RISK MANAGEMENT Siobhan Mulvenna, GIOSH, FCIPD www.smt-solutions.com
What is Risk Assessment? Like any other area of your business, health and safety needs to be properly managed. To do this you need to know what the main hazards and risks are within your business so that you can control them effectively.
D Definitions Hazard Something with the potential to cause harm Risk The likelihood of harm occurring Risk assessment Calculation and reduction of risk. Control measure Something to reduce the risk.
Risk assessment HAZARD Potential to cause harm RISK Likelihood of harm from that hazard This depends on: Likelihood or frequency of the harm occurring Severity of the harm or injury Number of people exposed.
Hazard and risk a practical example Hazard the damaged floor has the potential to cause harm Risk (likelihood it will cause harm) depends on several factors Extent of damage Nos walking over it, how often, what they are wearing and level of lighting
Risk Assessment Template
Five steps to risk assessment! Identification of hazards, calculation of risk and reduction of risk PRINCIPLES OF RISK ASSESSMENT 1 2 3 4 5 Identify hazards Identify those who may be harmed Evaluate risk by considering existing precautions Record the findings Review and revise as necessary.
Step 1 Identify the hazards
Step 1 Identify the hazards Fire Noise Electricity Machinery Poor lighting Manual handling Working at height Slips and trips High or low temperatures Dust, fumes and poor ventilation Chemicals.
Categorizing Hazards Physical Moving machinery Electricity Incorrect manual handling Internal transport Poor housekeeping Faulty equipment Chemical Solvents Acids Caustics Dyes Glues Cleaning agents Biological Viruses e.g. hepatitis B, AIDS Bacteria e.g. legionella, e-coli Fungi e.g. athletes foot Micro-organisms e.g. humidifier
Categorizing Hazards Ergonomic Repetitive movements Environmental Noise Pressure Radiation Psychosocial Stress Violence Shift work Long Hours Non work related problems Intense physical/mental activity
Invisible hazards! Noise Dust Mists fumes gases vapours Unsuitable lighting Vibration Extremes temperature Sources of radiation Injury through poor design of tasks and machinery
Step 2: Who might be harmed and how? non-employees Visitors (authorised) Public Emergency services Other employees Colleagues Employees from other sites Special groups
Step 3: Evaluate the risk
Step 3 Evaluate the risk? Are existing precautions and control measures satisfactory? If not can they be improved? Do they: reduce the risk comply with the law represent good practice?
Step 3a Evaluate the risk? Are existing precautions and control measures satisfactory? If not can they be improved? Have the staff: received training received information received procedures been advised about risk assessments been provided with PPE?
Hierarchy of control Step 3a Elimination do you have to do this task, use this area, substance or machinery, or lift the box Substitution can you use less hazardous substances e.g. non-irritant? Can you use a trolley or lifting equipment that will do the job with less risk? Enclosure can the hazard be put in another area where people are not exposed to risk? Can you put up fencing or enclose it? Isolation. do people have access to the area or equipment? Can you switch it off when ot in use?
Hierarchy of control Step 3a Ventilation increased general ventilation or specific local exhaust ventilation, would this reduce the risk. Good housekeeping reduces risk Time control how long is someone exposed to the risk? Could it be reduced? Training ensure all staff are competent to do their tasks Personal protective equipment (PPE) this is the last resort, always reduce the risk at source first.
Step 4: Record the findings
Record the findings Step 4! A legal requirement if more than five employees
Step 5 Review and revise if necessary Review Regularly If changes in the workplace occur After an accident or near miss.
Some common examples What are the hazards? Who might be harmed and how? What are you already doing? What further action do you need to take? Who needs to carry out the action? When is the action needed by? Done Slips and Trips Staff and visitors may be injured if they trip over objects or slip on spillages. Good general housekeeping. All areas well lit, including stairs. No trailing leads or cables. Staff keep their work areas clear, eg no boxes left in walkways, deliveries stored immediately. Offices cleaned every evening. Better housekeeping in staff kitchen needed, eg on spills. Arrange for loose carpet tile on second floor to be repaired / replaced. All staff and supervisor to monitor Manager From now on From now on 01/09/1 0 02/09/1 0
Some common examples What are the hazards? Who might be harmed and how? What are you already doing? What further action do you need to take? Who needs to carry out the action? When is the action needed by? Done Manual handling of equipment etc. Staff risk injuries or back pain from handling heavy / bulky objects, eg deliveries of paper/product/machinery. Trolleys used to transport boxes of and other heavy items when collecting deliveries etc. High shelves for light objects only. Remind staff that they should not try to lift objects that look or appear too heavy to handle. Manager 04/09/10 02/09/1 0
Some common examples
Some common examples
Thank You!