Module 7:

7.2 Working safely

7.2.3 Risk assessment

1   Introduction

Here’s two questions to help you start to focus on this section.

2   What is a risk assessment?

A risk assessment is a fundamental part of a safe system of work.

It is a formal safety check of an activity. The aim of this is to identify any problems or hazards and then to reduce the risk involved from what is being done. The process will help to raise awareness of health and safety issues in the workplace, and also to act as a basis for improving work practices.

The outcome of a risk assessment should be a safe working environment, with minimum chance of individuals being harmed or injured. A risk assessment will identify what precautions need to be taken to make the activity as safe as possible.

It is a legal requirement for an employer to carry out risk assessments in the workplace.

In addition, there is also a legal requirement to document a risk assessment where an organisation has five or more employees. Considering that these assessments improve conditions for everyone and contribute to a safe working environment, reducing likelihood of worker illness and an employer’s loss of productivity and service provision, then they really are well worth doing diligently and thoroughly.