Why are risk assessments important?

 

So, you have landed here wondering why Risk assessments are important but before you read on it is important to know first of all…

A risk assessment is a legal requirement!

For example in the UK it is written in law and sits within the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999

The law states that a risk assessment must be 'suitable and sufficient' and it should show that a detailed and through check of the process or task has been carried out and documented.

As noted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) the minimum you must do is:

  • identify what could cause injury or illness in your business (hazards)

  • decide how likely it is that someone could be harmed and how seriously (the risk)

  • take action to eliminate the hazard, or if this isn't possible, control the risk

Assessing risk via formal risk assessments is just one part of the overall process used to control risks in your workplace.

Risk assessments apply to all companies and self-employed people are required to show that you have considered health and safety risks in the workplace.

Risk assessments are carried out to formally identify hazards or risks involved to employees and other when carrying out a task.

This helps the employer put into place adequate measures to protect people form harm.

But the importance of risk assessments goes beyond the fact they’re a legal requirement. They shouldn’t occur simply to achieve compliance!


Tip - Companies with five or more employees are legally obliged to record the findings of risk assessments.


So, why are risk assessments important in the workplace?

Here are some of the reasons why companies, along with contractors, need to assess the various hazards and risks in order to put effective control measures in place via risk assessments:

  • Protect people from potential harm and ill-health

  • Help reduce and eliminate hazards to create a much safer working environment for all.

  • Identify and analyze the level of risk and likelihood of incidents occurring

  • Determine effective control measures that can be implemented and monitored.

  • Risk assessments form a crucial part to effective health and safety policies.


Tip - Check out our posts on the 2 types of risk assessment and the 5 steps to completing a risk assessment at work for beginners


Risk assessment findings should also be communicated across all levels of the company.

By doing this you can help ensure a safe working culture so that all staff are fully versed to ensure your working environment is a safe place.

Protecting staff and visitors from harm should be at the forefront of everyone’s mindset.

To end this post here a few common workplace hazards that could cause injuries or ill-health.

  • Using work equipment or machinery

  • Exposure to hazardous chemicals

  • Fire hazards such as waste storage

  • Wet floors from cleaning

  • Lack of staff adequate health and safety training in how to lift or carry objects


Conclusion

An effective risk assessment can drastically reduce the likelihood of work-related accidents. They raise awareness about hazards and the risks they pose and help employers identify options to minimise health and safety risks.

By simply involving staff with a simple survey asking them to identify any hazards they are aware of you can quickly get on top of risk assessments and start promoting a safe working culture today.

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Health and SafetyOllie Limpkin