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SBH  
#1 Posted : 22 October 2012 07:55:07(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
SBH

If the hazard never changes and the risk is controlled effectively - stable staff - no accidents etc - would you agree that there is no need to review a risk assessment as it is obviously working. SBH
jfenney  
#2 Posted : 22 October 2012 08:10:23(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
jfenney

I think the word review is the main word in this and although you say there are no accidents and the risk is controlled you are in fact reviewing the risk assessment. As we know risk assessment have to be reviewed as and when is determined by the nature of the risk so I my humble opinion you do need to review risk assessments however if the control measures are working then you would not need to change it but identify that you have reviewed it. Jurgen
Tomkins26432  
#3 Posted : 22 October 2012 08:16:58(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Tomkins26432

I agree with J Fenny Review of risk assessments is an important step, even if there have been no incidents and the staff have remained the same. To be honest my reviews often result in simplification of the original risk assessment as, upon review, the people directly involved are able to tell me that some of the 'potential issues' first included turned out not to be issues. Also, if you wanted to loo at the question from the other side? If you only reviewed risk assessments when staff changed and/or there was an accident I don't think anybody would be too happy.
chris.packham  
#4 Posted : 22 October 2012 08:17:39(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
chris.packham

If you do not review at regular intervals, how will you know that nothing has changed? Even minor changes, e.g. in the chemical product you are purchasing or the way in which the control measures are working, could result in a significant change in the risk or effect of exposure. Not to review would be akin to the quality control department stating that they do not need to control any more as the situation is stable and the product up to now has been as specified. I doubt whether the relevant EN standards would accept this. Chris
boblewis  
#5 Posted : 22 October 2012 09:25:47(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
boblewis

SBH Given your scenario one can always review if there is anything that can be done to reduce risks further without significant additional costs. Time moves on as does equipment design, materials and understanding of the level of risk. Bob
A Kurdziel  
#6 Posted : 22 October 2012 11:01:41(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
A Kurdziel

As others have said, “How do you know that nothing has changed if you don’t do the review?” The review need not be onerous ie you don’t need to do the assessment from scratch again; all you need to do is to check the assessment and make sure that: 1. It is still appropriate ie the procedure has not been changed/modified since the RA was written 2. It is sufficient, ie there haven’t been any incidents( including near misses) which might lead to doubts about the RA 3. It is suitable as the apparent risk has not changed because there is new information about the hazards involved. This is what we do.
Ron Hunter  
#7 Posted : 22 October 2012 12:39:12(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Ron Hunter

No! Industry and regulator expectation of good practice, i.e. reducing risk so far as is reasonably practicable does change over time. Risk Assessment review has to look outward as well as inward.
Clairel  
#8 Posted : 22 October 2012 13:34:21(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Clairel

Legally you only need to review if there has been an incident or if there has been change in the work activity. Best practice is to review, but to me that just means to acknowledge that nothing has changed. It's not like you have to rewrite it or anything. Resign it to bable to prove that it hasn't just sat on a shelf gathering dust.
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