Posted By Paul Jenns I am currently reviewing the construction risk assessments prepared by my employer and in doing so am comparing other risk assessment formats. Some do an assessment before the control measures and then again after the control measures. Others - quite authoritive - prepare them before control measures only. Can anybody advise ne as to whether there is a good argument for adopting one of the above formats in preference to the other?

Posted By Ken Taylor The former method must be correct as the employer needs to know (and have evidence for) the level of controlled risk.

Posted By Ciaran McAleenan Paul Do not start with the identification of the hazard, rather go to the real starting point; that is the work operation. Many systems start with the hazards and lose sight of what is important because the focus is too narrow. Your objective has to be 'a safe outcome to a successful work operation' and in that you start to look at anything that will prevent you from achieving that aim. Within the construction industry you will have a wide range of work operations and many employees involved in the different work activities associated with each operation. Start by listing all of the work operations and categorising them into general areas (that is those with common activities). Work with the staff in each of the areas to ensure that all operations have been properly listed and categorised. From that list it will be possible to identify the hazards by asking, "What can cause harm?". Remember to think of this in the widest sense; · What can cause the workers harm? (plant and machinery etc.) · What can cause harm to the operation? (workers/ visitors/ lack of resource etc.) · What harm can the environment cause to the workers? (noise, vibration, substances, biological hazards, asbestos etc.) · What harm can be caused to the environment? (emissions, spillage etc.) Once you know what can cause harm you can look for the ways to; · Eliminate the hazard (look for alternative ways of doing the work) · Contain the hazard (look for ways of isolating the worker from the hazard or isolating the hazard from the worker) · Control the hazard (proper management procedures such as safe working procedures, permits to work, training and assessment, use of personal protective equipment, health surveillance, monitoring and auditing) It will depend on the nature of the work operation and the skills within the company whether you can do all of this from within. Your own expertise and that of your colleagues will be central, as will the skills of the workforce. Remember those that carry out the work task often have a very good idea of what will make the operation safe. If necessary look for outside assistance but only after you are clear what it is you require. The above together with the other questions in the Operational Analysis and Control Model (see earlier posting - Health & Safety Management Systems Audits) will identify safety, occupational health, environmental and any other hazards you might come across (such as security or financial). The reason this is true is that it is an iterative process. You work at it until the possibilities are exhausted and then you ask; "Is that it?" I trust this helps. Ciaran mailto:ciaran@confinedspace.com