consequence of the event

When thinking about risk, we need to understand the basic terms which apply to risk.

Hazard: A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm or damage. This might be a sharp edge on a piece of furniture or a crushing hazard from a falling load. In Module 5, we will explore a range of common hazards and how to spot them.

Hazardous event: A hazardous event is when someone or something interacts with the hazard and harm results. So you can think of hazards as being inherent within a workplace. They can sit there not causing any damage or harm. It is only when a person or persons come along and interacts with them that you get harm or damage.

Risk: Risk is a combination of the likelihood of a hazardous event occurring combined with the consequences, or the severity, of the harm or damage. Severity and consequences can be used interchangeably.

What is meant by the term’s ‘likelihood’ and ‘consequence’?

Likelihood - is the probability or chance that something will occur.

Consequence - is a result or effect of a particular action or situation, often one that is bad or not convenient.

2.2 What is a risk assessment?

Risk assessment is:

A careful examination of anything in the workplace that might cause injury or harm. The process helps assess if there is a significant risk, and if there is, what safeguards are required.

It’s a systematic method of looking at work activities, considering what could go wrong, and deciding on suitable control measures to prevent accidents, ill health, loss, damage, or injury occurring in the workplace. It should include the controls necessary to eliminate, reduce or minimise the risks.

The idea is that it should lead to practical improvements in the workplace. It should not be a bureaucratic form filling exercise with no observable outcome. Legislation and Approved Codes of Practice do not lay down a single prescribed way of undertaking risk assessments.

Risk assessments are required in law and are the cornerstone of any health and safety management system. Taking a preventative approach to health and safety at work is a legal requirement and is central to all health and safety legislation.

Risk assessment tells you whether you are doing enough to protect your workforce and others from harm and enables you to demonstrate good business practice and improve business performance. Therefore, as a manager, it is essential you have a good understanding of how to undertake a risk assessment.

The benefits of carrying out a risk assessment include: o Recognising and controlling hazards in your workplace o Create awareness amongst your employees o Use it as a training tool o Set risk management standards, based on: o Acceptable safe practices o Legal requirements o Reduce incidents in the workplace o Save costs by being proactive instead of reactive

And so, it is clear to see just how important the risk assessment process is. In this programme, we will introduce a widely recognised five step approach to risk assessment.

2.3 How are risks assessments done?

UK law states that a risk assessment must be 'suitable and sufficient' and demonstrate that:

• a proper check was made

• you asked who might be affected

• you dealt with all the obvious significant risks, considering the number of people who could be involved

• the precautions are reasonable, and the remaining risk is low

• you involved your workers or their representatives in the process

Therefore, it is important that you take a systematic approach when carrying out risk assessments, such as the HSE’s 5 steps to risk assessment.

1. Identify the hazards

2. Estimate the risk (who might be harmed and how)

3. Evaluate the risk (likelihood and consequence of harm)

4. Record your findings (including control measures to reduce risk to as low a reasonably practicable)

5. Review your findings

Let’s look at each of the 5 steps below in more detail

Step 1: Identify the Hazards

Identifying and locating any potential hazards is the first step when carrying out a risk assessment. Several different types of hazards should be considered.

Physical risks include tripping or falling in the workplace, sustaining injuries when lifting heavy materials or working with dangerous machinery.

There are also biological and chemical hazards to consider, such as asbestos, chemical cleaning products and infectious diseases.

Risk assessments shouldn’t overlook psychosocial hazards that can affect individuals’ mental health and wellbeing, for example, stress, victimisation, and excess workload.

Every workplace is different, so the types of hazards you identify will depend on your industry and the specific site.

You may be able to spot some physical hazards by simply walking around the workplace and taking note of anything that could cause harm.

But to identify the not-so-obvious risks, you could look back over your records of accidents and ill-health to see if there are any patterns.

You can also look through instruction manuals from products and equipment used in the workplace ` these can indicate any risks involved in working with these items.

Step 2: Estimate the risk

Once you’ve identified the hazards, you should consider why these hazards are harmful what type of injuries or ill-health can they cause? Hazards may pose a single threat, or they may be harmful in more than one way.

As well as detailing exactly how hazards can be harmful, risk assessments should identify who is at risk. This may be all those working on-site, groups of workers, visitors, or passers-by. Understanding who could be at risk will help individuals and organisations keep people safe.

Step 3: Evaluate the risks

This stage is about evaluating the likelihood and severity of risks and then put in place precautions and control measures.

While you’re not expected to eliminate risk, as often this isn’t possible, you should act proportionate to the level of risk. This means risks that pose a bigger threat should receive more extensive control measures than low-risk hazards. Using a risk assessment matrix like the one below helps organisations to evaluate risks and prioritize resources and actions accordingly.

The actions taken during this stage could include trialling less risky equipment or products, restricting access to hazardous areas, offering effective health and safety training, and issuing protective equipment to employees and contractors.

Step 4: Record Your Findings

Recording the findings of your risk assessment means you can use and review the assessment in the future. For employers with five or more staff, it’s also a legal requirement to document the findings of risk assessments and the action taken to reduce the level of risk.

A written risk assessment provides proof that hazards were evaluated, and appropriate action taken to reduce risk. This proof can protect your business from legal liability and may be useful when it comes to raising awareness amongst contractors and employees about the potential risks of a worksite.

Step 5: Review the Risk Assessment

Work environments are constantly changing new people come and go, equipment and products are swapped, and trialled, and new materials are introduced. And the more a workplace changes, the less relevant the risk assessment becomes.

So to make sure risk assessments are up to date and inclusive of all potential hazards, they need to be reviewed and potentially updated every time there are significant changes in the workplace.