What Is a Risk Assessment?

Health & Safety Risk Assessments

A risk assessment is a technique for identifying potential hazards, or risks, as well as actions to reduce or remove those risks. For most businesses, they are legally necessary for Health & Safety & Fire Protection, & most will also require to carryover out an assessment for Security as well. In case you have five or more employees, you will even be necessary to formally record your Risk Assessments.

Health & Safety is enforced by the Health & Safety Executive, & there is extensive legislation both for general Health & Safety & specific industries & environments. The legislation covers everything from lifting & handling to dangerous chemicals & machinery.

Health & Safety assessments are necessary for very all businesses, & cover all aspects of that business, both on & off business premises.

Fire Risk Assessments

Fire Risk Assessments are enforced by the local Fire & Rescue Service, who can issue enforcement notices & court-ordered fines if businesses do not comply. The main legislation is The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, which outlines the duties of all businesses to carryover our regular Fire Risk Assessments & act on the findings.

Security Assessments

While not a legal requirements, most businesses will need to conduct a security assessment to protect both staff & property. This will look for potentially vulnerable points, access control & alarm systems. Plenty of insurers will insist on an assessment by a NSI (National Safety Inspectorate) accredited company & may insist on improved locks, access controls, security systems or CCTV systems.

What is involved in a Risk Assessment?

The HSE identifies five Steps for an assessment:

one. Identify the hazards

Look at areas or tasks where there is a feasible hazard.

Businesses are responsible to employees - both on- & offsite - as well as customers & members of the public who may be affected by your activities. Some groups of workers, such as young workers or expectant mothers have additional protection.

two. Select who might be harmed & how
Businesses are responsible to employees - both on- and offsite - as well as customers and members of the public who may be affected by your activities. Some groups of workers, such as young workers or expectant mothers have additional protection.

three. Assess the risks and settle on precaution

four. Record your findings and implement them

Look at the likelihood and severity of the risk, and take steps to reduce or eliminate it. This might be as simple as a warning sign, or could require changes to working practices

You must be able to show that a check was made, what hazards were identified, the solutions suggested and that the solution was implemented.

five. Review your assessment and update if necessary

Risks are always changing, so your assessment must be updated to reflect that. Make definite you plan to regularly review your assessments and update it and take new steps as necessary.

Who Can Complete a Risk Assessment?

Risk assessments can be carried out by someone within your company with sufficient experience, but you may require to think about training them in proper procedures as well as any specific laws regarding your type of business. You can download sample forms which will help you to create that matches your requirements

Most assessments require no formal qualification, only that they are a 'competent person' to carryover it out. A competent person is anyone who has knowledge of the work involved, understands both the principles of risk assessments and stopping risks, and understands the current legislation sufficiently to comply with the law.

Detect Fire & Security is a Hampshire based company offering Fire Risk Assessments and Security Assessments for businesses across the South of England. Working with companies from small retailers to giant University campuses, they cover the whole range of fire and security systems planning, installation and maintenance.

Plenty of businesses pick to contract out risk assessments for Health & Safety, Fire and Security to companies that specialise in these areas. Most of these companies won't only complete the assessment, but will help you create a plan of action to reduce the risks identified.