B Part 4 Risk Assessment & Study Example By J Mc Cann

Risk Assessment By Jim McCann

The following slide show is for guidance only, it will demonstrate the principles of assessing Risks within the work place as set out in the Approved Code of Practice (ACOP) The Five Steps to Risk Assessment, issued by the Health and Safety Executive, and complies with the requirements set out in the Management of Health and Safety Regulations 1999

In the example situation, there may well be more and/or different hazards to consider. The points raised here are not meant to be comprehensive and have been chosen for the purpose of illustration.

RISK ASSESSMENTS

What is a risk assessment?

Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 .Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (PPE);Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992 Noise at Work Regulations 1989 Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999 (COSHH);Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 1987Control of Lead at Work Regulations 1998

‘The risk assessment provisions in all these regulations say that your assessment of risks must be either 'adequate' or 'suitable and sufficient'. These mean the same thing and tell you that you do not have to be overcomplicated. In deciding the amount of effort you put into assessing risks, you have to judge whether the hazards are significant and whether you have them covered by satisfactory precautions so that the risks are small’

Five steps to risk assessment INDG163(rev) 1998

A risk assessment is nothing more than a careful examinationof what, in your work, could cause harm to people, so thatyou can weigh up whether you have taken enoughprecautions or should do more to prevent harm. The aim is tomake sure that no one gets hurt or becomes ill. Accidents andill health can ruin lives, and affect your business too. You arelegally required to assess the risks in your workplace.The important things you need to decide are whether ahazard is significant, taking into account any contributoryfactors and whether you have it covered by satisfactoryprecautions so that the risk is small.

Hazard means anything that can

cause harm

Risk is the chance, high or low, that

somebody will be harmed by the

hazard.

EXAMPLE

Working from ladders, obviously the risks increase with the height, however there may be other contributory factors that will increase the risks e.g. weather conditions wind and or rain, where the work is being carried out, the structure onto which the ladder is placed, the surface on which the ladders are being used will increase or decrease the risks of working on ladders.Contributory factors may change rapidly and without warning.

What do I need to do

as an employer?

As an employer you are legally obliged under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 to carry out a risk assessment of the significant risks in your workplace. Where there are five or more employees a record should be kept.

How detailed will your assessment be?

This will depend on the type of operations and tasks performed. The assessor should look at the overall operations or tasks that employees are required to perform. This may involve assessing the operation or task at different times of day and or under different environmental conditions.Significant findings of the assessment should be recorded and a record kept. It may be helpful to use a checklist to aid this process.

FIVE STEPS TO RISK

ASSESSMENT

STEP 1 Identify the

Hazard

Look only for hazards which you could reasonably expect to result in harm under all the conditions in your workplace. Use the following examples as a guide:• Manual Handling Operations (e.g. Gates )• Vehicular traffic movement• Electrical Equipment • Chemicals, corrosive or toxic substances• Hot or extremely cold articles or substances• Radiological processes• Biological processes, products or Natural • Stress at work (e.g. System of work , lack of welfare facilities)• Environment (e.g. Noise, Exhaust Fumes, Climatic conditions )

Slipping/tripping would not be considered as a hazard unless as it is a consequence of e.g.Uneven poorly maintained roads , pathways , surfaces or where slippery substances or conditions are found.

In other words unless there is something that would contribute too, cause or increase the risk of slipping or tripping .Remember only significant findings (hazards or risks) need be recorded

STEP 2

Who might be harmed?

Staff

Operators

Members of the public

Contractors

There is no need to list individuals by name – just think about groups of people doing similar work or who might be affected by the work being done e.g. Consideration must also be given toPregnant women and Young persons for certain activities. A persons capacities, abilities and or disabilities must also be taken into account when assessing risks.

STEP 3

Is more needed to control the risk?

For the hazards listed, do the precautions already taken:

· Meet the standards set by a legal requirement?

· Comply with a recognized industry standard?

· Represent good practice?

· Reduce risk as far as reasonably practicable?

Common sense is probably the most important factor, talk to the people who do the job they are often in the best position to know. You may also have to refer to the appropriate legislation , Regulations or Codes of Practice. To check whether the duties are ‘in so far as reasonably practicable ‘ or ‘absolute duties’ E.g. Guards and Emergency stops on certain machines , prime movers and Presses are absolute duties.Examples of Statutory Acts / Instruments;-•The Health and Safety at Work etc Act•The Factories Act•Management of Health and Safety at work Regulations•COSHH Regulations•Manual handling Regulations•Provision and use of work place equipment Regulations•The Working Time Regulations

Have you provided

· Adequate information, instruction , training and supervision,

Plant , machines and environment that are safe ?

· Adequate systems of work or procedures? (e.g. Emergency procedures, Defect reporting, maintenance and inspections)

Provision for the safe handling and storage of articles or substances that may cause harm ?.

If so, then the risks are adequately controlled, but you need to indicate the precautions you have in place. Where the risk is not adequately controlled, indicate what more you need to do.

Do your employees know where to look or who to ask for advice and instructions. Have they been adequately trained.

If the answer is no then go back a Step

CHECK

STEP 4

Record your findings

Remember only significant findings need to be recorded, however you still have to let people know what is being done and what they have to do.

•STEP A

List significant hazards here:

Vehicular traffic entering / exitingMechanical / Electrically operated GatesManually operated Gates

The findings should be recorded and the staff concerned informed and instructed as to their outcome and of the safe method of work.

If you decide there are no risks to health, or the risk is minimal this does not need to be recorded.

•STEP B

•List groups of people who areat risk from the hazards you have identified

•STEP C

•List existing controls or note where the information may be found. •List risks which are not adequately controlled and the action needed:

STEP 5 Review and revision

On review check that the precautions for each hazard still adequately control the risk. If not indicate the action needed.

Note the outcome. Making changes in your workplace may introduce new hazards. Look for them and follow the five steps.

EXAMPLE

STEP 1 HAZARDS

MOVING VEHICLES

ELECTRICAL / MECHANICALLY OPERATED GATES AND BARRIERS

MANUALLY OPERATED GATES

PEDESTRIANS (even people can be a hazard)

HAZARDS & CONTRIBUTORY FACTORS ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

ENVIRONMENT; EXPOSURE TO CLIMATIC VARIATIONS,

BIOLOGICAL ( Midges)

NOISE EXPOSURE TO FUMES / EXHAUST

VIOLENCE / ABUSE

Driver fatigue, influence of alcohol / drugs, vehicle condition and excessive speed.

Road surface wear and tear.

Ice , fuel / oil spills reducing road surface friction co-efficiency

Glare indices (Direct, Indirect and reflective) see Handout on lighting.

Shift working, Tiredness and Stress

Slips & Trips

STEP 2Who is at risk from the significant hazards

Staff on Access control duties

Staff

Contractors

Visitors

General public

STEP 3 Assessing the risk from the identified Hazards and contributory factors

HAZARD CONTROL MEASURESADEQUATE TO CONTROL THE HAZARD OR TO REDUCE OR

ELIMINATE RISKS Y/N

MOVING VEHICLES

• Extra manning at times of high volume

• Traffic control wands

• CSO directing traffic and pedestrians

• PPE HIGH VISIBILITY JACKETS AND VESTS ,

• Training and supervision

• Separation of vehicles & pedestrians via pedestrian gates

ELECTRICAL / MECHANICALLY

OPPERATED GATES

• Emergency stop buffer strip on gate

• Maintenance and defect reporting systems

• Emergency stop on gate and barrier controls

• Flashing lights and claxon when gate moves

• Training and supervision

MANUALLY OPERATED GATES

• Manual Handling Training and supervision

• Maintenance and defect reporting systems

• i.a.w. Manual Handling Regulations

Traffic management

• One way system in operation during in musters,

• extra manning,

• Reduced opening, traffic wands, CSO controlling traffic movement,

• Training and instruction

• I.a.w. Standing orders and Post Instructions

Electrically operated barrier

• Emergency stop, controlled / separation from a distance

• Defect reporting

• Instruction and training

• Maintenance i.a.w. The Factories Act, Electrical Regulations

Traffic calming

• To reduce speed of vehicles entering /exiting the car park

• Speed restrictions

• i.a.w Standing orders

Signs and signals / road markings

•Speed restrictions approaching check points

•Traffic control wands

•Warning signs

•Defect reporting systems•Training and instruction•Traffic cones•All signage In accordance with Signs and signals Regulations

Welfare

• Systems of work that allow adequate breaks and reduce exposure times

• Provision of rest & toilet facilities

• Drying room and dryer

• Management training recognising Stress

• Supervision

• Alcohol / drug policies

• Violence / harassment policies

• WELFARE at Work REGULATIONS

Good house keeping

•Defect reporting

•CSO required to keep post tidy

•Electrical equipment tested

•Electrical Regulations, PUWER

•Roads and paths swept, sanded/ gritted as required

ENVIRONMENT

•Systems of work to reduce exposure times

•Issue of foul weather clothing

•Heaters

•Insect repellent and Gas operated insect trap

•Defect reporting

•Sun block

•Dip Headlights warning notices

•Maintenance and defect reporting

•Lighting

EMERGENCY PROCEEDURES &

COMMUNICATIONS

• Emergency reporting procedures as set down in standing orders

• Defect reporting

• Training and supervision

• Airwaves radio training

• Telephone

• Report of Injuries Dangerous Occurrence Regulations, Accident reporting & Major Accident Hazard Regulations

• Training and supervision

PPE

&

Uniform

• High visibility Jackets and Vests

• Boots to provide toe and ankle protection , Thermal and water resistant qualities

• Uniform foul weather clothing

• PPE Regulations, Standing Orders

ERGONOMICSContributory factors in the

layout of the New North Gate

• The Slope, is reported as contributing to back pain by staff. Also increases stopping distance for traffic entering the gates

• The shelter is draughty , cramped, with no installed heating and poor lighting, seating is unsuitable.

• No access to toilet facilities, exacerbated during nightshift when there is no one available to act as a relief

For the hazards listed, do the precautions

already taken:

· Meet the standards set by a

legal requirement? y/n

· Comply with a recognized

industry standard? y/n

· Represent good practice? y/n

· Reduce risk in so far as is reasonably practicable? y/n

REVISE

ARE THE INSTRUCTIONS AND TRAINING ADEQUATE y/n

IF THE ANSWER IS NO TO ANY OF THE PREVIOUS THEN GO BACK TO STEP 3. REVISE AND RECORD WHAT MEASURES NEED TO BE TAKEN TO CONTROL THE RISKS

IF THE ANSWERS ARE YES THEN YOU ARE

CONTROLING THE RISKS

Moving Vehicle HazardPedestrian Access / Egress Due to the FASLANE 360 Protests the pavement

outside the North Gate is fenced off requiring Pedestrians who wish to gain access to enter via the Main Gate.

This presents an increased hazard to pedestrians

A higher level of vigilance and control of Vehicles is required by Gate Staff on Traffic Control Duties in order to allow safe access to pedestrians.

PPE and Uniform Issues are being looked into by the Clothing

Committee and will be revised

ERGONOMICS Speed restrictions and warning signs maybe required,

staff awareness / training

Rotations in place to limit exposure times.

Portable heaters supplied

AFTER AN ACCIDENT OR NEAR MISS

IF ANYTHING CHANGES

SET A DATE / TIME FOR A REVIEW

INVOLVE THE TRADE UNIONS SAFETY REPS

AND EMPLOYEES

DO NOT JUST FILE AND FORGET