Posted By M.Blake
Could somebody please confirm or disagree with a risk assessment rating for an oil spillage, if a spill kit was in place, although to use this is a reactive procedure, this would still lessen the severity. A briefing on how to handle these materials would lessen the likelihood. So if prior to implementing these procedures the Likelihood was 3 and the Severity 3, would I be correct in saying that once they were in place the Likelihood and Severity could become 2,2. And would this theory apply when using mechanical aid for manual handling? Any opinions would be helpful.
Martine Blake

Posted By Hilary Charlton
Not necessarily. Having a control measure after the fact does not decrease the likelihood of a spill occurring, it possibly reduces the severity of the effect on the environment however so maybe this should be left at 3,2. However, remember you would have to have an enormous spill kit for a major spill. You should try to put your control measures further up the line, is the oil container bunded including all pipework and taps? If the answer to this is no, then this is where you start. Are you transporting the oil manually, if so then can you get a vacuum pump to transfer this automatically? Just some thought processes for you.

Again, going from manual handling to mechanical handling, this reduces the risk of work related upper limb disorders but there are new risks involved in mechanical handling that need to be taken into account, correct slinging, positioning of eye bolts, use of chain slings and maximum permissible weights. All the checks that need to be carried out under LOLER, ensuring all equipment is maintained to the correct standard and examined at regular intervals. Again, if you are lifting oil drums by mechanical means rather than manual means you need to ensure that all caps and lids are tight as you have less control over spills from mechanical lifting than from manual lifting.

All these things need to be looked at and assessed individually, each process has it's own attendant problems. I agree that switching from manual handling to mechanical handling is almost always a good idea, as long as the hazards associated with the new procedure are identified and rectified wherever possible.

Hope this helps

Posted By Dave Daniel
I have always held that risk assessment rating systems were of little use... What does the number mean? Does it mean you have adequately controlled the risk or not? The issue is whether the measure you propose reduce or help manage the risk, not what number you abitrarily assign it.

Example: driving a fork truck always involves hazard and whilst these can be minimised they cannot be eliminated. You would have to assign a high score, but do nothing more. operating a computer has little risk, but there may be action you take to reduce risk further even though you woudl only assign a low score.

Posted By Dave Wilson
Mike,

You do not mention if there is any history of incidents which would be of benefit.

With this particular substance would suggest you look at the Env impacts as well as the H&S impacts, as this could be potentially the most damaging to your company and the local ground water.