2.2 What Is a Risk Assessment?

A risk assessment is a careful look at anything in your workplace that could cause injury or ill health. It is a way of making sure that the most serious risks are controlled by measures that are worth their cost. It lets you put the risks in order and act on the worst first. This module deals with assessing risk. Module 3 deals with controlling it.

You decide who might be harmed, how likely it is that something will go wrong and how serious the result could be. Once you know how big each risk is, you can work on removing it or at least controlling it.

• You do not have to do every assessment yourself. If you are not confident, ask someone who is trained and competent in what is being assessed. You remain responsible for making sure that it is done properly.
• Involve other people, especially the person whose job you are assessing. They may notice things that are not obvious to you, and the process makes them think about what could go wrong.

What a risk assessment does for you

• It tells you whether you are doing enough to protect your people and others from harm. For example, is there enough training, information, personal protective equipment and health surveillance?
• It helps you meet the law. Most countries' health and safety or labour laws require employers to assess risks at work, and failure can lead to prosecution and fines.
• It improves the business. Understanding the risks brings possible savings, lower insurance premiums and a better reputation.

Three short case studies

• A nurse with back problems. A nurse with a long history of back complaints had to do heavy manual handling of patients. She was not sent to occupational health to check her fitness. The work made her injuries worse, she needed surgery and retired because of ill health. She was awarded compensation. The judgment pointed to the employer's failure to carry out a manual handling risk assessment.
• A kitchen manufacturer. The owner wanted to involve his workforce in every part of the business. Weekly meetings now cover everything, including risks. He said that talking about risk had made the team more aware of hazards and that there had been no injury in 16 months.
• A travel services company. The company assessed the risks in its shrink-wrapping work. It reduced manual handling injuries, got staff involved and improved its processes. It is now aiming for a quality certificate and for bigger customers, who expect proof that suppliers take safety seriously.

A study aid, not published or endorsed by IOSH or OSHA. Laws and limits differ between countries.