Our first presentation for SAFEtember 2020 focusses on risk assessment. This instalment, which was presented by Neil Farmer, aims to:
· Provide better understanding of the process of risk assessment
· To promote understanding of, and engagement with, mission statements and risk assessments
· Reassure employees that they have the skills to assess risk
· Illustrate how these skills promote safety at home as well as in the workplace
Risk assessment is something that we adopt in our everyday lives, usually without even knowing. Something like crossing a road – we judge how busy the traffic is travelling in either direction, how far away we are from a crossing, before deciding when and how to cross. In simple terms, this is risk assessment.
In the workplace, we have legal duties when it comes to risk assessment. As per the Health and Safety at Work Act, employers must ensure the health, safety and welfare of all employees so long as it is reasonably practical. This does not mean that all risks are eliminated – it means that we have to assess the risks that remain and respond accordingly.
Risk assessment forms and mission statements are often produced by competent people sat behind a desk, who consider generic hazards associated with particular projects. For those who are out working out on the ground, you may come across potential risks that would not have previously been considered, so it is important to identify these and evaluate how to approach them.
While it’s not reasonable or practical to remove every risk we can encounter, it is our collective duty to make sure we properly assess and address the risks that we could face to ensure the health and safety of both you and your colleagues, so that we can all go home safe.
