A Complete Guide To Workplace Risk Assessments

Risk assessments not only ensure safer environments, but ultimately, they can save lives. 

As an employer, you have a legal responsibility to protect your workers from harm in the workplace and provide them with key health and safety training. Not only does this help to protect the wellbeing of your workers, it also safeguards you against the costly risk of negligence or injury. 

At FRS Health & Safety Consultancy, we have a number of training options available to you and your team. We’ve created this complete guide to risk assessments to help you stay safe. If you’ve already got a risk assessment in place, take a look at our top tips on how to stay safe on site!

What’s a risk assessment and why is it so important that you have one? 

A risk assessment is a legal document that is required from an employer according to British health and safety law; particularly the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. The key requirement for employers is to carry out a risk assessment at the workplace. Employers with five or more employees need to record the significant findings of the risk assessment, in fact, the legislation states: 

“Where the employer employs five or more employees, he shall record—

(a) the significant findings of the assessment; and

(b) any group of his employees identified by it as being especially at risk.”

Risk assessments are important because they work to better the work environment and reduce the risk of injury or even death. They raise awareness of potential hazards and help identify solutions to safely manage or minimise these issues.

How do you produce risk assessments?  

There are different types of risk assessments and the one you require will completely depend on the type of work environment you operate. Some examples of common risk assessments are fire risk assessments, manual handling assessments and display screen equipment assessments (DSE).  Naturally, major hazard industries require more detailed assessments and processes for managing risks.

As the employer it is your responsibility to carry out a risk assessment or organise the appointment of someone who has the required skills to do so. Even if this task has to be delegated to someone with further experience or relevant training, it is still considered the responsibility of the employer to ensure it is completed effectively. 

Official guidance recommends a 5-step guide to carrying out risk assessments. In short, the checklist is comprised of 5 key sections: 

1. Identifying potential hazards
2. Identifying who might be harmed by those hazards
3. Evaluating risk and establishing suitable precautions
4. Implementing controls and recording your findings
5. Reviewing your assessment and re-assessing if necessary

Basic risk assessment forms can be found online to aid documentation and relevant training is available for anyone who wishes to learn how to carry out effective risk assessments and learn more about the implementation of health and safety in the workplace. At FRS, we provide plenty of training opportunities for anyone who wants to develop their understanding of risk assessments. 

What makes a good risk assessment?

A good risk assessment should be straightforward and easy to understand. It only needs to be complicated if it is for a seriously hazardous industry or environment.  

It should include information that covers:

• Arrangements for implementing the health and safety measures identified as necessary by the risk assessment;  
• Appointment of competent people (often the employer, a colleague, person with relevant experience or outsourced help) to help them to implement the arrangements;  
• The emergency procedures;  
• Clear information and training specifications for employees; 
• How this works with other employers sharing the same workplace.

How Can We Help? 

As health and safety experts and a leading provider of risk assessments, we can provide you with information and guidance to ensure your compliance.

We run an Introduction to Risk Assessment training course so employers (and employees) can develop their understanding of important terms, legislation and practical advice for helping with conducting risk assessments. 

At FRS Health & Safety Consultancy, we act as your company’s external health and safety department, offering advice, training and consultancy to protect you, your employees and your business. Our safety consultancy services include: 

• Risk and  safety assessments & policies 
• Evacuation plans
• Inspections
• Equipment installation & maintenance
• Online training courses 

As experienced and accredited health and safety experts, we offer bespoke, in-person practical health and safety training for small and large businesses around Bristol, Bath and the South West. 

Want to know more about risk assessments? Get in touch with our experienced team today on 01179 866397 or info@frsafetysolutions.co.uk.