Since the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 assessment of risk has been a key part of providing a safe place of work for employees and others. Since this time European initiated legislation has further developed and reinforced the concept of carrying out risk assessments in order to provide safe working conditions. The COSSH regulations, Noise at Work regulations and Manual Handling regulations are just three specific examples where risk assessment is directed at a specific hazard in the workplace.

The Management of Health and Safety regulations specifically requires employers to carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments and that a competent person should carry them out. The regulations do not say what a competent person is and what is suitable and sufficient, as both will be somewhat dependent on the circumstances and in reality only time will tell whether what you have done was sufficient. The acid test is that industrial injuries become less of a problem.

With regard to "the competent person" aspect of the regulations this can of course be an employee but the conflict of other demands on your time often result in this apparently non-productive exercise being overlooked. There is also considerable benefit in having an outsider's viewpoint that will not be influenced by familiarity with the working methods.

I can offer an economic risk assessment service based on my experience and training in the chemical and distribution industries backed up by a qualification in health and safety and I can bring together those experiences for the benefit of my clients. If you would like me to contact you with regard to risk assessment click here and complete the e-mail form and I will contact to discuss your needs.