Risk Management

Risk Management

Definitions:

Hazard

Something with the potential to cause harm. 

h

 Risk

8The likelihood that the harm will be realised.

8

When assessing risks the potential severity of the consequences is also considered.

Laws requiring risk assessment

  Section 2(1) HASAWA 1974

 The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) 1999  

 The Control of Lead at Work Regulations 1998

 The Construction (Health Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1996

 The Display Screen Equipment (Health and Safety) Regulations 1992 

5 Steps to Risk Assessment

 Look for the Hazards

 Decide who might be harmed and in what circumstances

 Evaluate the risks, and the adequacy of existing controls

 Record the significant findings

 Review the assessment

Step 1 - Identify the hazards

A Hazard is something with the potential to cause harm

Physical

Chemical

Biological

Ergonomic

Psychological

Hazard Identification Techniques

Inspections

HAZOP

Job Safety Analysis

Hazard Books and Contact Schemes

Fault Tree Analysis

Step 2 - Decide who might be harmed & how?

 Consider groups who may be especially at risk

  the disabled, pregnant workers, children  and young workers

Step 3 - Evaluate the risks

 Consider the likelihood and severity

 Are existing controls adequate?

 Is there anything else that can be done to make it safer (SFAIRP)?

 Are legal standards met and best practice followed?

Risk assessment matrix

Hierarchy of Control

Eliminate

PPE

Reduce

Isolate

Control

Discipline

General Principles of Prevention

avoiding risks;  

evaluating the risks which cannot be avoided;  

combating the risks at source;  

adapting the work to the individual

adapting to technical progress;  

replacing the dangerous by the non-dangerous or less dangerous;  

developing a coherent prevention policy, relating to the working environment;  

giving collective protective measures priority over individual protective measures;   

giving appropriate instructions to employees. 

Step 4 - Record significant findings

 You must decide what the significant findings are, they may include;

the significant hazards

the existing control measures

identification of workers affected

reference to other guidance

Step 5 - Review the assessment

The assessment must be reviewed when:

You believe it is no longer valid

There has been a significant change in the matters to which it relates.

the workplace

new work rates

new process or plant

competency of individuals 

new legal requirements

A safe system of work

“A safe system of work is a formal procedure which results from a systematic examination of the task in order to identify all the hazards. It defines safe methods to ensure that hazards are eliminated or risks minimised.”

Nothing is absolutely safe

Nilsson v. Redditch Borough Council

Develop a safe system of work

Analyse the task

Implement the system

Monitor the system

Materials,Equipment, Environment and People(MEEP)

Environment

Temperature,Lighting,Noise,Ventilation etc.

People

Systems,Training,Skills,Motivation,etc.

Materials

Use,Handling,Storage,Transportation,Disposal etc.

Equipment

Design,Ergonomics,Maintenance,Inspections,etc.

Permit to Work - Situations

High risk activities including

4Confined space entry

4Live working

4Hot/Cold work

4Hazardous areas

4Maintenance operations

4Pressurised systems

Format of a Permit to Work

Issue

Receipt

Clearance and return to service

Cancellation

Extensions