Element 3 Risk Assessment

Question 1

Legal framework for Risk Assessment

Answer 1

Contained in Regs 3,4,5 of MHSWR 1999
Reg 3 - employer required to make assessment of H and S risks to employees and others
Reg 4 - Principles of Prevention
Reg 5 - H and S Arrangements should be apt for risks and size of organisation.

Question 2

Suitable and Sufficient RA. HSE suggest an RA should do the following:

Answer 2

Id the risks
Proportionate to the risks
Consider all affected
Demonstrate reasonable steps taken to id hazards e.g. research legislation, guidance, manuals etc
Use relevant good practice from within industry
Apt to work and timebound
Take account of non-routine activities e.g. maintenance
Be systematic by grouping hazards, dividing geographically or operation by operation.
Take account of how work is organised
Risk to public

Question 3

Risk Assessment - HSE definition

Answer 3

Careful examination of what in the workplace could cause harm to people, so a decision can be made as to whether precautions taken are satisfactory or more could be done.

Question 4

Hazard

Answer 4

Anything that may cause e.g. chemical, electricity

Question 5

Harm

Answer 5

Ill health, injury, damage to property, production losses etc

Question 6

Risk

Answer 6

The chance of harm being caused by a hazard

Question 7

Sensible Risk Management should:

Answer 7

Ensure workers and public are protected
Provide overall benefit to society
Enable innovation and learning, not stifle it
Ensure those who create risks must manage them
Ensure individuals must exercide responsibility

Question 8

Competent Risk Assessors require :

Answer 8

Experience and training in hazard id and carrying out risk assessments
Knowledge of what's being assessed
Technical knowledge of equipment
Good communication and written skills
Ability to interpret legislation
Good attitude
Understanding of best practice in area
Awareness of own limitations
Willingness to get expert help

Question 9

The RA Process - 5 steps

Answer 9

1. Identify the hazards
2. Decide who might be harmed and how
3. Evaluate risks and decide on precautions
4. Record findings and implement them
5. Review the RA and update if necessary

Question 10

1. Identify Hazards

Answer 10

May arise from acts (manual handling), situations (working at height) or sources of energy (radiation, moving parts). May also be categorised as:
Mechanical - moving parts/vehicles
Physical - noise, vibration, electricity
Biological - legionella
Chemical - corrosive or toxic
Ergonomic - repetitive work, poor posture
Psychosocial - pressure of work or shift work

Question 11

2. Decide who might be harmed and how

Answer 11

consider special groups e.g. young workers or ones not normally in an area e.g. contractors, cleaners.
Consider the public
Shared workplace the activities of neighbouring employer must be considered

Question 12

3. Evaluate risks

Answer 12

Use a risk matrix - likelihood of harm against seriuosness of consequences
Resultant rating can be used to determine priorities for action

Question 13

3. Decide on precautions

Answer 13

Review existing controls against recognised good practice
ERICSP
Eliminate
Reduce e.g. less hazardous chemical
Isolate e.g. guarding
Controls e.g. engineering or management controls
SSoW e.g. method statements, PTWs etc
PPE

Question 14

4. Record findings and implement them

Answer 14

Priorities generally determined by risk rating. Highest risk should be highest priority. Other factors to consider:
Breach of legislation
Reasonable practicability
Exposure of vulnerable people
Affecting the pubic?

Question 15

5. Review the RA and update if necessary

Answer 15

New Tech
An accident (lessons learnt)
Problems reported by workforce