Hi I've been considering this scenario: Employee starts work at 9am in building A. At 11am they walk across London for about 15 mins to building B. They have an accident, they're off work for three days, therefore RIDDOR reportable, without a doubt. But - do we have a risk assessment in place for this - No. Do we have any controls in place - No. Are we doing all that is Reasonably Practicable? That's the $64,000 question. Send all staff on a 'Green Cross Code' course? Get them to sign a disclaimer? Put it down as a residual risk and live with it? What changes if the person is riding the bike they use to get to work on? What if they use one of London's Barclays' bikes? Risk assessments - No (should we have?), Controls - No (like what?). Again is it RP to insist on helmets, Cycling proficiency certificates? One without the other seems arbitrary to me. Any thoughts gratefully received. Graham

Tricky one... I'd separate the two issues; if they're walking then is it reasonable to assume that a sensible adult would know how to cross a road safely? I think I'd argue that they should. What else can you reasonably do? Give them a hi-vis jacket? That would be a tad OTT don't you think? If they're cycling, do you then think it sensible to have a company policy covering that event? You might want to do something which makes sure the bike is roadworthy and we have a "bike doctor" who comes on-site and gives the bikes a free inspection; obviously anything found like loose bearings or the like are cost to the owner or they can choose to repair themselves. JHelemet policy....given London traffic I'd suggest this would be sensible advice. Life outside the office is full of risk, but nobody thinks twice about it at lunchtime when they're out grabbing a sandwich and a coffee...additional hazard alert - hot liquids.

Hi Graham, my first thought was that walking on a city street is an everyday human activity. Does it present a significant risk of harm? Not if done during normal daytime working hours on well populated streets, not carrying or displaying obvious valuable items. Therefore no requirement for recording the findings of a risk assessment. Then you introduce cycling in to the equation. If you were providing a motor vehicle then there have been very many threads on here suggesting the size, colour and height of the hoops you should be jumping through. Is the cycyling activity much different to driving? Perhaps greater exposure to the individual but less to other parties. As a Londoner you are better placed to assess the risks than all those working in better places but it seems a bit OTT to me to be thinking about certifying people to use their own bikes! As for disclaimers - what is it you are asking them to sign up to? "I certify I won't have an accident whilst on my bike, and if I do I won't sue you." At least you will not run short of toilet paper as that's about all the disclaimer will be worth.