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.