This section focuses on evaluating workplace risks and determining if existing safety measures are adequate or if further action is required. The goal is to minimize potential harm from identified hazards. Even with precautions in place, some level of risk may persist, requiring a judgment on whether the remaining risk is high, medium, or low.
Begin by confirming compliance with all applicable legal requirements, such as those concerning access to dangerous machinery. Adherence to generally accepted industry standards is also crucial. However, go beyond these baseline measures and consider what is reasonably practicable to ensure workplace safety. The ultimate objective is to reduce all risks to a minimal level by implementing necessary precautions.
If further action is needed, create a prioritized action list, focusing on risks categorized as high and those with the potential to affect a large number of people.
When taking action, consider the following:
1. Can the hazard be eliminated entirely?
2. If elimination is not possible, how can the risks be controlled to minimize the likelihood of harm?
To control risks, implement the following principles in the order presented, whenever feasible:
1. Opt for a less risky alternative.
2. Prevent access to the hazard through measures like installing safety guards.
3. Organize work processes to minimize exposure to the hazard.
4. Provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).
5. Ensure adequate welfare facilities, such as washing stations for decontamination, and readily available first aid.
Improving health and safety doesn’t always require significant investment. Simple measures like installing a mirror at a blind corner to prevent vehicle accidents or applying non-slip material to slippery steps can be highly effective in mitigating risks. The cost of neglecting these precautions can be far greater in the event of an accident.
For work that varies or involves multiple sites, identify reasonably foreseeable hazards and assess the associated risks. Upon arrival at a new site, gather information from others present and take necessary actions to address any additional hazards identified.
In shared workplaces, communicate potential risks from your work to other employers and self-employed individuals, along with the precautions being taken. Similarly, be aware of risks posed to your workforce by others in the shared workspace.
If you have already assessed certain risks, such as those related to hazardous chemicals under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH), these can be considered checked, and you can proceed to address other areas.
For further information on legal requirements and standards, consult HSE publications such as “An Introduction to Health and Safety,” “Essentials of Health and Safety,” and “Management of Health and Safety at Work: Approval Code of Practice.”
This concludes this section. Steps 4 and 5 will be covered in Part 3.