Home | Business News | Browse by Publication | C | Chartered Management Institute: Checklists: Operations and Quality

Health and safety: undertaking a risk assessment.

Article Excerpt
Introduction

Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 implies the need for risk assessment as part of the general duties of employers to their employees. Section 3 of the Act extends this duty to anybody else affected by activities of the employer to include contractors, visitors, customers and members of the public. However, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999) is more specific concerning the need for risk assessment.

Failure to comply with the relevant legislation can result in fines and/or imprisonment for senior managers or directors. By identifying hazards in the workplace and the likelihood of an accident occurring (the risk), employers can take action to deal with the most pressing problem areas. Reducing accidents in the workplace benefits both employer and employee through the creation of a safer working environment and savings due both to a reduction in lost time and productivity, and fewer accident claims.

Risk assessments comply with Health and Safety legislation and make accident prevention easier by identifying hazards before there is a problem. Carrying out risk assessments helps to improve workforce morale by conveying a "caring" attitude, however, it will require resources (in staff time) if they are to be undertaken thoroughly.

When carrying out a risk assessment be sure to involve everyone within the organisation, check the accident or "near- miss" log regularly and ensure that assessors are adequately trained.

This checklist does not aim to cover the complex legal issues, for which expert advice should be sought but provides a plan of action for those carrying out a risk assessment in their company or organisation.

National Occupational Standards for Management and Leadership

This checklist has relevance...