Last Minute Risk Analysis (LMRA)
January 2011
During the inspections carried out by DIBEC we regularly come across undesirable
situations that could easily have been prevented. We are talking here about activities that
are undertaken without thinking carefully about the risks that could have an impact on
health and safety. By performing an LMRA it is possible to identify these risks in good time
and often also to eliminate them. In this newsletter we would like to provide you with further
information on how the LMRA works and how using it can contribute to a good, safe
working environment for all employees.
The new “VCA */**/petrochemicals” health and
safety checklists for contractors include the
requirement to perform an LMRA. The LMRA has
already been introduced within various Ballast
Nedam companies. However, we have noticed that
it is not yet being applied by everyone on a daily
basis.
The LMRA originated in the petrochemical industry.
Here it is often necessary to perform an LMRA in
advance in order for work to be allowed to begin. In
many cases this LMRA is linked to a work permit
and therefore has to be carried out in a
demonstrable way. This means that a checklist has
to be completed every day before work gets under
way and, if no risks are identified, activities can
commence in a safe manner. Within Ballast Nedam
an LMRA was chosen that employees perform in
their heads and therefore does not need to be
recorded.
The aim of the LMRA is to increase safety in the
workplace for construction site employees. If
employees themselves think, before starting work,
about the environment and situations in which
various activities need to be performed, for
example, risky situations can be avoided.
The LMRA is performed before work begins.
Employees are required to check whether any risks
are present.
If risks are found, employees must consider whether the
causes can be identified and, if they can, a solution must
be thought of and implemented. An important point to
note is that if a dangerous situation is identified, this must
always be reported to the employee’s manager. In this
way the manager can prevent a similar risk from arising
again for other employees or when similar activities are
being carried out at a later stage.
A tool has been devised to assist employees in this task.
This is a card stating potential risks and the steps to be
taken to ensure that work can be carried out safely and
effectively. The card is shown at the bottom of this
newsletter and is available in various languages. It can be
ordered via Ballast Nedam’s Reprographics department.
It is advisable to draw the attention of construction site
employees to the way the LMRA is performed on a
regular basis. This can be done with the help of a toolbox,
for example, or by talking to employees while they are
carrying out their work. The LMRA naturally also applies
to subcontractors, who must be made aware during their
introduction that they are also expected to perform the
LMRA.
An important point to note in relation to the LMRA is that
employees should be given a proper introduction to it.
This applies both to the company’s own employees and to
subcontractors. DIBEC can assist you with this. If you are
interested in organising an introduction to the LMRA or a
refresher session, or if you have any questions as a result
of this newsletter, please do not hesitate to contact us.