What Is a Risk Assessment?

Introduction

“No risk, no reward” sounds great in theory, but let’s face it, there are some risks that your company would not want to take: those that endanger your staff and the general public. In this particular case, the risk definitely isn’t worth taking and you’d be lamenting the very idea long after tragedy has struck. According to the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the total expenses incurred in Britain in 2022/23 due to workplace injuries and instances of work-related ill health equalled £21.6 billion, with the majority of this amount, roughly £14.5 billion, attributed to cases of ill health. 

What Is a Risk Assessment?

A risk assessment can be defined as a systematic process of identifying, assessing, and prioritising potential risks or hazards in the workplace. By conducting a risk assessment, businesses can proactively identify and address safety concerns, ultimately reducing the likelihood of accidents and injuries.

Risk assessments typically involve:

• Identification of hazards: Recognising potential sources of harm in the workplace.
• Risk analysis: Assessing the likelihood and severity of identified risks.
• Risk evaluation: Prioritising risks based on their potential impact.
• Risk control measures: Implementing strategies to mitigate or eliminate identified risks.

Whilst the aim of a risk assessment will vary slightly from industry to industry, the main objective is to help organisations identify and eliminate risk.

All employers have a legal obligation to conduct risk assessments under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Failure to comply with these regulations will inevitably result in severe penalties, including fines and legal action. Employers must prioritise the safety of their employees by implementing robust risk assessment processes.

Why Are Risk Assessments Important?

The importance of risk assessments goes well beyond mere compliance. At the heart of health and safety policy, you will always find risk assessments. Why? Because when conducted effectively, risk assessments can enable companies to transform hazardous sites into safer work environments. Ultimately, risk assessments and risk management have the potential to save lives –that’s no mean feat. Not all hazards are small and innocuous, some can be life threatening, and you can’t expect to retain your employees when they don’t feel safe in their place of work, feeling safe is really the bare minimum.

Who Is Responsible for Carrying Out Risk Assessments?

In the UK, when it comes to carrying out risk assessments, it’s usually a team effort. Whilst the employer is accountable for ensuring the safety of their workplace they don’t necessarily need to be the person to carry out the risk assessment. They can choose to delegate this task to a designated employee with the necessary qualifications instead. It’s worth mentioning that bringing in a fresh perspective from outside the business, like a consultant or specialist, also has its merits as they can offer an objective unbiased view. 

That being said, whoever takes on this task, one thing’s for sure: getting proper risk assessment training is key to identifying those risks. If you’re looking to skill up in this area, be sure to check out The NEBOSH HSE Award in Managing Risks and Risk Assessment at Work course. 

How Often Should You Carry Out a Risk Assessment?

So, how often you should do risk assessments really depends on a few things – like the nature of your work, how risky your activities are, and if there are any rules that tell you when to do them.

But a good rule of thumb is to do risk assessments regularly and aim to be proactive and consistent with them. Checking in often is never a bad idea and means you’re more likely to stay on top of it.

The 5 Steps of Risk Assessment

• Identifying potential risks: First things first, zero in on all the possible hazards in your workplace from tasks to equipment that could lead to accidents.

• Assessing risk severity: Next up, take a good look at how serious each risk could be and what kind of harm or damage it might cause.

• Risk matrix: Visualise the risks using a matrix to sort them based on the chances of occurrence and their impact, helping you pinpoint the high-priority risks.

• Evaluate and prioritise risks: Once you’ve sized up the risks, rank them according to severity and likelihood to figure out which ones need immediate attention.

• Implement risk mitigation: Roll up your sleeves and start devising strategies to lessen or eradicate risks – think safety measures and preventive measures.

• Review and communicate plans: Lastly, give the strategies a once-over to make sure they’re doing the trick and make sure everyone involved is in the loop.

You can find HSE Risk Assessment templates and examples here.

Common Workplace Risks 

In every industry and workplace, you’ll find a mix of health and safety concerns that need attention. These can range from making sure employees are using display screen equipment (DSE) properly to keeping everyone safe in case of a fire, and even ensuring that manual handling is done correctly to avoid injuries.

When it comes to DSE, it’s all about setting up workstations in a way that prevents discomfort and musculoskeletal issues for those spending long hours in front of screens. Taking a course like the DSE Assessor Risk Assessment can really help employees grasp the ins and outs of ergonomic setups and reduce the risks associated with too much screen time.

Fire safety is a big one too; being prepared and knowing how to prevent and handle fires is crucial. Therefore, courses such as the Fire Risk Assessment give employees the knowledge to spot fire hazards, carry out risk assessments, and stay calm and ready during emergencies, which is super important for everyone’s safety.

And let’s not forget about manual handling – knowing how to lift and move things safely is key to avoiding injuries and strains. For those wanting to commence the process of manual handling risk assessment in their company, The NEBOSH HSE Certificate in Manual Handling Risk Assessment course teaches employees how to assess manual handling risks, implement measures to stay safe, and practice lifting techniques that won’t land them in pain.

Then there are slips and trips, something we’ve all probably experienced or narrowly avoided at some point. By keeping workplaces tidy, floors clean and dry, and putting up signs to flag potential dangers, employers can significantly reduce the chances of these kinds of accidents happening.

Last but not least is work-related stress, something that everyone will likely experience at some point in their careers. Creating a positive work environment, offering support services, and helping employees manage stress can go a long way in keeping everyone happy, healthy, and on top of their game. Read our article on ‘The Role of Mental Health in Workplace Safety’ to find out more about work-related stress and its impact on the workplace. 

Conclusion

In essence, a risk assessment is a systematic approach for organisations to meticulously evaluate potential hazards and uncertainties, with the aim of minimising their impact on operations and ensuring the safety of individuals  involved. By conducting this assessment, businesses can proactively identify and mitigate any possible risks, thereby fortifying their resilience and preparedness in the face of unexpected events. It serves as a strategic tool for strategic planning, enabling companies to navigate unforeseen challenges with greater confidence and foresight.

The NEBOSH HSE Award in Managing Risks and Risk Assessment at Work is a great way to learn how to identify and manage workplace hazards effectively. This training doesn’t just benefit individuals in their roles, it also helps create a safer environment for everyone.

RRC offers a range of flexible learning options for the NEBOSH Risk Assessment Training, ensuring accessibility and quality in delivering essential skills for managing workplace risks. For more information, visit the NEBOSH Risk Assessment Training page.