Conduct a health and safety risk assessment of a workplace*

Overview

This Standard is for people carrying out risk assessments in the workplace. This could be an employer, line manager, supervisor, safety representative or employee.

This Standard is about the competence needed to identify hazards, evaluate the risks and make recommendations to control the risk and to review the results.

Performance Criteria

You must be able to:

  1. clearly define why and where the risk assessment will be carried out
  2. recognise your own limitations and seek expert advice and guidance on operational controls when appropriate
  3. select appropriate methods for identifying hazards and evaluating risks
  4. prioritise those areas at work where hazards with a potential for serious harm to health are most likely to occur
  5. identify hazards which have the potential to cause harm and/or loss
  6. review internal and external standards and guidelines
  7. confirm that appropriate precautions are in place
  8. assess the level of risk and record significant findings
  9. consider and prioritise where further controls are required
  10. present the results and reasonably practicable recommendations of the risk assessment to the responsible people
  11. review and revise the risk assessment as appropriate
  12. maintain suitable and sufficient records
  13. take suitable action to control or remove imminent risk

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. relevant legal requirements and standards
  2. the workplace hazards which are most likely to cause harm or loss
  3. the importance of remaining alert to the presence of hazards in the workplace
  4. methods of identifying hazards and risk
  5. the purpose, legal implications and importance of carrying out risk assessments
  6. techniques for carrying out a risk assessment
  7. the particular health and safety risks which may affect your own job role and the precautions to be taken
  8. the resources required for a risk assessment to take place
  9. information sources for risk assessments (e.g. HSE publications)
  10. what to do with the results of the risk assessment
  11. the importance of dealing with, or promptly reporting relevant hazards and risks
  12. your own limitations, job responsibilities and capabilities
  13. where to find expert advice and guidance
  14. the work areas and people for whom you are carrying out the assessment
  15. work activities of the people in the workplace where you are carrying out the risk assessment
  16. effective communication methods
  17. how to identify suitable control measures

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