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Posted By SeanThompson
Iv just taken over a health and safety position and my predecessor did the risk assessments separate for each piece of machinery. I think it would be far easier to do a risk assessment for each area (e.g. workshop, offices etc). A lot of the hazards come up for each machine when it can be covered by the area risk assessment.
Whats peoples thoughts on this and how do they do it?
Many thanks
Sean
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Posted By Catman
Hi Sean
You need to ask yourself....
Would the work area risk assessment pick up the specific risks from each Machine?
Would the actual operation of each machine be covered?
I have tried both methods you mention separately and have now ended up using both methods together.
The general work area assessment covers the area risks created by the interaction of activities. (for everyone entering the area)
The task specific risk assessments cover the actual operation of each machine. (for the machine operators)
The two together ensure nothing is missed and in my experience are actually simpler to manage and implement than one large assessment covering everything.
Having said that, there are many ways to approach this depending on the size of your workplace and what you do.
Cheers
TW
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Posted By Booney
Sean,
I believe what you need to ask yourself is will the RA be suitable and sufficient if it's not done individually for each machine? I agree there are common hazards that are associated with the use of machines but there are also more specific individual hazards that need to be looked at.
In answer to your question, I have done individual RA's for each of the machines we have on site.
I hope this helps
Kind Regards
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Posted By holmezy
Sean,
when I have done them for similar areas in the past, I have done 1 risk assessment for the overall area, covering things like workers, visitors, traffic, etc. Then I tried to group similar machines or operations, ie all centre lathes, all milling machines, all paint sprayers, all tractors, etc into "families" and did a risk assessment to cover each family. Anyspecific machine or process that didn't fit into the "families" (and this is where you need to be honest and not take the easy route!!) I then did a specific RA for. It may be that some of the family members also have add on specifics to cover slight variations. It sounds like a lot of work, but actually its quite easy to do and manage as well as being suitable and sufficient. But then anything can be suitable and sufficient, until you have the accident, so spend some time doing them and try and cover all significant risks, and then hope something doesnt bite you later!!
Much the same as the other posts realy....
Holmezy
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Posted By Hilary Charlton
I use individual risk assessments for each machine not only because the risks can be slightly different for each machine, but because I take the operator into account as well and definitely, every operator is different.
My opinion, therefore, is to stick with the method your predecessor used, on this at least, there will be many numerous and varied ways you can make your mark but this may not be the best one to start with.
Hilary
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Posted By SeanThompson
Thanks for everyone's input. it looks like i'm going to stick with specific risk assessments for each machine but i will have a general one for the areas as well, to cover things like slips and trips etc.
Many thanks
Sean
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