Risk Assessment
Controlling hazards at work is no different from tackling any other task - it's about recognising the problem, knowing enough about it, deciding what to do, and putting the solution into practice.
The need to assess risks was first implied in the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and has been a feature of most subsequent Health and Safety Regulations.
Risk Assessment is a systematic examination of a work activity to identify any hazards involved and the likelihood of those hazards causing harm.
A Hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm e.g. substances, electricity, work activities and equipment.
Risk is how likely it is that a hazard will cause actual harm. An effective risk assessment will:
- Identify the hazards
- Identify the risk and who is likely to be affected
- Eliminate or minimise the risk by the introduction of control measures
- Monitor control measures and review.
The risk assessment should be reviewed periodically and whenever there are significant changes in the workplace or changes to legislation.
A sample risk assessment form which you may use is attached at the end of this page.
Risk Assessment for manual handling
View the Risk Assessment information for manual handling
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