Posted By Sean Fraser
Best approach is team oriented - this must include those who work with the equipment as they have the most knowledge on the process, the problems and the maintenance / certification requirements. And after all, they are the ones who will benefit most from the Risk Assessment activity! Also, remember that the RA is simply a tool - it is not the end result in itself but a means to an end. Once completed, you will still need to take appropriate actions under the hierarchy of control to remove hazards, substitute them with less harmful hazards and to adequately control what remains. Remember to include everything that affects the use of the equipment - normal operations (doing what it is meant to do), abnormal operations (infrequent operations and maintenance / servicing / certification), emergency operations (fire, flood, collapse etc.). Key to any operation is the operator - always make sure they are critical considerations throughout the assessment.

Assess the process in a step by step manner if possible - draw in peripheral activities and be conscious that the operation may affect or be affected by other activities in the area, either directly or indirectly. Make sure you include activities that feed into and are fed by the process i.e. fetching materiel necessary to operate the equipment, so manual handling and safety issues may arise that have not previously been considered. And always consider COSHH requirements that may be involved - a separate assessment may be indicated purely on COSHH.

Be aware of the results of other Risk Assessments and take their results into consideration - avoid duplication and especially contradiction.

Finally, once complete, ensure that the actions identified by the assessment are actually put in place!

An excellent guide on Task Risk Assessments is available on the Step Change website - follow the link below and click on "Publications Index", then look up "Task Risk Assessment Guide". You may also find the associated presentation of interest. The guide provides a general matrix template that you could adopt, and I am sending you by separate e-mail the RA template (excel) that we use which aligns with this guide.

http://step.steel-sci.or...main_publications_fs.htm

Good luck!

Posted By Karen Todd
Hello Julian,

HSE(NI) have produced a booklet called "Risk Assessment Simplified" which I have e-mailed to you.

It has in it tables for Hazard Identification and Risk Evaluation and an action plan, along with a useful hazard checklist to prompt you.

Karen

Posted By John Johnston
Hey Julian,

Great advice above that I will take note of also, but just for added information if you need any more, this tool from Leeds City Council has some excellent tips......

http://www.leeds.gov.uk/risk/frames.htm

Best regards,

John