Risk assessment is a primary management tool in ensuring the health and safety of workers (and others). What many people perhaps are not aware of, however, is that they are actually a legal requirement for employers and certain self-employed people. Whether you’re wondering how to complete a risk assessment or are unsure of their relevance within your industry, read on to discover everything you need to know.
Why are risk assessments important?
As previously stated, carrying out suitable and sufficient risk assessments is the primary management tool in effective risk management. It is a legal requirement for any employer and must be documented wherever five or more people are employed.
Risk assessment is a straightforward and structured method of ensuring the risks to the health, safety and wellbeing of employees (and others) are suitably eliminated, reduced or controlled
The main purpose of risk assessments are:
- To identify health and safety hazards and evaluate the risks presented within the workplace
- To evaluate the effectiveness and suitability of existing control measures
- To ensure additional controls (including procedural) are implemented wherever the remaining risk is considered to be anything other than low.
- To prioritise further resources if needed to ensure the above.