Risk Assessment

Why should I undertake Risk Assessments?

In the UK there is a legal obligation to complete risk assessments. Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 states that, “every employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of: · The risks to the health and safety of his (or her) employees to which they are exposed whilst they are at work; and · The risks to the health and safety of persons not in his employment arising out of or in connection with the conduct of him or his undertaking�.

Regulation 4 then obliges the employer to apply a hierarchy of risk controls.

In other countries occupational health laws are also in place and commonly compel employers to take a similar approach to providing a safe and healthy place of work.

In addition to completing assessments in order to satisfy your legal requirements, you may want to consider their practical value: · They can be instrumental in reducing the number of ‘safety critical’ incidents that occur · They underpin a process that creates a safe, secure and welcoming environment, which is likely to enhance corporate image as well as customer confidence and loyalty · They ensure time and resources, including expenditure, are targeted efficiently and effectively

What exactly is a Risk Assessment?

Risk Assessment can be described as the ‘systematic examination of work activities to determine if there are any ‘hazards’ that are likely to expose workers to the threat of harm or injury’.

A ‘hazard’ can be described as anything with the potential to cause harm; including people, objects and situations.

Any Risk Assessment must identify: · The nature of the hazard and potential for harm · The factors that increase the likelihood of staff exposure to the hazard · The measures necessary to eliminate, reduce or manage the risk of exposure to the named hazard

High-Risk Workplaces

The following elements are commonly found in workplaces with the highest recorded incidence of workplace violence:

    * Sexual harassment

    * Verbal abuse

    * Minimum-wage payrolls

    * Discrimination

    * Workplace bullying

    * Poor or dangerous working conditions

    * Lack of job security.

    * Physical attacks (i.e. hitting, shoving)

    * Threatening behaviour (shaking fists, destroying property or throwing things)

Occupational Groups at Higher Risk From Workplace Violence

    * Health care employees

    * Correctional officers

    * Social services employees

    * Teachers

    * Municipal housing inspectors

    * Public works employees

    * Retail employees

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