While most people are aware of the importance of risk assessments, many people can get confused when it comes to actually recording potential risks. In this short guide we will discuss the key components all risk assessments must include, as well as discussing the importance of tailoring risk assessments to suit your organisation.

What is a Risk Assessment?

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) a risk assessment can be defined in the following way:

A risk assessment is simply a careful examination of what, in your work, could cause harm to people, so that you can weigh up whether you have taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm.

Regardless of the size of your organisation, you have a legal duty to undertake risk assessments in order to protect your workforce.

How to do an Assessment

To do an effective risk assessment you first need to understand the different elements in your business that might cause people harm. Once you have identified these elements and decided what actions you will put in place to reduce harm, you need to prioritise some appropriate and proportional control measures. The HSE suggest you begin by:

Identifying what can harm people in the workplace

Identifying who might be harmed and how

Evaluating the risks and deciding on the appropriate controls

Recording your risk assessment

Risk Assessment Template:

When it comes to risk assessments; one size does not fit all.

Organisations need to understand the importance of tailoring risk assessments; they need to ensure that every individual and activity is covered. At Atrium we can help organisations meet their legal requirements by carrying out assessments, for more information you should check out our services page.

Please remember that copying a risk assessment template from the web and putting your company name on it will not be enough to fulfil your legal requirement. Every business is unique and consequently faces a unique set of hazards, although there may sometimes be an overlap, it is best to call in a professional to help you with your assessment. Contact Atrium today!