Health and Safety

Executive

Example risk assessment for a convenience store/newsagent

Setting the scene How was the risk assessment done? ■■ looked at the accident book, to understand what
previous problems there have been; and
The shop manager carried out the risk assessment The manager followed the guidance in Five steps to risk ■■ decided that when the risk assessment was complete,
in the convenience store, which is located on a assessment (www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg163.pdf). the manager would go over the findings with the
busy high street and has a weekly turnover of about pregnant employee, to see if there were any particular
£15 000. It sells newspapers and magazines (but 1 To identify the hazards, the manager: risks to her that needed to be removed, reduced or
does not do deliveries), alcohol, tobacco, greetings controlled.
cards, household essentials and tinned, frozen and ■■ looked at HSE’s website, to learn where hazards can
other pre-packed foods. Twelve staff are employed, occur, including the pages for small businesses, the 2 The manager wrote down who could be harmed by the
most of them part-time, working a variety of work-related violence case study for shop workers and hazards and how.
morning, afternoon and evening shifts. One member those for new and expectant mothers;
of staff is four months pregnant. ■■ walked around the shop, the stockroom and all other 3 For each hazard, the manager wrote down what
areas, noting what might pose a risk and taking HSE’s controls, if any, were in place to manage these hazards.
At the rear of the shop there is a staff toilet and guidance into consideration. Occasional activities, such These controls were then compared to the good
bathroom, staff rest room, where drinks etc can as changing promotional displays or changing light practice guidance on HSE’s website. Where existing
be made, and a stockroom. The store is open from bulbs, were also taken into account; controls were not considered good enough, the
7.00 am to 10.00 pm, seven days a week. ■■ talked to staff to learn from their knowledge and manager wrote down what else needed to be done to
experience, and listen to their concerns and opinions control the risk.
about health and safety issues in the shop;
4 The manager discussed the findings with staff and
displayed the risk assessment in the staffroom. The
Important reminder manager outlined when the actions needed to be
done, and who would do them, and decided to tick the
This example risk assessment shows the kind of approach a small business might take. It can be used as a actions off as each one was completed. 
guide to think through some of the hazards in your business and the steps you need to take to control the risks.
Please note that it is not a generic risk assessment that you can just put your company name on and adopt 5 The manager decided to review and update the
wholesale without any thought. This would not satisfy the law – and would not be effective in protecting people. risk assessment every year, or straightaway if major
changes in the workplace happened.
Every business is different – you need to think through the hazards and controls required in your business for
yourself.

Example risk assessment: Convenience store/newsagent 1 of 4 pages

 Health and Safety
Executive

Company name: Smith’s Convenience Store Date of risk assessment: 1/7/07

What are the hazards? Who might be harmed What are you already doing? What further action is necessary? Action by Action by Done
and how? who? when?

Manual handling
Examples: Deliveries,
stacking shelves.
Staff may suffer strains ■■ All staff are trained how to lift properly. ■■ Remind staff that deliveries (except for Manager 7/7/07 6/7/07
or bruising injuries, to ■■ High shelves are for light goods only. stock that can be very easily carried) should and staff
their back or elsewhere, ■■ Trolley available for moving stock such as newspaper deliveries, always be moved using the trolley.
from handling heavy/ and staff trained how to use it safely.
bulky objects. ■■ Stairs and corridors kept clear. ■■ Regular checks to make sure that high Manager 7/7/07 6/7/07
■■ Newspaper returns bundles kept to manageable sizes. shelves are not used to store heavy stock.

Slips, trips and falls
Examples:
Doorways (rain),
spillages, stock on floor,
uneven surfaces.
Staff and customers ■■ Staff ‘clean as they go’. ■■ Staff to keep an eye on the area around All staff 20/7/07 19/7/07
may suffer sprains, ■■ Wet floor warning signs always used. the freezer and immediately clear away any
fractures or bruising if ■■ Shop floor is only mopped when shop is closed. meltwater.
they trip over objects, ■■ Door mats at entrance in wet weather.
such as stock, or slip on ■■ Floor in good condition. ■■ Remind staff stocking shelves not to leave Manager 20/7/07 19/7/07
spillages and fall. ■■ Good lighting in all areas. boxes of stock in aisles, if suddenly called to
■■ Staff wear sensible shoes. help on the till.

Violence and Staff may suffer ■■ Staff trained not to resist a robbery. ■■ Contact local police station to get advice on Manager 20/7/07 18/7/07
threatening behaviour assaults, threats and ■■ CCTV installed and clearly visible. what else can be done, eg safe procedures
abuse from members of ■■ Usually always two staff on duty. for opening up and closing.
Examples: the public. ■■ Panic alarm located out of sight of customers near the till.
Verbal abuse, ■■ Staff provide good, polite service and are told not to confront
shoplifting. customers. ■■ Manager to talk to staff about coping with Manager 20/7/07 All staff
■■ Staff report incidents of abuse etc and manager discusses with disputes, eg shoplifting and age-restricted spoken to by
them (on a no-blame basis!). sales. 17/7/07

Example risk assessment: Convenience store/newsagent 2 of 4 pages

 Health and Safety
Executive

What are the hazards? Who might be harmed What are you already doing? What further action is necessary? Action by Action by Done
and how? who? when?

Working at height, Falls from any height ■■ Strong stepladder, in good condition, provided. ■■ Remind staff to always use the stepladder Manager 20/7/07 All staff
changing light bulbs can cause bruising and ■■ Staff shown by the manager how to use stepladder safely, eg when working at height and not to stand on spoken to by
and promo displays fractures. not to overreach, not to work on uneven floor etc. chairs. 17/7/07
■■ Staff wear sensible shoes.
■■ Manager to regularly check the condition of Manager 20/7/07 All staff
the stepladder. spoken to by
17/7/07

Deliveries Staff or members of the ■■ Most deliveries tend to arrive either very early, eg papers, or ■■ Monitor deliveries to ensure they continue to All staff 20/7/07 2/7/07
public could be injured between 9.30 am and 3.30 pm, when road is less busy. arrive at less busy times.
Example: by being struck by a ■■ Trips to cash and carry not made at busy times.
Deliveries, visits to cash vehicle.
and carry.

Contact with bleach Staff doing cleaning ■■ Mops, brushes and strong rubber gloves are provided and used. ■■ Replace ‘irritant’ chemicals with milder Manager 20/7/07 20/7/07
and other cleaning risk skin irritation or ■■ Staff shown how to use cleaning products safely, eg follow alternatives, where possible.
chemicals eye damage from direct instructions on the label, dilute properly and never transfer to an
contact with cleaning unmarked container. ■■ Staff reminded to check for dry, red or itchy Manager 20/7/07 20/7/07
chemicals. Vapour skin on their hands.
may cause breathing
problems. ■■ Staff reminded to wash gloves before taking Manager 20/7/07 20/7/07
them off carefully and storing in a clean
place.

Electrical Staff could get electrical ■■ Staff trained to spot and report to manager any defective plugs, ■■ Manager to do visual check of plugs, Manager 20/7/07 First check
shocks or burns discoloured sockets, damaged cable and on/off switches, and to sockets, cables and on/off switches every and all staff done on
Examples: from faulty electrics, take any defective equipment out of use. three months. 18/7/07
Faulty building wiring, including portable ■■ Staff know where the fuse box is and how to safely turn the (next due
faulty electrical electrical equipment – electricity off in an emergency. 18/10/07)
appliances. heaters, fans etc. ■■ Clear access to the fuse box.
■■ Qualified electrician does safety check of building electrics every
five years.

Example risk assessment: Convenience store/newsagent 3 of 4 pages

 Health and Safety
Executive

What are the hazards? Who might be harmed What are you already doing? What further action is necessary? Action by Action by Done
and how? who? when?

Fire If trapped, staff could ■■ Fire risk assessment done, see www.communities.gov.uk/fire ■■ Remind staff to keep backyard gate locked Manager 20/7/07 20/7/07
suffer from smoke and necessary action taken. out of hours to stop intruders getting in.
Examples: inhalation/burns.
Smoking, faulty
electrics, arson.

Cold temperatures, Staff may suffer ■■ Freezer gloves provided for use when restocking freezer. ■■ Replace gloves when they are showing Manager 7/7/07 5/7/07
freezer work discomfort when signs of wear and tear.
restocking freezer.

Assessment review date: 1/7/08

Example risk assessment: Convenience store/newsagent 4 of 4 pages

Published by the Health and Safety Executive 10/08