Hi Gaz, welcome to the Madhouse.

Not really sure what you are trying to say. Task based RAs would normally identify a number of significant hazards associated with the actual task - for example, working with electricity, hand tools, working at height, etc. Each of these hazards should be identified with either a risk matrix (5x5 is the norm) and/or qualitative section explaining the controls in place to mitigate the risks.

I would not get too hung up on the numbers i.e. severity x probability, as this is only some guidance to highlight low, med, high risk activities. The important bits are the controls and whether they are adequate.

Ray

I might have a template for you to look at- PM me

Thanks guys thats so helpful.

@RayRapp Your right thats exactly the situation but I just feel paranoid that i'm not doing it to the best of my ability but if thats ok then great. I only ever seem to do task based RA's, i'm not really sure when I would do a generic RA, would that be more to cover a site or premises?

@wclark123B ill defiantly check out the HSE website, thanks.

@Chris42 You are absolutely right and it feels wrong to give 9 hazards 1 rating but if i'm doing it right thats fine. Just didn't want some H&S legend to criticise my RA's. The RA template that was given to me didn't even have a residual rating.

Could somebody be kind enough to explain when you would use a task based and a generic RA?

@jodieclark1510 I'll PM you for a template if thats ok, thanks.

I do fully understand RA's it's just that i'm fresh off the course. My problem is that I can pass tests by remembering answers associated with the question. Now I have the qualification I need to really understand why these things are done. To be honest they skimmed over RA's on the Nebosh course.

Hello Gasmonkey! Welcome to the profession. I know exactly how you feel and I'm sure most of us would agree - straight out of safety college and you feel you know nothing! You will be presented with problems not covered on the course and you just have to apply your knowledge to these new situations. It's what being a safety bod is all about.

Always start with the law, then refer to your enforcers, HSE, LA or whoever, what do they say about the problem and likely solutions? If you follow the HSE's guidance and examples you won't go far wrong. My tutor on my diploma course spent a lot of time reviewing the HSE's own (internal) safety policies and inspectors guidance notes - if you know what they'll be looking for you know where to direct your resources.

This forum is a useful sounding board, but choose who you listen to, there are some people who see it as an opportunity to show how clever they are and how incompetent they think you are and there are those who know nothing about the subject but still offer an opinion!

Turning to the matter in hand, as others have said look at the HSE's guidance. The 5-step approach works well, but note nowhere do the they mention numeric matrices to evaluate the risk. In my organisation we use a qualitative approach - is the likelihood: Remote, Possible, Likely and is the Severity: Extreme, Serious, Moderate? (which I admit is a 3x3 matrix!) Trying to "score" risk is fraught with problems, unless you work in aviation or nuclear etc where there are comprehensive stats to accurately quantify risk eg accidents per hundred thousand flying hours etc. Remember, in making the evaluation you are prompting the question: "Must/can/should we do more?" Take a look at the HSE's example RAs http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/casestudies/index.htm
You don't say what type of facility you manage, but you may be able to find something to start you off.

Good Luck. It does get easier with more knowledge and experience!

I'll admit I've fallen into all 3 camps in the past!

With age comes wisdom. I now try to keep my gob shut if I don't know and showing off in front of a load of people who know more than I do, just makes me look stupid, not clever.

(Please don't search through me earlier posts and prove me wrong!)

;-)

As RayRapp suggests, you need to contact the Co. H&S Bos and make sure you're following usual in-house protocol.

It's perfectly valid to (a) score tasks (b) score residual risk (c) not score any of it. The employer will usually be applying one consistent method.

Gaz

PM me with your email and I will provide you with a list, some templates to get you started etc.

Jonty