Step 1: Identify the hazards

First you need to work out how people could be harmed. When you work in a place everyday it is easy to overlook some hazards, so here are some tips to help you identify the risks.

·         Walk around your workplace and look at what could cause harm.

·         Ask your employees their opinion.

·         Check manufacturers’ instructions for chemicals. They can be very helpful in identifying the hazards.

·         Look back at your accident records. That can help you to identify the less obvious hazards.

·         Remember to think about long-term hazards to health (eg high levels of noise or exposure to harmful substances) .

Step 2: Decide who could be harmed and how

For each hazard you need to be clear about what group of workers could be harmed; it will help you identify the best way of managing the risk. Remember:

·         Some workers have particular requirements, for example new and young workers, migrant workers, ^[1][new or expectant mothers^[3] and people with disabilities^[4] could be at particular risk.

·         cleaners, visitors, contractors, maintenance workers etc, who may not be in the workplace all the time;

·         members of the public, if they could be hurt by your activities;

In each case, identify how they could be harmed, for example,  what type of injury could occur.

Step 3: Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions

After spotting the hazards, you have to decide what to do about them. The law requires you to do everything ‘reasonably practicable’ to protect people from harm.

First, look at what you are doing, think about what controls you have in place and how the work is organised. Then, compare this with the good practice and see if there’s more you should do to reach the standard. You have to consider the following questions:

·         Can I get rid of all the hazards ?

·         How can I control the risks to prevent harm?

When controlling risks, apply the following principles in the following order:

·         try a less risky option (for example, use a less hazardous chemical);

·         prevent access to the hazard ( for example, guarding);

·         organise work to reduce exposure to the hazard (for example, put barriers between pedestrians and traffic);

·         issue personal protective equipment (for example clothing, footwear, goggles etc); and

·         provide welfare facilities ( for example, first aid and washing facilities for removal of contamination).

Improving health and safety doesn’t cost a lot. For example, placing a mirror on a dangerous blind corner to help prevent vehicle accidents is a low-cost precaution considering the risks. Not to take simple precautions can cost you a lot more if an accident happens.

Step 4: Record your findings and implement them

Putting the results of your risk assessment into practice makes a difference .

Writing down the results of your risk assessment, and sharing them with your staff, encourages you to do this. When writing down your results, do it simple, for example. We do not expect a risk assessment to be perfect, but it must be suitable and sufficient. A risk assessment must show that: ^[

·         a proper check was made;

·         you asked who could be affected;

·         you worked with all the significant hazards.

·         the precautions are reasonable, and the risk is low.

·         you involved your staff in the process.

Don’t try to do all the improvements at once. Make a plan of action and consider the most important things first. A good plan of action includes a combination of different things such as:

·         a few cheap or easy improvements that you can do quickly

·         long-term solutions to risks that cause accidents or ill health;

·         long-term solutions to the risks with the worst potential consequences;

·         training employees on the main risks and how they can be controlled;

·         regular checks to make sure that the control measureswork.

·         clear responsibilities.

Remember prioritise the most important things first.

Step 5: Review your risk assessment and update if necessary

 Few workplaces stay the same. Sooner or later, you need new equipment, substances and procedures that could cause new hazards. You have to review what you do every year or six months. Consider the following questions: 

• Are there any changes?
• Are there improvements you need to make?
• your workers spotted a problem?

Make sure your risk assessment stays up to date.

When you run a business it’s easy to forget about reviewing your risk assessment – until something goeswrong and it’s too late. So, take notes in your diary as an annual event. And don’t wait: check your risk assessment and make improvements when necessary.