Posted By Bob Youel I advise step by step using both on site and desk top exercises

Posted By Martin Savage Thanks for the replies. Andy, that's a useful take to use both methods, one that I hadn't considered, and your rationale makes sense. I have been compiling the list for the last month or two and currently have about 200 tasks and peices of equipment, I estimate there will be another 50 or so to add as we come across them and ideas crop up of things that have been missed. Whilst I understand your approach, I really wanted to go for a standard approach which everyone can get used to and understand easily; also one that I can keep measures on without creating significant additional workload. We're starting from a very low level. In the past I have used the step by step approach across the board, and recorded all the assessments in Excel so that measures are automatically generated and I have a detailed, and full overview of the whole picture in terms of progress, high risks identified, additional controls actioned etc. I'm concerned that a split approach complicates the management process, even though it may simplify some of the assessments. I'll have to give it some more thought to see how I could make it work. What I do know is that the step by step method used in my previous experience worked very well indeed in terms of identifying risks and raising awareness. I'm therefore nervous about compromising that degreee of quality for a simpler and quicker method, whilst wanting to make fast progress on what is a big challenge. Does anyone else have any ideas or input on this?

Posted By Ian Clay1 this is something I am at the moment considering. I have to review our companies 300 risk assessments and need them to be read and understood. The form that is the "Corporate" form I, and others are finding confusing and am looking at the HSE simplified risk assessment form. I have sent some of these out to staff and have good feedback. Where do others views lie with this and has anyone turned to the simplified risk assessment form. Ian

Posted By Crim Pardon me for entering this debate but I thought the best people to do risk assessments are those who do the work? If you are new to the company are you familiar enough with the work tasks do the risk assessments. Better to involve all employees in their own individual tasks.

Posted By Martin Savage I think you may both be right, when you consider what was mentioned above that risk assessment is a process not a piece of paper. The first stage of the process is to gauge roughly which are the most hazardous activities / pieces of equipment / job functions. I can carry that out, with department supervisors and managers. The next stage is to do a more detailed RA of the highest priority items - that will be carried out by our employees whom I have trained in the process of risk assessment. The RA's will be vetted by me afterwards, to ensure no obvious omissions etc.

Posted By Crim I didn't say anything about pinching them, they are there as examples. All complex tasks can be broken down into "bite size chunks" and risk assessed one piece at a time, then put back together again for one set of "main findings". Sorry about the assistance bit but I didn't see it. Not easy to find.

Posted By Gus Martin I do wonder if you really need to do 250 assessments.. getting them done is one thing managing the actions arising and future reviews is another My approach in manufacturing 1. A team approach 2. Split the site down into manageable chunks ( match departments/ supervisors) and do a general assessment for each area e.g office warehouse, engineers workshop, production lines etc.... similar to the model assessments on HSE website - this gives you a good overview and safe workplace 2. Identify the tasks in each area and look for commonality e.g working at height, welding, brazing. machining etc.. and create good generic task assessments for these common task - 1 page if possible 3. Assign appropriate generic assessment to common tasks in each department( create a matrix), review for applicability and identify any specific assessments needed 4. Complete the specific assessments (same format as 2) 5. Create a robust action plan by department and manage to closure It should produce a lot less than 250 assessments