Risk Management

Risk assessment and risk management is the cornerstone of good health and safety management.

Employers are required to carry out risk assessments of their activities to ensure no harm to people and no adverse impact on the environment.

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers must identify the hazards that could cause harm, injury or serious illness. Hazards are usually associated with how people work, equipment that is used, chemicals and substances in use, the work environment and the use of specialist equipment.

Following identification of all the hazards, risks need to be calculated and documented. Risks are assessed by taking into consideration factors such as: who might be harmed, what has already been done to control the risk, what further action needs to be taken, and whether the work can be changed to eliminate the risk.

Not all risks can be eliminated, but steps taken need to be ‘reasonably practicable’ to protect employers and other people who might be affected. This means balancing the level of risk against the measures needed to control the risk; what benefits are there in putting in place control measures, and the cost of implementing these measures.

Our consultants regularly facilitate risk assessment sessions, helping employers to comply with their risk assessment and risk management obligations.

If you have a need to carry out risk assessment, contact us for advice.