Risk assessments are a crucial part of daily operations in the workplace. They help workers identify hazards, prevent accidents and make sure machinery is working correctly. The risk assessment process also helps to ensure that health and safety are front of mind and shows employees that management takes their safety seriously.

But what is the correct procedure for a risk assessment? What steps need to be taken to ensure they’re carried out correctly? And how can UniPrint’s safety products help keep everyone in the workplace safe? Here’s everything you need to know.

What Is a Risk Assessment?

A risk assessment is a systemic process of identifying hazards, evaluating the likelihood of them developing and the severity of them causing an accident. They aim to determine which measures should be implemented in order to control or eliminate the risk. The risk assessment process also specifies who should isolate the hazard and whether it needs to be prioritised or not. 

It’s a key part of a risk analysis, which aims to minimise the risk to life and identify risks that could be detrimental to the business.

Why Is The Risk Assessment Process Important?

Apart from risk assessments being a legal requirement in many workspaces, they’re also a crucial part of keeping everyone safe. They help to determine the personal protective equipment that workers need, unique checks that should be done in certain circumstances and the best equipment for the job. 

Carrying out risk assessments also helps to develop best practices as teams and companies change. It opens up the conversation about health and safety which helps to make it a priority for everyone involved. 

Different Types of Risk Assessments

Depending on the industry, several risk assessments need to be carried out at regular intervals.

• Fire Risk Assessments. These need to be carried out in every workplace, ensuring that hazards are identified, evacuation routes are implemented and emergency protocols are known by all.

• Manual Tasks Risk Assessments. These evaluate the potential risks involved with lifting, pulling and manoeuvring equipment and machinery. This type of risk assessment is particularly important in identifying hazards in construction. 

• Machinery Risk Assessments. Vehicles and machinery should be regularly checked to ensure they’re working correctly and there are no risks present. Pre-start checklists are an excellent way to assess vehicles and equipment.  

• Hazardous Substances Risk Assessments. This includes ensuring workers are qualified to handle them and that all substances are stored correctly.

These are only a few of the most common risk assessments in different industries.

The Risk Assessment Process: Steps to Take

Step 1. Identify Hazards

The first step in any risk assessment process is to identify potential hazards through observation, looking through logged accidents, checking manufacturers’ guidelines and communicating with other workers. Take 5 safety books are an excellent way to identify and log hazards quickly. 

Some things to think about when identifying hazards are:

• Foot flow

• State of premises 

• Chemicals and substances (and how they’re stored and used)

• Non-routine operations (such as maintenance)

• Risk of trips, slips and falls

• Vulnerable workers (such as younger workers, pregnant women, workers speaking different languages and those with disabilities)

Step 2. Assess the Risks

Once the hazard has been identified, you need to decide how likely it is that someone could be harmed by it. You also need to assess the severity of any potential accident. A key element in assessing the risk is identifying who/what might be harmed by it and how. You should consider whether there’s a higher risk to certain groups, such as contractors, lone workers, civilians, young people or new employees. It’s also important to consider potential harm to the environment.

Step 3. Evaluate and Control The Risk

The next step in the risk assessment process is controlling the hazard so that it doesn’t end up causing an accident. If, in the previous step, you’ve identified that the potential for an accident is high, then you need to take immediate action to secure the area and alert others to it. A customised safety book is the best way for workers to have essential numbers and protocols at hand.

If you’ve deemed the hazard to be reasonable – meaning the risk is fairly low but needs to be addressed – there will be other company protocols to follow.

Some things and controls to consider are:

• Can you eliminate the hazard altogether?

• In what ways can the risks be minimised?

• Can the process, materials or machinery be replaced with another, risk-free alternative?

• Is there a way to reduce exposure to the hazard?

• Would providing personal protective equipment help?

   

Step 4. Document Your Findings

Documenting hazards, risks and how they have been controlled is an essential part of the risk assessment process. Hazard report books are the perfect way for workers to record their findings and keep track of risks and control measures already in place. 

Documenting findings should include:

• The hazards (and that a proper check of the workplace has been conducted)

• An outline of the evaluations, including who could have been affected

• How the hazard was controlled or dealt with

• Who carried out the assessment and when

Step 5. Review Assessment and Update if Necessary

Workplaces are busy and ever-changing spaces which means that hazards and their severity change too. When new people, machinery or processes are introduced the likelihood of new hazards increases. It’s important to carry out follow-up assessments to check that the controls you have put in place are still working and the best practice. If you think conditions have changed significantly, then it’s time to carry out a new risk assessment. 

Printed Safety Products to Help with The Risk Assessment Process

At UniPrint, we offer industry-leading safety products that make risk assessments easy and clear to complete. Businesses can opt for customisable take 5 safety books, posters, and hazard report cards which include company colours, meeting points, unique procedures and contact information for personnel. They can also be printed on stone paper and with a waterproof cover so they can be used in wet conditions. If you’d like to know how printed safety products can help your company with risk assessments and keeping everyone safe, get in touch with the team at UniPrint.