Risk Assessments
Under Health and Safety legislation the main requirement for employers is to conduct suitable and sufficient risk assessments. Risk assessments form the lynchpin of health and safety management. We at Agility can assist you with this process, providing simple to use documentation, guidance and assistance in carrying out the assessments for your site, process or work activity.
Fire Risk Assessments
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order came into force on 1st October 2006. This Order replaced all existing fire safety legislation including Fire Precautions Act 1971 and The Workplace Regulations 1997.
You must provide your employees with clear information about the risks to them identified by the Fire Risk Assessment, about the measures taken to prevent fires and how these measures will protect them if a fire breaks out.
Hazardous Substance Risk Assessment
Substances hazardous to health in the workplace are derived from:
- Hazardous materials or products in use within the workplace
- Hazardous materials or bi-products that result from work processes
- Hazards that result from contact with micro biological organisms
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH) requires employers to conduct assessments and implement controls where hazardous substances are used or are present in the workplace.
The aim should be to protect persons who may be exposed to the harmful effects of the substances concerned.
New & Expectant Mothers Risk Assessment
New and expectant mothers (NEMs) are recognised as being particularly at risk.
Pregnancy is not an illness or disability, but a naturally occurring condition that can affect the individual concerned in different ways. Issues that were not previously considered to be hazards can become hazards to the individual and unborn child, issues that were previously considered to be low or medium risk can become high risk.
There is a need to look at all the tasks that are undertaken within the workplace. This will also involve equipment and machinery that are used to complete these tasks.
Manual Handling Risk Assessment
Manual handling injuries are amongst the most common in the workplace.
Approximately one third of all reported accidents are manual handling related, the majority of people think back injuries being the one that can arise from poor handling techniques, but other injuries also include cuts, abrasions, sprains and strains to any part of the body.
Not all injuries occur from lifting or carrying heavy items, you should also consider pushing and pulling.
Young Persons Risk Assessment
Definition of a Young Person:-
A young person is between the school leaving age and 18 years old. Children are young persons who are still at school (below the school leaving age).
Young persons are recognised as being particularly at risk because they:
- Are still in the process of physical growth, where their none structure can be permanently damaged
- They have limited ability to understand the consequences of their actions
- They do not fully understand the hazard and risks that may be present in the workplace
In both instances (Young People & Children) a special risk assessment is required. However, in the case of children, there is a mandatory requirement for supervision at all times whilst they are in the workplace.
Display Screen Equipment Risk Assessment
A Display Screen Equipment (DSE) assessment is required to ensure that the equipment used by, and the work processes undertaken by, your employees does not expose them to harm.
The assessment will include:
- The general environment in which the work is carried out – lighting, ventilation, workspace
- The equipment – chair, desk, keyboard and screen
- The employee – posture, eye strain, workload and stress
