Risk Assessment

Brief Guide on Risk Assessment

What is Risk Assessment?

Risk assessment is a systematic process used to identify hazards in the workplace and evaluate the likelihood and severity of harm these hazards could cause. The
goal is to implement measures to eliminate or reduce risks to an acceptable level.

Responsibility for Undertaking Risk Assessment

The primary responsibility for conducting risk assessments lies with the employer. The main requirement to conduct a risk assessment is outlined in the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, which places a legal duty on all employers to carry out risk assessments.

Role of the Union Safety Representative

Union safety representatives have an important role in the risk assessment process.

Their responsibilities include:

• Ensuring that employers conduct suitable and sufficient risk assessments.
• Being consulted and involved in the risk assessment process.
• Reviewing and commenting on risk assessments.
• Checking that identified hazards are addressed and control measures are implemented effectively.

Competence to Undertake Risk Assessment

A “competent person” to undertake risk assessments should have:

• Knowledge and understanding of the work being assessed.
• Familiarity with the principles of risk assessment and prevention.
• Up-to-date knowledge of health and safety measures.
• The ability to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement effective control measures.

Competence can vary depending on the complexity of the workplace and the risks involved.

School specific advice: Class teachers/ H&S responsibility etc . There is no contractual requirement on unpromoted teachers to undertake or to sign off risk assessments. The SNCT list of duties (SNCT Handbook Part 2, Section 2, paragraph 2.8) does not include this task. For promoted post holders such a requirement may be specified in the remit of a promoted post.

A Head teacher’s responsibility for health and safety will usually include implementation of the employer’s policy on risk assessment. Such a policy should identify who is responsible for conducting risk assessments and the professional health and safety advice available to support the process.

Investigating and Reporting Accidents and Incidents

An accident is defined by HSE as an event that results in injury or ill health. An incident can be a near miss, which is an event that, while not causing harm, has the potential to cause injury or ill health, including dangerous occurrences. An accident or an incident are both termed as ‘adverse’ events by the HSE.

Causes of Adverse Events

Adverse events in the workplace can often be traced back to a series of failures and errors, rather than mere bad luck. These causes can be classified into three
categories:

• Immediate Causes, such as the agent of injury or ill health (e.g., an uneven floor or substance);
• Underlying Causes, which include unsafe acts and conditions (e.g.,removed guards or switched-off ventilation);
• Root Causes, which are management, planning, or organisational failings (e.g., failure to identify training needs or low priority given to risk assessment).

To prevent adverse events, the employer must implement effective risk control measures that address all these causes.