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julietpowell  
#1 Posted : 14 March 2018 18:18:07(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
julietpowell

hi

we recently had a case of CTS diagnosed and on receipt of the official diagnosis, the employee was removed from his role and placed in a new position which does not require power tool use.

i have been contacted by the HSE as they require further information and one of the things they have asked for is a new HAV/CTS risk assessment for the employee following his diagnosis. Due to the fact the risk of HAV/CTS was completley removed, i did not re-assess him, i just documented the actions taken concerning his role change and the reasoning behind it. should i have re-assessed him even though all risks were removed?

Thank you

Juliet

Kate  
#2 Posted : 14 March 2018 19:41:48(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kate

In general, you only have to assess significant risks so if you have eliminated the risk there is no risk assessment to do.  Just documenting how you have eliminated it should suffice.

Are they definitely asking for an individual risk assessment?  Not for a re-assessment of the risks to people doing that task / job?

julietpowell  
#3 Posted : 14 March 2018 19:54:21(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
julietpowell

Thanks Kate, that was my thinking, if there was no risk there was nothing to assess.

she has asked specifically for:

'Can you provide me with the reviewed risk assessment completed after his official diagnosis'

i have already sent the personal RA completed on receipt of his positive HAV Survalliance questionnaire (which was why he was refered to occupational health) and the official confirmation of his role change following his diagnosis.

His personal RA did clearly show what risks, hazards and controls put into place whilst he was waiting for his appointment such as HAVi monitoring,limit power tool use, job rotation, keeping hands warm and regular exercise etc.

Edited by user 14 March 2018 20:00:14(UTC)  | Reason: added further text

Steve e ashton  
#4 Posted : 14 March 2018 20:03:17(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Steve e ashton

I may be reading too much into this: could you confirm that all use of vibrating tools has been stopped... Or just that the individual diagnosed has been removed from exposure? It is not clear from the OP. If the second, then I would suggest HSE are looking a review of the vibration assessment as it affects other employees, rather than a specific assessment for the individual already injured by your activities? Sorry if I am misreading your assertion that all risks have been removed....
julietpowell  
#5 Posted : 14 March 2018 20:07:00(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
julietpowell

Hi Steve

sorry if i confused you, she is asking for the personel risk assessment for the employee involved. she is already in receipt of the updated RA for the use of power tools and the controls in place to reduce HAV exposure.

thanks 1 user thanked julietpowell for this useful post.
Steve e ashton on 15/03/2018(UTC)
Kate  
#6 Posted : 14 March 2018 21:30:26(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Kate

The wording quoted sounds as if it could be a request for the risk assessment for the task and not the individual.  They may have received this already but not realised they have received it?

Charlie Brown  
#7 Posted : 14 March 2018 21:33:51(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Charlie Brown

Even though the employee is no longer using power tools, if they are still at work then you will need to assess the likelyhood of their condition being affected by their new duties. For instance, using a keyboard or mouse incorrectly may cause the condition to deteriorate.

I would guess this is probably what the HSE are after but hey, why not ring them up and ask them?

thanks 1 user thanked Charlie Brown for this useful post.
A Kurdziel on 15/03/2018(UTC)
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