WO toolkit 2012 complete.pdf - GMB

SECTION 5.9
9. What is a risk assessment and who should carry it out?
Regulation three of the Management of health&Safety at Work Regulations(1999)specify the need for
employers to carry out a risk assessment to assess the risks to workers and others,who may be
affected by their work or business.
Carrying out a risk assessment sounds like a complicated and bureaucratic process but it doesn’t have
to be.The function of a risk assessment is to establish a safe a system of work possible.This is achieved
by the elimination,or more likely,the reduction of any risks associated with the job being done.The first
step is to identify the hazards presented by the job.
Sometimes there is confusion in the terminology used in the risk assessment process:
• A Hazard is something with the potential to cause harm.This would include electricity,dust,
chemicals,working at heights,working alone and dealing with the public(this list is not
exhaustive).
• The Risk is the likelihood that harm will occur during the course of work activities.This is more
difficult to evaluate as it is attempting to predict what may happen.
In determining the risk there are two types of evidence to consider:
• Firstly there is empirical or real evidence such as accident records or early retirement statistics
due to injury or ill health.
• Secondly there is anecdotal evidence from reports within your industry but from other
workplaces.
There is also the need to consider the extent of the risk.This takes account of the numbers of people
who might be affected and the extent of any damage done.This is useful in prioritising which measures
need to be dealt with first in order of the seriousness of the potential outcome.
Who should carry out the risk assessment?
Risk assessments are the responsibility of the employer.The employer should appoint one or more
‘competent persons’to carry out the risk assessments.A competent person,as defined by HSE under
regulation seven of the Management of Health&Safety at Work regulations,does not necessarily have
to have qualifications to carry out this responsibility.They should have sufficient training and
knowledge,or experience and other qualities to be able to undertake the task.In addition GMB safety
representatives should be involved in the risk assessment in order to contribute their experience and
knowledge to the process.However risk assessments are not their responsibility and even with their
involvement it remains the employer’s responsibility.
REMEMBER: there may be more than one person affected by this issue.
Consider calling a meeting to advise,recruit and organise.