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#1 Posted : 08 October 2007 19:20:00(UTC)
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Posted By Brian R
Can a company ask someone from outside the business to complete their risk assessments?
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#2 Posted : 08 October 2007 20:10:00(UTC)
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Posted By Alan Nicholls
Brian
The simple answer is yes they can.

There are many areas that require specialist knowledge, so you get someone in who is competent, has that knowledge Bob's your uncle job done.

On the other hand you persuade your company to spend lots of dosh, training you to do all the assessments. Sounds familiar. Bin there done it, works well!!

Regards Alan N
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#3 Posted : 08 October 2007 20:40:00(UTC)
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Posted By Bob Shillabeer
The previous message sounds fine BUT, be careful make sure you have the required knowledge before you sign the risk assessment off. If you don't hold the really required competence get professional assistance, don't guess it it will come back and bite you.
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#4 Posted : 09 October 2007 09:33:00(UTC)
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Posted By Tabs
Any competent person can do them for you - but competence is the key.

They should know how to do risk assessments; they should know your processes; they should know your practices; they should know your policies; they should also observe and consult with those doing the activities; and those managing the processes.

You (the company) should then review the work to see if they (the assessor) seem to have captured the activities and the risks that you are aware of; that the controls suggested are in place or will be put in place; and that the outcomes seem plausible with the knowledge that you have of the industry and practices.

It should be fairly painless, and if I was the assessor you were paying, I would ask you to approve the work after I submitted it to you.
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#5 Posted : 09 October 2007 15:24:00(UTC)
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Posted By Mike Draper
Hmm

This discussion prompts a question in my mind as to which is more competent at say preparing a fire risk assessment?

A chartered safety professional with a diploma and some experience or someone who has completed a short fire risk assessment course?

And where do you draw the line?

The former has of course spent considerably more time studying fire and fire risk assessment than the latter and probably has a greater appreciation of risk and control in general.

The idea of out sourcing to a specialist has some merits, but you shouldn't do it just to off load the responsibility.
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