Process of a Risk Assessment

There are certain logical steps to take when carrying out a risk assessment

1. Look for the hazard.

2. Decide who might be harmed and how.

3. Evaluate the risks arising from the hazards and decide whether existing precautions are adequate or more should be done.

4. Record the findings.

5. Inform colleagues/employees of your findings.

6. Review your assessment from time to time and revise it if necessary.

Benefits of Risk Assessment

• to enable control measures to be devised.

• to gain an idea of the relative importance of risks.

• to take decisions on controls which are cost effective and appropriate.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, “Risk assessment is not ending in itself. It is a means to better management of safety. It is a thinking process which enables the management of determined priorities and allocates resources in a way which will better control or eliminate risks to health and safety at work”.

Risks can be presented in the following forms

• materials                                          • natural forces

• machinery                                        • other people

• working environment                        • working processes

The effects of uncontrolled risks can be:-

• injured people

• damaged materials/machinery, production, output and quality

• polluted environment

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