NHSBT. Health and Safety. Risk Assessment Manual

Transcription

1 This Datasheet replaces DAT589/2.1 Copy Number Effective 31/07/15 NHSBT Health and Safety Author(s) Lee Bayliss Page 1 of 19

2 CONTENTS 1.0 The aim of this manual Restrictions Introduction Definitions Hazard Risk Risk Assessment Examples of risks arising from tasks Risk assessment in practice The legal background Your role as a risk assessor How to carry out a risk assessment The risk assessment process Look for the hazards Emergencies Obtaining information Decide who might be harmed and how Women of child bearing age or new or expectant mothers Young persons Contract or agency workers Evaluate the risks Impact Likelihood of harm Risk action levels Hierarchy of control measures Record your findings Additional considerations Workstation checklist Model risk assessments Back to work risk assessments Review Personal Protective Equipment Special Techniques...17 Author(s) Lee Bayliss Page 2 of 19

3 1.0 The aim of this manual This manual is intended to provide you with guidance for conducting your own risk assessments. It will offer practicable advice with guidance and worked examples to help you. If you have any queries your local Health & Safety Advisor will be pleased to help you. 2.0 Restrictions This manual should only be used for general risk assessments with the risk assessment form / Datix; it does not cover risk assessment for hazardous substances, manual handling or display screen equipment. Risk assessments must be undertaken by suitably trained and competent staff, i.e. persons with adequate knowledge, training and expertise in understanding hazard and risk, know the work activity and have the ability and authority to collate all the necessary, relevant information and have the knowledge, skills and experience to make the right decisions about risks and the control measures that are needed. 3.0 Introduction In many respects risk assessments have been with us a good deal longer than those formally required in much health and safety legislation. Whether we choose to cross the road at a proper crossing, or to chance it thus saving a couple of minutes, are all types of assessment. There are many other examples in life like this that challenges us every day. However it is now a legal requirement to carry out such assessments in the interests of safety. Although the requirement has always been implied in the Health and Safety at Work Act etc.1974 with wording such as reasonably practicable appearing in the Act, the later regulations make this compulsory. Examples of such regulations include the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulation (MHSAW). Not only are risk assessments compulsory they must be written down. 4.0 Definitions 4.1 Hazard A hazard is something with the potential to cause harm (this can include substances, obstacles, activities, machines, methods of work etc.). E.g. A motor vehicle has the potential to cause damage and is therefore a hazard 4.2 Risk Cyanide has the potential to cause harm and is therefore a hazard Noise has the potential to cause damage and is therefore a hazard The likelihood of potential harm from a hazard being realised. This will depend upon the likelihood of harm occurring, the impact of harm and the population, which may be affected by the hazard. From the examples of hazards provided earlier here are some risks as examples. Author(s) Lee Bayliss Page 3 of 19

4 A motor vehicle can cause damage and is therefore a hazard. However if it is unable to come into contact with people or property e.g. by controls such as having separated traffic and pedestrian routes, barriers to prevent collision with other plant or machinery the likelihood of damage (risk) is low. Alternatively the risk can be reduced by imposing speed restriction that would minimise the potential effects of collision. Additionally the more the traffic increases the greater the level of exposure and by limiting access to areas you reduce the chances of an accident. Cyanide can cause damage and is therefore a hazard. As already stated cyanide is hazardous. If the cyanide was used in a sealed process enclosed in fume or extraction cabinets, or used in low concentrations in a controlled process the likelihood of any damage occurring is low. Only when cyanide can enter the body through inhalation, absorption or ingestion does it pose a threat to health. If it cannot gain entry into the body, whilst still being extremely hazardous, the risk is insignificant. Risk therefore reflects both the likelihood that harm will occur and its impact. It is not possible to construct a working environment entirely free from risk. 4.3 Risk Assessment A systematic evaluation of a task or environment to identify hazards and risks with the objective to eliminate the hazards or to reduce risk to the lowest acceptable level. A Risk Assessment is simply a process of ensuring that: work activities are as safe as you could reasonably be expected to make them, you have identified what measures should be taken to comply with your duties under the "relevant statutory provisions". It is nothing more than a careful examination of what in your work could cause harm to people so that you can weigh up whether you have taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm. It will also provide an idea of the relative priority of risks to enable us to make decisions on controls, which are both appropriate and cost effective. 4.4 Examples of risks arising from tasks The list below is not exhaustive. Risks Task Author(s) Lee Bayliss Page 4 of 19

5 Risks Falls of a person from height Fall of an object from height/ Trips / slips / falls Electrocution Trapping or crushing from moving parts Noise Cuts Heat stress / heat fatigue Burns / scalds Eye strain Explosions (chemicals, pressure) Asphyxiation Manual handling (including work related upper limb) disorders Fire Task Inspection, servicing and maintenance Working at height (particularly in construction) Stacking Spillage/cleaning/obstructions/uneven flooring. Replacing lamps Use of children s play equipment Use of access equipment Live work on electrical panels Use of machines/hand tools Coming into contact with moving parts of machinery (lift motors, cages, pulleys, cables and compactors) Mechanical lifting operations Operation of vehicles Use of knives/handling broken glass/glass in bins Working in hot temperatures Contact with hot/cold surfaces or liquids Working with insufficient/unsuitable lighting conditions Working habitually on display screen equipment Working in confined spaces Working with pressure vessels, air receivers or gas equipment Lifting crates and boxes Moving soiled linen bags Delivery, storage and distribution of supplies, food deliveries and gas cylinders etc. Domestic services - movement of cleaning materials/equipment Movement of bulky and heavy equipment within the premises e.g. tables, kitchen equipment Working on electrical apparatus Cooking Welding Smoking tobacco Author(s) Lee Bayliss Page 5 of 19

6 Risks Chemicals (gases, dusts, asbestos, smoke, fumes etc.) Biological (Legionellosis, HIV, Hep B) Violence Task Storage/handling chemical substances Removing asbestos/friable asbestos in plant rooms etc. Running taps, using showers, cleaning cooling towers, etc. Handling soiled waste. Coming into direct contact with bodily fluids (e.g. syringes) Dealing with violent members of the public 5.0 Risk assessment in practice There are no fixed rules about how a risk assessment should be undertaken, although there are general principles that should be followed. The type of assessment will depend on the nature of the activities and the type and extent of the hazards and risks. Most important is that risk assessments are practicable. Do not be overcomplicated in your approach, keep things simple, where a serious risk becomes obvious a more detailed investigation should then be undertaken. In practice a structured risk assessment as is suggested here will guide you to the measures you ought to take. The level of detail in a risk assessment should be proportionate to the risk. The purpose is not to catalogue every trivial hazard; nor are you expected to be able to anticipate hazards beyond the limits of current knowledge. A risk assessment should reflect what it is reasonably practicable to expect employers to know about the hazards in their workplaces. The risk assessment process will identify maintenance requirements and the provision of safety training and will assist in the development of procedures and safe systems of work. 6.0 The legal background The legal concept of risk assessment has been with us since the 1974 Health & Safety at Work Act. Regulations where risk assessments are mandatory include the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, the Manual Handling Operations Regulations, the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations, the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations and the Noise at Work Regulations. This risk assessment manual is only concerned with risks that come under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, Regulation 3 Risk Assessment. It is not intended to cover any of the risks covered by other regulations. These will be assessed using other risk Author(s) Lee Bayliss Page 6 of 19

7 assessment systems. It is reasonable to ask the question - what if I get it wrong? The answer is that assessments need to be suitable and sufficient - not necessarily perfect! According to the HSE a suitable and sufficient risk assessment should: (a) identify the significant risks arising from or in connection with work. Trivial risks can usually be ignored as can risks arising from routine activities associated with life in general, unless the work activity compounds those risks, or there is evidence of significant relevance to the particular work activity. (b) involve looking at appropriate sources of information, such as relevant legislation, guidance, manuals and manufacturers instructions to identify risks and seek advice from competent sources, incorporating good practice. (c) enable the employer to identify and prioritise the measures that need to be taken to comply with the relevant statutory provisions. (d) be appropriate to the nature of the work and such that it remains valid for a reasonable period of time. 7.0 Your role as a risk assessor Your role is simply to assess the task with a view to making it as safe as practicable. If possible the hazard should be removed completely. If this is not possible then the risk needs to be controlled to the safest level possible. The role of the Manager Managers are responsible for ensuring that risk assessments are carried out, the outcomes are planned and implemented, staff are told about the findings, that the assessments and control measures are kept under review and that records of the assessments are kept. The role of the H&S Department The H&S Department is responsible for training risk assessors, providing health and safety advice and assistance with complex cases requiring the use of special techniques. See Risk Assessment Management Process Description MPD How to carry out a risk assessment Carrying out a risk assessment comprises of the following 5 steps: 1. Look for the hazards; 2. Decide who might be harmed; 3. Evaluate the risks and decide whether the existing precautions are adequate or whether more should be done; 4. Record your findings; 5. Review your assessment and revise it if necessary. Author(s) Lee Bayliss Page 7 of 19

8 8.1 The risk assessment process The risk assessment process can be summarised thus: Define process/environment Identify Identify hazards Gather information On going hazards Hazards as result or failure or emergency Assess the potential for harm Evaluate Evaluate risksoccurrence and severity Assess riskacceptable or not acceptable Assess Modify process/environment No change, but document and review when necessary Control Author(s) Lee Bayliss Page 8 of 19

9 8.2 Look for the hazards Look at the work activities, the environment, types of equipment and substances to identify the hazards and also obtain any relevant information. Break down the task/activity into steps and identify associated hazards. Determine who is best suited to involve in the assessments and how much time you believe it will take. The effort spent on planning this phase of the process will pay dividends later on. Although less obvious than looking at a system, assessing the general environment, or area causing concern, can be an effective way of assessing the general risks to safety. It is most important that these assessments are carried out thoroughly as it is easy to miss out critical points. When looking at an environment such as an office or laboratory it is helpful to refer to the relevant sections of the NHSBT Health and Safety Policy for guidance. The policy document contains Management Process descriptions (MPDs) on the following: fire safety; first aid; training; pregnant workers; young persons consultation with employees; display screen equipment; manual handling; the workplace; work equipment; infection control; control of hazardous substances; ionising radiation; clinical waste; contractors; permit to work systems. Within the environment, or work area, under investigation it is important to assess the risks to all those there, or those who could be affected by what goes on there. This would include the following: The premises: This relates to the general standard of accommodation that could affect safety, for example the soundness of floors, lighting, ventilation, falls from height, cleanliness, temperature, traffic routes. Safe access: This relates to safe access to and egress from the workplace. Safe plant. This relates to plant and equipment used in the workplace. Items to consider include the power source, location, obtaining new machinery and non-routine such as maintenance and cleaning. Systems of work: This can be defined as the integration of people, machinery and materials and a correct working environment to provide the safest possible working conditions. This could include the provision of standard operating procedures (SOPs), information, instruction and training, warning systems and personal protective equipment (PPE). Information must be provided to people on the precautions that are necessary to do the job safely. Training should be given on induction, on a change of job, following long absences or prior to being exposed to new risks. 8.3 Emergencies Regulation 8 of the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations states that consideration should be given to imminent and serious danger. It is important to consider what could go wrong in a process and to reduce the chances of this happening. Where there is Author(s) Lee Bayliss Page 9 of 19

10 residual risk action to take in the event of an emergency should also be included in a risk assessment where necessary. 8.4 Obtaining information Obtaining proper, reliable information is vital in order to provide a suitable risk assessment. There are several different sources of information, which can be used, these include: Consultation: One of the most valuable sources of information will come from those who will be affected by the risk assessment. It is important to get employees views as they will often have a more clear idea of the process than anyone, this will include the pitfalls and dangers, they will also have a good understanding as to what is practicable to reduce the risk. Consultation about the introduction of new process is also now a legal requirement with the Health and Safety (Consultation with Employees) Regulations. Manufacturers and suppliers: Another valuable source of information will come from the manufacturers and suppliers of equipment and the providers of services. They are obliged to provide you with information to enable you to use the product and service safely. This will include the actions to take in the event of an emergency or unplanned event. With equipment it is important to consider three main factors, which are: phases of a machine life; the circumstances, which may give rise to injury; and the hazards that may cause injury. With the phases of a machines life the things to consider may include: construction of the equipment; transport; the installation and commissioning; start up, operation and shut down; adjustment; cleaning, maintenance and dismantling and disposal. To build up a picture of each of these phases consider the stages of a machines life at home or work, for example a centrifuge, microbiological safety cabinet or even a car. With regard to manufacturers instructions it is important to remember that any deviation would increase our liabilities. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE): The HSE provides legislation, approved codes of practice and guidance on many issues e.g.: Seating at work HSG57. Information can be obtained from the Information Centre at: HSE Information Centre, Broad Lane, Sheffield, S3 7HQ. Tel: Fax: Barbour: Internet H&S information website that the NHSBT has a subscription with to obtain H&S guidance and information including the HSE publications. This can be accessed via the H&S page of the NHSBT Intranet site. Good practice: If you are doing a risk assessment of a process on something you are knowledgeable about you will also know what is considered as good practice both in terms of achieving your desired aim and also doing it safely so as to achieve your goal reliably and safely. It is important that you consider this when assessing the risk. Health and safety advice: If you have any questions, you can contact your Health & Safety Advisor. Accident and near miss figures: Accident information can be useful when carrying out risk assessments. Although not appropriate in every case, information is available from your Health & Safety Advisor. Information from other assessments: In addition to the general requirement for risk assessment there are specific regulations that require a more thorough assessment. These include assessments of manual handling, the use of display screen equipment, control of substances hazardous to health and others. In any general assessment that includes these issues the Author(s) Lee Bayliss Page 10 of 19

11 assessments should be consulted and there recommendations brought into the decision making process. NHSBT Health and Safety policy. 8.5 Decide who might be harmed and how When considering those affected don t just include employees of the NHSBT but also visitors, donors, contractors, patients and those who may not be in the workplace all the time. Members of the public or people you share your workplace with, if there is a chance they could be hurt by your activities. Don t forget people who may be at particular risk, women of child bearing age, new or expectant mothers, young persons, night workers, those who work alone, contract or agency workers and disabled staff Women of child bearing age or new or expectant mothers Regulation 16 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations extends the groups of those who may be at additional risk to include women of child bearing age and new or expectant mothers where they may be exposed to conditions which may adversely affect their health or that of their baby. The risk assessment must take into account the following: Biological Agents; viruses, bacteria and other harmful micro-organisms, Physical Agents; shock, vibration, manual handling operations, noise, ionising and nonionising radiation s, temperature extremes and mental and physical fatigue, Chemical Agents; Mercury, lead, substances absorbed through the skin, cytotoxic drugs, carbon dioxide and chemicals with the following risk phrases: possible risk of irreversible effects (R40); may cause heritable genetic disease (R46); may cause harm to unborn child (R63); may cause harm to breast fed babies (R64). Although most of these criteria are covered by specific assessments such as assessments for hazardous substances (COSHH) or manual handling assessments it is important that you refer to these assessments where they exist and bear in mind this additional duty of care. The outcome of risk assessments for new and expectant mothers must be made known to all women of child bearing age who are employed. See New and Expectant Mothers in the Workplace MPD Young persons The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations extends the groups of those who may be at additional risk to include young persons. Young persons can be defined as persons under the age of 18. Young persons are at increased risk of causing or sustaining harm due to their inexperience, immaturity and possible lack of awareness of existing or potential risks. There are two issues to consider here, these are young persons as visitors and young persons working for the Service. Young persons as visitors The risk assessment should include the following control measures where applicable to reduce as far as reasonably practicable any significant risks identified. As examples these measures may include: Author(s) Lee Bayliss Page 11 of 19

12 Adequate supervision of young persons at all time; Provision of information to parents/guardians on the risks and their responsibilities (notices, leaflets, etc.); Distancing young persons from risks; When the risks cannot be controlled adequately, young persons may need to be excluded from the venues / NHSBT premises. Young persons working for the service This includes students on NHSBT sites as part of their work experience. Risk assessments must be carried out to reflect particular risks to young persons. They must be carried out before employment. Information, including the actions to be taken to control risk, must be provided to the parent or guardian of the young person if under the age of 16. Control measures must be implemented to reduce as far as reasonably practicable any significant risks identified; Additional information, instruction and training must be provided until the young person has demonstrated a satisfactory degree of competence; Adequate supervision must be provided by a competent person; Young persons must be restricted from categories of work defined by the Regulations (e.g. night work and ionising radiation). See Young Persons Visiting or Working with the NHSBT (MPD470) Contract or agency workers This group can be easily overlooked. When carrying out a risk assessment it is important to consider that this group of workers may not be as familiar with the workplace and the hazards. Additional instruction, training and supervision may be required even for more senior staff. 9.0 Evaluate the risks Evaluate the risks and decide whether existing control measures are adequate or more should be done. 9.1 Impact Impact can be defined as the awfulness of the outcome. When considering the impact of harm the following should be considered: Parts of the body affected. The nature of harm or risk impact or consequence ranging from negligible to catastrophic: Description Catastrophic Major Moderate Minor Negligible Health & Safety Example Death is most likely As defined under RIDDOR, such as fracture, dislocation etc. Unable to work as a result of the injury First Aid treatment may be required No injuries, delay in the process Author(s) Lee Bayliss Page 12 of 19

13 Author(s) Lee Bayliss Page 13 of 19

14 9.2 Likelihood of harm The risk likelihood can be defined as the estimated frequency. When considering the likelihood of harm the adequacy of the control measures needs to be considered. With specific hazards these may be covered by legal requirements, guides or codes of practices. Therefore advice may need to be sought if you are not sure. Typically the following should be considered: Number of people exposed; Frequency and duration of exposure; The impact of failure of the system or equipment; Exposure to the elements; Impact of unplanned events; The protection given by personal protective equipment and its limits; Unsafe acts by people (intentional or unintentional) who; may not know what the hazards are; may not have the skills, knowledge or physical ability for the task; underestimate the risks. These subjective assessments of the impact of harm and its likelihood should take into account all people exposed to the hazard. Therefore any hazard is more serious if it affects a greater number of people. Risk likelihood Description Rare Unlikely Possible Likely Timeframe Less than once in 5 years or more Once every 3-5 years Once every 2-3 years Once every 1-2 years Almost Certain At least once in every 12 months Probability % < >80 Frequency How often might it/does it happen This will probably never happen/recur Do not expect it to happen/ recur but it is possible it may do so Might happen or recur occasionally Will probably happen/ recur but it is not a persisting issue 9.3 Risk action levels Will undoubtedly happen/ recur, possibly frequently By lining up the likelihood of risk against the impact of risk on the risk matrix you can evaluate the risk action level: Impact 1 Negligible 2 Minor 3 Moderate 4 Major 5 Catastrophic 5 Almost certain Likelihood 4 Likely Possible Unlikely Author(s) Lee Bayliss Page 14 of 19

15 1 Rare Hierarchy of control measures If you believe the risks already meet the standards set as a legal requirement, comply with a recognised industry standard, represent good practice or already as low as reasonably practicable, and controls are effective and adequate information, instruction and training has been provided you need go no further. However if you believe the risk is not adequately controlled additional measures will be needed. When selecting control measures the hierarchy must be applied and any specific health and safety legal requirements. In deciding upon appropriate measures you should first try to: Eliminate the hazard: Remove the risk completely. Stop doing it! It is always best if possible to avoid a risk altogether, e.g. to do the work in a different way, taking care not to introduce new hazards, or by not using or stocking a particular dangerous substance or article if it is not essential. Substitution: Substitution. Removing the hazardous operation and substituting it with another less hazardous, thereby reducing the risk of injury. For example substituting an oil-based paint for water based paint. Evaluating the risks, which cannot be avoided by carrying out a risk assessment. Control of risks using the following hierarchy and use sources of information to select appropriate control measures ensuring that legal requirements are met: Combat risks at source. Combating risks at source are better rather than purely palliative measures. Thus, if the steps are slippery, treating or replacing them is better than providing a warning sign. Wherever possible, adapt work to the individual This is particularly important as regards the design of workplaces, the choice of work equipment and the choice of working and production methods, with a view in particular to alleviating monotonous work and work at a predetermined work rate. This helps reduce possible adverse effects on health and safety. Take advantage of technology. This often offers opportunities for improving working methods and making them safer e.g. Automate /mechanises it. Prevent access to the hazard (e.g. by guarding - remote operation etc.). Give a priority to those measures, which protect the whole workplace. This yields the greatest benefit; i.e. give collective protective measures priority over individual measures. Organise work to reduce exposure to the hazard. Reorganise peoples work patterns to lower exposure to hazards. The use of procedures. This would include the provision of safe systems of work; for example the issue of standard operating procedures (SOPS) to control risk to an acceptable level. For dangerous activities such as maintenance of microbiological safety cabinets and working on live electrical equipment the use of a Permit to Work system may be appropriate. Permit to Work systems are appropriate where, in spite of precautions being Author(s) Lee Bayliss Page 15 of 19

16 taken the operator is still exposed to significant risk and therefore strict controls are required. Before any work can commence, instructions in writing have to be issued detailing the work to be carried out, identifying the specific pieces of plant to be worked on and the special requirements needed. These must be signed by a competent person to certify that the plant is safe to work on. When the work has been finished the person in charge must sign that the work has been completed and that it is safe to operate. The competent person must then check that the plant is indeed safe before allowing it to go operational. For more information please refer to your Health & Safety Advisor. Make sure people understand what they need to do. All those concerned should receive suitable training, instruction and/or information. The use of warning systems. These would include signs, labels, instructions etc. For example a Bio-hazard sign on the side of a sharps box used at a blood donor session. If this is not possible then: Issue personal protective equipment. The use or personal protective equipment (PPE) should always be seen as a last resort. This is because PPE only give protection to those wearing it and not to others in the workplace who may also be affected if something goes wrong. Additionally the fit of PPE can vary from person to person thus significantly affecting protection. Finally PPE can be uncomfortable to wear and as such can have low compliance unless there is a strict enforcement regime. If the legal requirement for control measures is less than absolute then the following guidance can be used: Best practice Application of up to date technology Assessment of the options Costs versus effectiveness of controls Justification of the costs of the controls Are they really mitigating the hazard. Where a control measure relies upon long term implementation a written plan with targets must be prepared and adequate steps must be taken in the interim to minimise the risks Record your findings The significant findings of your assessment must be recorded on Datix or the risk assessment form when access to datix is not possible e.g. blood collection session (FRM871). Additional control measures to reduce the risk must be discussed with the Manager and then recorded. The completed risk assessment form must be given to your Manager so that all staff and others who may be affected by the hazards e.g.: contractors can be informed of your findings. This is a legal duty under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations. The completed risk assessment must also be kept so that it is available for inspection Additional considerations In addition to the general assessment of risk it is important to consider specific issues, which may affect risk, some of which have additional regulatory powers. These include: Pregnant workers, Confined Space Regulations, Ionising Radiation s Regulations, Health & Safety Author(s) Lee Bayliss Page 16 of 19

17 (display screen equipment) Regulations, Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations, Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, Health & Safety (First Aid) Regulations, Manual Handling Operations Regulation (refer to Manual Handling manual specific training course for this) and COSHH (refer to COSHH risk assessment manual specific training course for this). The H&S department has produced checklists to assist with the risk assessments on the following areas; workstations FRM1390, workplace FRM1389 and work equipment FRM1386. In addition a work equipment inventory FRM1388 should be completed for each department to identify the work equipment that requires risk assessment Workstation checklist The Display Screen Equipment Regulations require an assessment of all workstations, you can comply with this requirement by using the checklist FRM828 for all workstations in your area and complete a risk assessment form to record the hazards identified using the checklist and control measures. This will include workstations in laboratories and offices but does not include workstations of identified DSE users as they will assess their own workstations. When you have completed the workstation checklists and risk assessment forms for workstations in your area discuss with the Manager and give them the original. See Display Screen Equipment MPD MPD Model risk assessments Model or generic risk assessments are produced by Directorates for workplaces containing similar activities reflecting the core hazards and risks associated with these activities. The model assessments may be applied by managers at each workplace, team or department but only if they: Satisfy themselves that the model assessment is appropriate to their type of work and Adapt the model to the detail of their own actual work situations, including any extension necessary to cover hazards and risks not referred to in the model. For example Blood Donation and Patient Services Operations departments have developed model assessments which will need to be signed up to by local Managers and adapted for local situations (within Datix) Back to work risk assessments Occupational Health will ask for back to work risk assessments to be carried out and your Manager may ask you to do this for staff returning from sick leave through injury or ill health. You will be told about the safety related issues by your Manager or occupational health nurse such as the individual capacity to carryout physical duties but not details of medical in confidence issues. Control measures can include more supervision, more reviews with the manager to identify any issues, identification of jobs not able to complete, more rotation through jobs, more rest breaks or changes in activity. You can obtain additional advice from your local H&S Advisor Review Author(s) Lee Bayliss Page 17 of 19

18 Risk assessment must be reviewed regularly, at least annually or when circumstances change that affect the risk and make the risk assessment no longer valid, for instance: following an accident, ill health or dangerous occurrence following a complaint results from health surveillance following a confirmed case of occupationally induced disease e.g. a work related upper limb disorder change of procedure/machine etc. change of legislation new information from manufacturer/supplier new guidance published. During the review process the control measures for each hazard must be checked to ensure that it is still adequately controlling the risk. Complete the risk assessment review within the Datix IT system to record the findings of the review and then send to the Manager Personal Protective Equipment As already discussed the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) must only be used as a last resort, or as a secondary control measure for example with a carcinogen, or when carrying out essential maintenance or repair or in an emergency situation. However, should PPE be required there are additional requirements that must be met. These requirements are covered by the Personal Protective Equipment Regulations. PPE includes the following: (when worn to protect a person s health and safety) protective aprons, clothing for adverse weather conditions, gloves, safety footwear, safety helmets, high visibility waistcoats, eye protectors, respirators, safety harnesses etc. Examples of the hazards they are designed to protect the worker against include: micro-organisms, extremes of temperature, ionising radiation, noise, injury from sharp or heavy objects, dusts, chemical injury etc. No charge can be levied to employees for the provision of PPE. In order to comply with these regulations the following must be assessed in addition to the assessment of hazards and risks detailed above and documented on the risk assessment form. Selection of PPE compatible with the hazards. It is most important to select the right PPE for the hazard. The wrong PPE may not confer any protection for the user at all. Information can be sought from the manufacturers of PPE or your H&S Advisor. Selection of PPE compatible with other PPE issued. If more than one type of PPE is to be issued they must be compatible. For example if a hard hat and earmuffs were required for a job they both must fit properly to allow sufficient protection. The PPE must be compatible with the users i.e. the PPE must fit them. The PPE must be kept in a secure location accessible to the user. The PPE must be maintained and inspected to ensure that it is kept in a satisfactory condition. Maintenance and inspection must be in accordance with manufacturer s recommendations. Author(s) Lee Bayliss Page 18 of 19

19 The users of PPE must be suitably trained. This will include the following: arrangements for the provision of PPE; the cleaning, repair and maintenance of PPE; the storage of equipment; when and how to use the PPE; and, how to report problems. See Personal Protective Equipment MPD Special Techniques If the assessment is for a complex case hazards can be identified by the use of special techniques such as hazard operability studies (HAZOPs) and hazard analysis systems such as fault tree analysis (FTA), failure modes and effect analysis. In these complex cases advice and assistance must be sought from the Health & Safety Advisor. Author(s) Lee Bayliss Page 19 of 19