Rank: Forum user 
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I am just questioning the validity of the HSE simplified Safety Risk Assessment form. A company I know use it and it works for them but some have questioned that there is no risk rating and have questioned its validity.
Where I see the advantages and disadvantages my opinion is as long as it identifies hazards and risks and has control measures for reducing the risk etc it is suitable and sufficient. My view is that it is more important that people read and UNDERSTAND the assessment without making it too complicated and follow the control measures.
also if it is approved by the HSE it is surely adequate. I am just talking about using the format and not copying the examples given. I value your opinions..
many Thanks
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Rank: Super forum user 
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"also if it is approved by the HSE it is surely adequate"
That says all you need to know!
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Rank: Super forum user 
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There is no requirement to have a rating. A rating may be of benefit if you have a lot of assessments, you can use the rating to help rank the most significant. I personally think people who are not in H&S, but want to understand the process, find it easier to understand if there is a matrix.
Opinions are definitely divided on this !
I have recently started a new job and have to admit a little more info on the assessments would not have gone amiss. Probably end up redoing them all as it is hard to figure out what was going through their mind.
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Rank: Super forum user
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chris42 wrote:I have recently started a new job and have to admit a little more info on the assessments would not have gone amiss. Probably end up redoing them all as it is hard to figure out what was going through their mind. The advantage of a matrix is that these tend to weigh points in relation to the severity (one point for a first aid, three for 7 day reportable, five for a fatality and six for multiple fatalities etc), similarly for frequency. This way, anyone coming new into a job, knows how the originator has come to the conclusion of negligable etc. But a matrix is not necessary, just helpful.
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Rank: New forum user
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The risk rating matrix is very handy for safety professionals but many people at risk just need to understand what the hazard is and how to implement adequate controls. I dont beleive there is a legal requirement for risk ratings.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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In my view, most matrix-based systems have decided the answer first then fiddled the numbers so they give about the right result, not properly quantified the risk figures to determine what the result really is. I've only ever seen properly calibrated, quantified input data when my work has overlapped with petrochem people.
If the inputs are fiddled to give a right-feeling answer, you may as well just skip the numbers stage, because it's all a qualitative exercise anyway and dressing it up as if it were quantitative doesn't actually add any value.
I have never not taken action on anything I qualitatively felt was a significant risk just because the numbers said otherwise. Nor have I ever taken action on something the numbers said needed it when I felt it was actually not significant. So why pretend otherwise? It's pseudo-science, and pointless.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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As others have observed there is no requirement to use risk ratings or matrices etc and opinion is very definitely divided on the matter. If you are happy using the HSE form and it works for you, then go ahead and use it – the use of a rating system does not make it valid or otherwise; it does have to be suitable and sufficient though.
However, I would say that consideration of the extent or severity of the hazard, whether or not this is formally recorded on the risk assessment form, must surely be a key consideration when assessing the risk and subsequently managing your risks
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Rank: Forum user
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Many Thanks for the responses. I think the important thing is that all risks are addressed and that they are in an easily understood format for the required audience. I think that sometimes, as safety professionals, we forget about the audience who have to understand the assessment. My opinion is that the HSE template does that and makes the documents readable.
Many Thanks again.
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