We know from module 1 that there are legal reasons to assess risks.

The principle legislation in the UK for managing risks is found in the Health an
d Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
Risk assessment is a key part of the planning and implementation phase
Risk is a factor of the Likelihood of the event happening and the potential Cons
equence if it did happen and so by considering both these factors we can use our
judgement to estimate the size of the risk.
Policy
Organising
Planning
Implementing
Measuring Performance
Audit
Review and Continual Improvement
Module 5 Identifying Hazards >> Getting In and Out
To prevent harm whilst going in and out of the building you should:
Remove all obstructions and keep aisles clear at all times
Keep exits clear at all times (internal and external)
Ensure segregation of vehicles and pedestrians
Provide direction signs as required
Module 5 Identifying Hazards >> Working with Computers
To prevent harm from working with computers you should:
Ensure staff are sitting with a correct posture
Make sure staff take frequent breaks
Ensure a good design of workstations
Use of adjustable chairs
Provision of information and training
Module 5 Identifying Hazards >> Temperature and Lighting
To prevent harm from poor lighting and temperature standards you should:
Carry out an initial check by measuring levels and asking staff for thei
r opinions
Provide adequate lighting, heating and ventilation to meet the required
standards
Provide regular workplace monitoring
Module 5 Identifying Hazards >> Slips and Trips
To prevent harm from slips and trips you should:
Assess the risks
Install anti-slip flooring where possible
Clean up any spillages immediately
Provide warning signs for wet floors
Maintain good housekeeping standards
Ensure staff use appropriate footwear
Module 5 Identifying Hazards >> Working at Heights
To prevent harm from working at height you should consider the hierarchy of cont
rols for working at height as follows:
Prevent work at height where this is a risk of injury; or
Reduce the risk of falling from height; or
Reduce the consequences of a fall
Module 5 Identifying Hazards >> Violence and Bullying
To prevent harm from Violence and Bullying you should:
Assess the risks and try to identify the causes of violence and bullying
inside and outside of the workplace
Introduce safe systems of work and prevention strategies
Provide regular supervision and support
Introduce a clear and transparent policy on bullying and violence in the
workplace
Module 5 Identifying Hazards >> Noise and Vibration
To prevent harm from Noise and Vibration you should:
Reduce the noise and vibration levels at source
Reduce the amount of exposure time
Provide training and instructions
Use personal protective equipment (PPE)
Limit your exposures when away from the workplace
Module 5 Identifying Hazards >> Stress
o prevent harm from stress you should:
Assess the risks
Allow some degree of control over how the work is done
Ensure demands are not too great
Provide support as required
Module 5 Identifying Hazards >> Chemicals and Harmful Substances
To prevent harm from hazardous substances you should:
Try to substitute them for something safer
Store them correctly
Ensure training in safe use, handling and storage
Ensure you follow safe working procedures
Enforce the use of PPE where required.
Module 5 Identifying Hazards >> Manual Handling
To prevent harm from manual handling you should:
Avoid manual handling if possible
Use mechanical assistance
Assess and control risks considering the following risk factors:
1. Task
2. Individual
3. Load
4. Environment
Module 5 Identifying Hazards >> Fire
To control fire risks:
Keep fuel and ignition sources apart
Don't overload electrical sockets
Maintain good housekeeping standards
Don't block escape routes
Ensure all staff know what to do in the event of a fire
Module 5 Identifying Hazards >> Electricity
To prevent harm from electricity you should:
Provide employees with information
Instruction, training and supervision
Regularly check electrical equipment
Use equipment properly
Don't use damaged equipment
Don't overload electrical sockets
Module 5 Identifying Hazards >> Vehicles in the Workplace
To control transport risks:
Ensure drivers are competent & experienced
Make sure pedestrians are fully aware of the relevant safety rules
Introduce safe systems of work
Install physical barriers
Create marked walkways
Make sure loads are properly secured.
Note: Physical separation is better than marked walkways!
Module 5 Identifying Hazards >> Common Hazards
In the following pages we'll show you some "common hazards" found in the workpla
ce and ask you to consider some practical control measures that should be in pla
ce to reduce the risks to your staff
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Module 6 Accidents and Incidents >> Incidents and Accidents
Accidents and Incidents should be investigated to find out the causes and to pre
vent the event from happening again.
Root causes
The root cause of the accident is often considered to be related to a failure by
management to plan, organise and control things. Apathy, ignorance of requireme
nts and lack of funding are typical excuses for failing to manage the underlying
causes. Taking action on root causes and underlying causes is the most effectiv
e way of preventing accidents, incidents and cases of ill health.
The investigation will involve:
Information gathering
Analysis
Reviewing existing control measures
Action planning
Plans and procedures for the investigation of accidents must be in place before
accidents happen.
The findings of the investigation must be communicated appropriately throughout
the organisation.
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Module 7 Measuring Performance >> How do you know?
Module 7 Measuring Performance >> Reactive Monitoring
Injury Accidents - Accident frequency and incidence rates are often calculated o
ver a period of time and can be used to identify trends and to benchmark against
national standards or internal performance.
Near misses - You will remember that these are an important consideration and sh
ould form part of the monitoring plan.
Sickness absence and cases of ill health data will provide information that can
be used to try and identify trends and causes of occupational ill health.
Property and equipment damage and dangerous occurrences - This data will provide
evidence of failure of the management system and can be used to identify weakne
ss in specific areas of the business that show potential for serious harm.
Enforcement actions and compensation claims this data will help you understand w
here significant non-compliances are found with laws and national standards and
will enable improvements to be made where required.
Let's assume you had 2 reportable injuries last year and you employed 50 staff d
uring that time.
Module 7 Measuring Performance >> Benchmarking
2 / 50 = 0.04 x 100,000 = 4,000 IIR
Trading with a company with a bad health and safety performance record may be co
nsidered damaging to your reputation.
Your customers may not buy your products or services if it was known that they a
re trading with an uncaring or reckless organisation.
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All organisations generate waste but there are measures we can take to reduce th
e impact on the environment.
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You can find out more about real pollution incidents by visiting the Environmen
t Agency website.
Go to http://www.environment- agency.gov.uk
Plan: This element is to do with setting the policy which would include high lev
el objectives, planning and organising.\
Do: This element is to do with developing and implementing arrangements and proc
edures and establishing detailed targets.
Check: This element is to do with measuring performance against the set targets
and objectives.
Act: This element is to do with reviewing your performance and status and contin
uous improvement.