During 2004/05, 220 people were killed and over 150,000 were injured at work because of a failure to manage risk.
Source: HSE
In view of these worrying statistics, Safety Media have developed a NEW Interactive DVD. 5 Steps - Risk Assessment in your Workplace is an innovative solution to risk assessment training.
This DVD will show the viewer how risk assessments don't need be daunting and time-consuming tasks. An emphasis is placed on how they can easily become second nature during a working day.
What is a risk assessment?
What is a hazard?
How to conduct a risk assessment - a detailed look at the 5 steps involved.
With retention in mind, Safety Media have developed interactive content as part of this DVD. Questions are posed throughout 5 Steps - Risk Assessment in your Workplace, ensuring that the viewer fully understands the subject matter. This also gives the trainer an opportunity to discuss the content.
This DVD will raise awareness within your organisation that everyone is responsible for their own risk assessment.
Ideal for every member of the workforce from managers to employees
Video on Demand Terms & Conditions
Risk assessments solved in 5 steps
The importance of businesses carrying out risk assessments cannot be underestimated. Figures from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reveal that 220 people were killed and more than 150,000 injured in accidents which could have been avoided if the risks were properly managed.
Performing a risk assessment is more than a simple bureaucratic exercise, the organisation claims, and help to ensure that employees and members of the public are not subjected to harm, suggesting the importance of resources such as Risk Assessment Booklets and the Health & Safety at Work Poster.
Business Link's website explains: "A risk assessment is an important tool in protecting your workers and your business. It helps you focus on those risks that have the potential to cause harm."
In order to ensure companies carry out an effective risk assessment, which is a legal requirement for companies with more than five employees, the HSE recommends five steps are carried out, all of which are covered in detail in the 5 Steps - Risk Assessment DVD.
The first vital step is for employers to identify any hazards that may be present in the workplace, a process which can be aided by the use of Risk Assessment Forms.
According to the HSE, managers should start by touring the work environment in search of anything which could be expected to result in harm, while asking members of staff or their health and safety representatives may bring unnoticed things to their attention.
In addition, reviewing accident and ill-health records could result in possible risks being identified, as can checking instructions or data sheets for equipment and chemicals.
The second risk assessment step involves deciding who could be affected by the hazards and how. The HSE claims: "For each hazard you need to be clear about who might be harmed; it will help you identify the best way of managing the risk."
At this stage, employers must be careful to remember that some members of staff have special requirements, such as young workers, expectant mothers and people with disabilities, and could face dangers which are not applicable to others.
Furthermore, employees who are not present in the workplace on a full-time basis, for example, maintenance workers, cleaners and contractors, need to be considered, as do members of the public or other firms which share the workspace.
As detailed in the 5 Steps - Risk Assessment DVD, the third stage of the HSE's process requires the businesses to decide what to do about the hazards which have been identified. At this point, employers should attempt to work out ways to remove the risk entirely. If this is not possible, steps need to be implemented to minimise the chances of anyone being harmed.
Tips which the organisation suggests for lower risk include preventing access to any hazards through equipment such as guards, using a less dangerous alternation like switching chemicals and issuing workers with appropriate personal protective equipment.
Businesses should next look to record the results of their risk assessment and implement any recommendations drawn up. The HSE says: "Putting the results of your risk assessment into practice will make a difference when looking after people and your business. Writing down the results of your risk assessment, and sharing them with your staff, encourages you to do this."
The final stage which needs to be carried out is ensuring the assessment is reviewed and updated when needed. New equipment, procedures and materials could be introduced into the workplace which create risks not previously present.
"When you are running a business it's all too easy to forget about reviewing your risk assessment - until something has gone wrong and it’s too late," the HSE adds, recommending that companies set an annual date to review their risk assessment.
In addition, Business Link suggests that firms attempt to carry out as broad a risk assessment as they can, saying they can look beyond health and safety issues to consider environmental factors at the same time.
As we have seen, a risk assessment is an important health and safety step for employers to carry out. However, it need not be overly complicated - especially with tools such as Risk Assessment Booklets and Risk Assessment Forms.
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