Most businesses use generic risk assessment that is applicable to all risks. They might use ones for specific risks, such as fire management, or they might use one-off risk assessments. Frequency The frequency of a risk depends on the type of risk being assessed and the severity of the risk. Employers must complete a risk assessment book for all workers working in the organization; these identifies the risks that may last for some time, but if new working practices are introduced into the oracle, a new risk assessment will be needed.
Content Although there is no specific content for risk management, it is an administrative document aimed at assessing and controlling risk. Its content will need to reflect whatever it contains, it needs to identify hazards in the workplace and which staff might be harmed, and employers need to identify how the individuals might be harmed. Hazards in the working environment A hazard is a situation that poses a level of threat to life, health, property, or environment.
Employers as well as employees have to co-ordinate their work, o that they ensure that no-one gets hurt during the process. Most of the hazards which are mostly found in hospitals surroundings such as kitchens, food and beverage service areas and customer service areas can pose a significant threat to safety. They need to be carefully managed; this helps to maintain safety awareness in the workplace. Before commencing any work, staff must make sure that they are aware of the potential hazards and are familiar with ways of reducing any risk of harm to themselves and consumers.
Types of hazards Common hazards in the workplace hysterical heat, cold, sharp objects, heavy or bulky loads, spills, slips, trips, falls, noise, broken glass, poor lighting, slippery surfaces, steam biological infectious diseases, food contamination chemical cleaning chemicals, pest control chemicals, oil, gas, dust, fumes mechanical/ electrical electrical appliances, slickers, grinders psychological stress, fatigue, personal security, cash handling and financial responsibility, aggressive and angry customers They can reduce the risk of harm to themselves and others by: eliminating the hazard altogether
C] replacing the hazard with a safer option CLC repairing the hazard (if it is faulty, unclean or unsafe) adapting work tasks to make it safer when dealing with the hazard Closing protective equipment such as guards, signs, gloves D Training all staff in safe work practices. Example of a risk assessment in an office based business Setting the scene In an office based business industry, the office manager carries out the risk assessment in the organization. It usually provides management and financial consultancy services, and which leases two storey of a ten-storey office lock.
Usually eighteen staff works in this organization, one is a wheelchair user. The offices usually contain typical office furniture and equipment. There is usually a staff kitchen, where drinks can be prepared and food heated, and there are toilet and washing facilities on each floor. For health and safety reasons the organization ensures that the offices are cleaned on a regular basis. They make sure the cleaning products are stored in a safe decent environment, in Order to protect other employees from harm.
The office block was built before the year 2000. The landlord had surveyed the building for the presence of asbestos and has shared the findings of this survey with all of the tenants. Asbestos-containing materials (CACM) were found but were in good condition and in places where they were not likely to be damaged, worked on or disturbed, so it was decided to leave them in place that they were. The office block is locked from 9:00 pm to 6:00 am Monday to Friday and at weekends, although 24 hour/7 days a week security cover is provided.
Although this example of risk assessment is for an office-based business, it ay equally be applied to any business that has office-based functions within it premises. How was the risk assessment done? The manager followed the guidance in five Steps to risk assessment. 1 TO identify the hazards, the manager: Looked at He’s office health and safety web pages, including the Office wise leaflet (www. Hose. Gob. UK/puns/nudging. PDF) to learn where hazards can occur, and at the disability and risk assessment web pages; walked around the office health and safety web pages, including the office wise leaflet (www. Hose. Gob. UK/puns/nudging 73. UDF) to learn where hazards can occur, and t the disability and risk assessment web pages; Walked around the office, noting things that might pose a risk and taking into consideration what was learnt from He’s guidance; Talked to supervisors and staff, including the member of staff who is a wheelchair user, to learn from their knowledge and experience of areas and activities, and listen to their concerns and opinions about health and safety issues in the workplace; He also had a chat with the office cleaning contractors, to ensure that the cleaning activities did not pose a risk to office staff, and vice versa; Looked at the accident book to understand what has previously resulted in incidents. 2. The manager then wrote down who could be harmed by the hazards and how. 3. For each hazard, the manager wrote down what controls, if any, were in place to manage these hazards. The manager then compared these controls to the good practice guidance provided in He’s office health and safety web pages.
