As an employer, you must assess and manage health and safety risks - whether you are a big business, a small business or just a one-person operation. Accidents and ill health can ruin lives and damage your business. You are not expected to eliminate all risk, but you are required to protect people as far as "reasonably practicable".
A risk assessment is an important tool in protecting your workers and your business. It helps you focus on those risks that have the potential to cause harm. Most of these can be readily controlled by straightforward measures.
Once you've completed the assessment it is important to put your results into practice. If you need to make a number of improvements, you should produce an action plan to deal with the most important first. You should review your assessment on an ongoing basis to make sure that it remains up to date and effective.
This guide details the risk assessment you're required to carry out under health and safety law.
Common issues to consider during your assessment could be;
- tidy up loose or trailing cabling
- look out for wet, slippery, unclean or badly surfaced floors
- ensure all areas are well lit
- check for adequate ventilation
- ensure that chemicals, including cleaning substances, are stored, handled and disposed of properly
- put in place safe procedures for handling flammable substances
- check for faulty or inappropriate electrical equipment
- manage waste responsibly
- ensure ladders and scaffolding are safe
- improve poorly designed workstations
- check for exposure to vibration from tools, equipment or processes
- implement sufficient rest breaks
- provide appropriate and well-maintained protective wear
- provide appropriate training
- ensure vehicle loading and unloading operations are carried out safely
- check for exposure to excessive work pressure
