Health and Safety Risk Assessment

6. Improving Safety

Give priority to controlling risks which could affect large numbers of people or result in serious harm to individuals.

6.1 The best option is to remove a hazard altogether.

• For example, installing improved flooring or lighting.
• Or using safer machinery.
• Or using non-flammable materials.

6.2 You can control risks with suitable systems and procedures.

These might include:

• Procedures for dealing with simple hazards (eg spillages).
• Physically separating employees from hazards. For example, by setting up barriers or cordoning off certain areas of the building.
• Insisting that staff take regular rest breaks to prevent tiredness.
• Developing a sound, workable evacuation plan, in case of emergencies.

6.3 You can improve the effectiveness of procedures by providing appropriate information and training.

• Employees must be given training before being exposed to the hazards. Make it part of your induction programme.
• The training should make it clear how seriously you take health and safety. Make it clear that failure to follow the procedures will be viewed as a disciplinary offence.
• Ideally, induction and training should be recorded, with the trainee's signature as confirmation of having received the training.
• Use signs to warn people of hazards.

6.4 You can reduce risk by minimising exposure to the hazard.

• Only suitably trained employees should be allowed to operate or repair dangerous machinery.
• A 'permit-to-work' system can be used to control access to particularly dangerous situations.

6.5 Provide personal protective equipment, such as protective clothing, goggles and ear defenders as a last resort when other steps are impracticable or are insufficient on their own.

6.6 Regular safety monitoring will help to ensure that the precautions you have put in place are working.

This monitoring should include:

• Regular visual inspection of the workplace.
• Records of all incidents, including illness, accidents and 'near misses' (see 2).
• Planned maintenance and routine equipment inspection. Regular inspection is legally required for some potentially dangerous equipment, including boilers, lifts and air-conditioning installations.