Protecting your employees from possible dangers at work is the law and the most effective way of doing so is by performing a risk assessment. It is very easy for potential health risks to go unnoticed in day-to-day working life, carrying out your job role. A work risk assessment highlights clear-cut measures that can effectively control risks within the workplace. The assessment does so by examining where and what in your business could cause harm, helping you weigh up whether or not you have taken sufficient safety precautions.

Carrying out a work risk assessment not only protects your workforce but also the welfare of your business. Accidents at work can ruin lives, result in less work output, damage machinery and increase insurance costs. By implementing a plan to control the risks means that you are adhering to the law and protecting your workforce as well as your business.

Recognising the hazards is the ideal place to start when assessing the risks in your workplace. If you are a small company then you are more than likely able to identify the hazards and carry out the risk assessment yourself. If your company consists many people with varying job roles then it is recommended that a health and safety expert is called on. If you work in a large company then it is advised that you involve your staff or their representatives to ensure your work risk assessment is carried effectively. Recognising the hazards doesn’t need to be a complicated process and the obvious risks will be easy to identify and prevention methods simple to implement. Start by taking a walk around the workplace identifying possible hazards. Ask your employees or representatives for their perspective. Consult manufacturers instructions and accident records to help discover less obvious hazards.

Once potential hazards are identified, matching them to their relevant job role is key. This will identify the most efficient way to mange the risks. After evaluating the risks in the workplace, the precautions should be finalised with the law stating the need to do everything reasonably practicable to protect your workforce from harm. It is advised that you undergo research on risk control good practice and compare this to the precaution solution that you have drawn up. This should bring you up to speed with current standards and help to implement your plan of action. Remember that the precautions put in place do not need to be expensive. A small cost implementing your plan could save your business a lot of money in long term insurance costs.

It is recommended that you record your work risk assessment findings for future reference share these with your employees. These will help with future updates and comparisons. Reviewing your work risk assessment should taking place when updates to procedures or machinery occur within the company. This will keep your control plans up to date and minimise the risk of accidents and injuries in the workplace.