RISK ASSESSMENT A UNIVERSITY GUIDE TO PRACTICAL RISK ASSESSMENT UNDER THE MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK REGULATIONS 1992 PERSONNEL DIVISION REVIEWED AUTUMN 1999
CONTENTS Page 1 INTRODUCTION 1 2 WHAT IS RISK ASSESSMENT? 1 3 UNDERTAKING A RISK ASSESSMENT 2 4 WHAT NEEDS TO BE ASSESSED? 2 5 RECORDING YOUR RISK ASSESSMENT 3 6 WHO CAN UNDERTAKE A RISK ASSESSMENT? 3 7 REVIEWING YOUR RISK ASSESSMENTS 4 8 MONITORING RISK ASSESSMENTS 4 9 TRAINING 4 10 SUMMARY 4 APPENDIX 1 - RISK ASSESSMENT PRO-FORMA 6 APPENDIX 2 - EXAMPLES OF COMPLETED RISK ASSESSMENTS 8 i
1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992 (MHSWR) places an obligation on employers to assess all health and safety risks in their areas of responsibility. 1.2 These University guidance notes have been designed to provide affected departments with practical advice on the completion of risk assessments under the MHSWR Regulations. 1.3 Responsibility for compliance with the contents of this guidance note lies with 'Key' Senior Staff through their respective Heads of Department. 1.4 Risk assessment procedures and guidance which already exist for Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, Display Screen Equipment, Manual Handling and other relevant legislation should be viewed as part of the framework of MHSWR. Therefore, assessments made under other regulations need not be repeated for MHSWR. However, when undertaking MHSWR risk assessments it is important to identify assessments made under other regulations, for example Hazard Person at Risk Risk Control Method Use of substances Staff and Students COSHH assessments hazardous to health completed and implemented 1.5 To prevent duplication of effort by departments generic risk assessments will be constructed and circulated on common significant hazards by the University Health and Safety Adviser. 2 WHAT IS RISK ASSESSMENT? 2.1 Risk assessment is a method for listing significant hazards in the workplace, evaluating the risks from those hazards and then identifying steps to control the risks. It is vital that the distinction between 'hazard' and 'risk' is clearly understood: 'Hazard' 'Risk' is something with the potential to cause harm; is the likelihood of that harm being realised. e.g. Electricity is a significant 'hazard' and can kill but the 'risk' in an office environment is low provided that all live components are insulated and metal casings properly earthed. 1
3 UNDERTAKING A RISK ASSESSMENT 3.1 Departments will not be able to control risks until they first identify them and construct a suitable assessment. 3.2 This will require a survey to be undertaken which will identify significant hazards in the department. Many of these hazards will have been identified during the departmental safety inspections. Concentrate on significant hazards which could cause serious harm or affect several people, ignore trivial hazards. 3.3 When all the significant hazards have been identified the risks must be evaluated and a decision taken on whether or not the existing precautions are satisfactory in controlling the risk to an acceptable level. When deciding if the present precautions or control measures are acceptable or not consideration must be given to: standards set by a legal requirement; compliance with a recognised standard; accepted good practice; reducing the risk so far as is reasonably practicable. 4 WHAT NEEDS TO BE ASSESSED? 4.1 All listed significant hazards need to be assessed. A safety checklist can prove extremely helpful in these circumstances (see Departmental Inspection Guidance Note). The following non-exhaustive list of hazards are common to most departments: slipping/tripping hazards; the condition of walls, floors, stairs and passages; fire precautions (e.g. storage of flammable materials); chemicals (identified, usage and storage); machinery (types, training, guarding); working at heights (ladders, roofs, mobile scaffolds); pressure systems; vehicles (forklift trucks); electricity (portable and fixed plant and equipment); noise; lighting waste disposal (chemical waste); ventilation, temperature control; welfare facilities (washing and sanitary facilities); display screen equipment; manual handling. 2
4.2 Where necessary the evaluation of risks from identified significant hazards should consider the level of competence of the person(s) (staff and students) undertaking the activity/process. The level of risk control identified in the assessment should reflect this consideration. 5 RECORDING YOUR RISK ASSESSMENT 5.1 It is a legal requirement that all risk assessments must be recorded. To assist departments a risk assessment pro-forma is included in these guidelines and are available from the University Health & Safety Adviser (see Appendix I). 5.2 It is important that significant hazards, the risk control method and the persons affected are all identified within the risk assessment, e.g. Hazard Persons at Risk Risk Control Method Working at Height Teaching/Technical/ Implement University Maintenance staff guidance document on Safe Use of Ladders and Scaffolds. Utilise edge protection and roof safe access system. 5.3 Many of the significant hazards may already have been identified and risk assessments undertaken, e.g. COSHH and DSE Regulations. Therefore it will only be necessary to confirm that the risk assessments have been completed. 5.4 When identifying risk control methods it may be appropriate to refer to other documents such as departmental rules, general health and safety procedures, University regulations and manufacturers instructions. 5.5 Once completed the risk assessment pro-forma should be circulated throughout the department to ensure that all affected staff and students are: aware of their existence; understand their relevance and importance; able to identify training requirements; able to implement the risk control methods. 5.6 It is vital that a record is maintained of all risk assessments, a HSE inspector may well ask to see a copy when visiting the University. 6 WHO CAN UNDERTAKE A RISK ASSESSMENT? 6.1 Any competent member of staff with a sound knowledge of departmental activities and general work environment should be in a position to construct a suitable risk assessment. Heads of department should appoint assessors. 3
6.2 It may be necessary to consult colleagues or even organise a small risk assessment group if this is considered necessary. 6.3 In certain circumstances it may be deemed necessary to consult specialist advisers such as the University Health and Safety Adviser. 6.4 Training in the construction of risk assessments can be organised through the University Health and Safety Adviser. 7 REVIEWING YOUR RISK ASSESSMENTS 7.1 It is good practice to review risk assessments from time to time. 7.2 Changes in departmental practices or activities, the introduction of new equipment or machinery may necessitate a change or addition to the risk assessment. 7.3 Risk assessments should only be amended if a significant new hazard has been introduced into the workplace. 8 MONITORING RISK ASSESSMENTS 8.1 The implementation of risk assessments and the effectiveness of specified control methods should be monitored through: i) the departmental consultative procedures; ii) formal departmental safety inspections. 8.2 Local Site Health and Safety panels must ensure that departments included in their membership have completed the appropriate risk assessments. 9 TRAINING 9.1 The provision of adequate training plays a significant part in the control of risks. Where necessary risk assessments should identify training needs for persons at risk. 10 SUMMARY 10.1 To summarise departments must: identify significant hazards - ignoring trivial hazards. Concentrate on hazards which could result in serious harm or affect several people; decide who might be harmed and how; evaluate the risks from the hazards - decide whether the existing precautions are adequate and control risks to an acceptable level, and identify training needs for affected staff and students; 4
record the risk assessments and ensure that they are circulated to all affected staff and students; review the risk assessment from time to time and revise it if necessary. monitor the effectiveness of the completed risk assessments and that all significant hazards have been subjected to a formal risk assessment. References 5 Steps to Risk Assessment - HSE CVCP - Code of Practice of University Safety Management 5
APPENDIX 1 THE MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK REGULATIONS 1992 RISK ASSESSMENT PRO-FORMA FACULTY DEPARTMENT 1) HAZARD 2) PERSONS AT RISK 3) RISK CONTROL METHOD 4) FURTHER ACTION REQUIRED NAME AND STATUS OF ASSESSOR SIGNATURE DATE SIGNATURE OF HEAD OF DEPARTMENT DATE 6
RISK ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES Please read the' University guidelines on practical risk assessment for a full explanation of completion of the forms. The following basic advice will help you to complete this form. I HAZARD List the significant hazard which you are about to assess. Only undertake risk assessments of hazards which could cause serious harm to a person or affect several persons, e.g. working on certain types of machinery, working at height. 2 PERSONS AT RISK List the category of staff, student or visitor who could be harmed by the hazard. 3 RISK CONTROL METHOD What action has been taken to control the risk The emphasis is on control and reduction of risk, not the complete removal of the risk, eg. working on a circular saw. The main hazard is through the cutting action of the saw, the risk is serious harm to the hand or arm. The risk control methods are the use of appropriate guards and safety devices, restriction on usage to competent and trained staff, isolation systems to prevent unauthorised use. As an assessor you can refer to departmental rules and regulations, University guidelines etc. 4 FURTHER ACTION REQUIRED If, as an assessor, you are not satisfied with the present risk control methods this must be stated. Contact must be made with the Head of Department or other Senior Member of staff to ensure this is brought to' the immediate attention of the departmental management. Appropriate action can then be taken. 7
APPENDIX 2 THE MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK REGULATIONS 1992 EXAMPLE RISK ASSESSMENT PRO-FORMA FACULTY DEPARTMENT 1) HAZARD Circular Saw Machine Significant hazard: powered by 415 AC electrical supply; exposed cutting blade; dust generated during cutting operation; noise levels above Noise at Work Regulation action levels; subject to the Woodworking Machine Regulations 1974. 2) PERSONS AT RISK Staff and students approved by the Department. 3) RISK CONTROL METHOD 1 General workshop rules apply students must sign on receipt. 2 Only persons who have been deemed competent by the Department are permitted to use the saw. 3 Machine must be suitably guarded and comply with the Woodworking Machine Regulations. 4 All persons must have received sufficient instruction and training. Records of training and achievement will be maintained. 5 Machine is part of departmental hazard classification system. 6 Hearing protection must be provided and worn. 7 Extraction system must be switched on during each operation. 8 Machine is connected to the emergency stop isolation system. 9 Machine is protected by a key isolation system to prevent unauthorised use. 10 Adequate lighting is provided by fluorescent fittings. 4) FURTHER ACTION REQUIRED NAME AND STATUS OF ASSESSOR SIGNATURE DATE SIGNATURE OF HEAD OF DEPARTMENT DATE 8
APPENDIX 2 THE MANAGEMENT OF HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK REGULATIONS 1992 EXAMPLE RISK ASSESSMENT PRO-FORMA FACULTY DEPARTMENT 1) HAZARD Working at height possibility of fall from height leading to serious injury: significant hazard. Note this assessment does not apply to working on roofs. 2) PERSONS AT RISK Staff and students. 3) RISK CONTROL METHOD 1 University safe working practice document Working with Aluminium Towers and Ladders applies. 2 Ladders must comply with BS 2037/BS 1129. 3 Towers must comply with BS 2037. 4 Training in the erection of tower scaffold is essential. Persons who have received training must be recorded. 5 This assessment applies to general access situation. More complete access problems must be assessed on an individual basis. 4) FURTHER ACTION REQUIRED NAME AND STATUS OF ASSESSOR SIGNATURE DATE SIGNATURE OF HEAD OF DEPARTMENT DATE 9
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