Risk Assessment – An Essential Standard
Risk Assessment – An Essential Standard
Agenda
Introduction :
• Aims and Objectives
• What is a risk assessment?
 The importance of good risk assessment
 Outline of the “Essential Standard”
 Next stage of the initiative
Risk Assessment

Aims and Objectives
This Best Practice initiative will be issued by Thames Water as an Essential Standard
to all key suppliers and contractors working on their behalf.

Aim
To improve the standard of risk assessment on all Thames Water sites and eliminate /
reduce risk of injury to those employed or affected by our work.

Objectives
•
•
To raise awareness of the importance of good risk assessment
To give a better and more consistent approach to risk assessment on all contractors
working on Thames Water sites.
To identify the minimum competency for those writing and reviewing risk assessments
To highlight the importance of workforce involvement in the risk assessment process
•
•
Risk Assessment – An Essential Standard
Why the initiative has been introduced?
Poor risk assessment was identified as root cause in a high number
of incidents including underground service strikes.
A major reoccurring finding was that change control was poor i.e. the
risk assessment differs from actual site practise.
There was concern development of Risk Assessment was being
handed to junior staff which raised concerns over the competency
levels of those tasked with writing and reviewing risk assessments.
Therefore This presentation and initiative have been introduced by
“The Health and Safety Leadership Team” to develop a “best
practise” approach
Risk Assessment
Introduction : What is a risk assessment?
Risk assessment: A tool to help prevent accidents and ill health. It is a legal requirement.
Initiative is based around the HSE guidance utilising 5-Steps to Risk assessment
Step 1: What are the hazards? (anything with potential to cause harm).
Step 2: Who might be harmed and to what extent?
Step 3 : Asses the risk of the hazard causing harm - make staff aware of and train in the
control measures.
Step 4: Record the findings in a systematic manner
Step 5: Periodic review - if the control measures are still appropriate.
Risk Assessment
The importance of good risk assessment
Risk assessments are very important:
•
They form an integral part of health and safety management plan.
•
To create awareness of hazards and risks.
•
To identify who may be at risk
•
To determine if existing control measures are adequate or should be
done.
•
To prevent injuries or illnesses (if done at the design / planning).
•
To prioritize hazards and control measures.
Risk Assessment
Legal Requirements for Risk Assessment
The need for risk assessment is part of:
•
Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974
•
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Managers must write risk assessment to ensure that the health and
safety of all employees and others who may be affected by any work
activity. Other regulations also exist to cover work activities that carry
specific risks, for example lifting and carrying, computer work and
electricity.
Essential Standard – The Roles
The Information is contained with an “Essential Standard”. There
are 4 role groups with responsibilities
a) Managers / Supervisors
b) Others with input (Engineers, H&S Professional)
c) Supervisor on site
d) Workforce
Some company procedures also require an additional independent
risk assessment review process, as part of their management
systems.
Essential Standard – Training and
Competency
Managers
The Essential Standard requires Manager’s training to include:
Mandatory requirements:
•
Company Specific Risk Assessment Process and
•
Core Safety training e.g. SMSTS or IOSH
Optional
•
Communication Skills
•
Inspirational Leadership
Essential Standard – Training and
Competency
Supervisors
The training for the supervisors on site should be
Mandatory
•
Company Specific Risk Assessment Process
•
Core safety training such as SSSTS
•
Inspirational Leadership
Optional
•
Communication skills e.g. toolbox talk training
•
Others involved in writing and reviewing risk assessment must also
be trained and competent to do so
Essential Standard – Training and
Competency
Workforce
The workforce should have the following training
Mandatory
•
Thames Water Safety Passport
Optional
•
Hazard recognition training
•
Company specific risk assessment process training
•
Toolbox Talk engagement
Essential Standard – Procedure
The procedure will require the Manager or Supervisor to:
•
Visit the location of work before preparing Risk Assessment
•
Involve the workforce and site team
•
Link to Method statement (if one generated)
•
Comply with own company procedures
•
Ensure change control mechanism
•
Review within specified period
•
Brief appropriate staff before work starts
•
Ensure this and other related documents (e.g. lift plans) are retained at
the point of work
•
Ensure it is signed off by Manager / supervisor
Risk Assessment– Input from Others
There maybe other people inputting to the risk assessment process.
For example:
•
Specialist subcontractors
•
Designers (e.g. temporary works)
•
H&S Professionals
•
Engineers
•
Management peers
Their training should be the same as for Managers and supervisors
and relevant to their own business procedures, specialist skills etc...
Essential Standard – Communication
The procedure should require supervisors on site to:
•
Ensure people engaged in work activities are competent
•
Ensure all persons involved are briefed and understand the
hazards and controls to be applied
•
Ensure that there is a record of briefing provided and signed by
those involved in the activity
•
Ensure a copy of the risk assessment and supporting documents
are held at the place of work
•
Feedback proposed changes to Manager / Supervisor for
approval.
Essential Standard – Communication
The procedure should require supervisors on site to:
•
Ensure people engaged in work activities are competent
•
Ensure all persons involved are briefed and understand the hazards and
controls to be applied
•
Ensure that there is a record of briefing provided and signed by those
involved in the activity
•
Ensure a copy of the risk assessment and supporting documents are
held at the place of work
•
Feedback proposed changes to Manager / Supervisor for approval.
The site supervisor should monitor the risk assessment by during regular
inspections to ensure works are carried in accordance with the document.
Essential Standard – Monitoring
Managers and Supervisors should monitor the risk assessment
by:
• Ensuring it remains valid and relevant to the activity
undertaken
• Inspecting the site activities and conditions to ensure control
measures are in place.
• Recording the findings
• Ensuring sub-contractors follow the essential standard.
• If the risk assessment is no longer relevant, the site conditions
have changed or control measures are not adequate – STOP
WORK
Essential Standard – Feedback and
Involvement
The risk assessment procedure should require the
workforce to:
• Actively contribute and provide feedback on risk
assessment
• Cooperate and play part in implementing controls and
safe methods of work detailed in the risk assessment
The workforce should be encouraged to report any safety
concerns or changes that effect health and safety to the
supervisor.
Risk Assessment – An Essential Standard
Summary:
 A legal requirement
 Focus on site activities as well as conditions
 Ensure competent people in all stages
 Visit site as part of the assessment process
 Communicate and record events
 Maintain vigilance
We all have a part to play!!!