Posted By Robert K Lewis
Homer

Write your own and publish it you dare. This area has become populated by some entrenched views. It is also difficult now to break what has become a virtuous circle for each of the proponents.

The HSE 5 steps is claimed to provide a useful approach for less complex tasks but the HSE also identify it when talking to high risk employers. I have even heard criticism, however, from one inspector, to a high risk employment sector employer, that their RAs are TOO DETAILED.

The key for me is to ask the questions such as:

Whether the significant risks have been identified?

Are the control measures identified capable of controlling the identified risks?

Is the final assessed level of risk one that can be accepted?

Finally - does the method of work (method statement) incorporate the proposed control measures?

Bob

Posted By JAI
Homer

Have e mailed you some info

Jai

Posted By Chris Pope
For an example from HSE of acceptable risk assessment purchase case studies in risk assessment from HSE books HSG183

Posted By Rob Yuill
Hmm, risk assessments - 5 steps; Basic; Quantative; Complex; Dynamic; Operational Risk Management. And don't forget the "fag packet" variety. There I feel better already, the drugs are obviously working again so here we go!

A risk assessment cannot by itself make work safe, the risk of harm can only be minimised by establishing a safe system of work. Depending on the individual circumstances, in addition to an employers responsibility towards its employees etc, this may require co-operation between various parties.

We have to ask what is the use of a risk assessment produced prior to work commencing. Realistically it is no more than a contractor's statement of intent, often supporting a method statement, it may (or may not), be a useful indication of competency, but unless the site is well known to the contractor or they are operating, for example, their own specialised equipment, the assessment is not likely to be suitable.

From a practical point of view depending on the degree of control you have over the works, I would look to discuss the content of the assessments with the contractor and require them to review and probably revise their assessments before work commences using the actual circumstances found on site. Is there a reference to agreeing the suitability of risk assessments written into the contract? Contract law is often stronger than H&S law in this respect if the contractor requires reward for the work!

However a key issue is how they intend to communicate the content of the asssessment to their workforce and any subbies they may be using - this is assuming the subbies have their own assessments! Assessments must be constantly under review for significant changes to the work environment, they should be living documents, not static - never changing; and the only way this can occurr is if the workforce understand the principle of "dynamic" risk assessments and the need for change. Training in the principle of risk assessments is essential if risk is to be minimise.

Rgds
Rob

Posted By Homer
Thanks for all the info I won this particular battle.