Posted By Bob Shillabeer The company I work for aska specific question about H&S of all external bodies they use including hotels etc. The employer has a duty to seek such information as necessary for them to satisfy themselves that they do not send employees into a dangerous place. How that is done is by asking the question of the operator of the other work place what risks have been identified and how are they controlled. Do that ansd see what response you get, I suspect not a lot will be forthcoming but general assessments by those attending should be enough. If they consider it to be too dangerous they won't go there.

Posted By Neil R There is no requirement to risk assess. If your going to a hotel/ university etc you are using there facilities and therefore they are responsible for your safety while you are there.

Posted By Bob Youel off site / on site - there is no difference as if a person is working then their employer must manage them and undertaking an appropriate risk assessment is part of the process

Posted By Andy Petrie I'd say it's a bit over the top to do one, you're buying a service off these people and they should do the RA for all reasonable activities. Do you do risk assessments when you order sandwiches in for a meeting or when you're going on a train for work business? (I hope not)

Posted By Merv Newman If, as I have done often in the past, I am organising a meeting off-site then it is my responsibility to Risk Assess that site. The site may have completed it's own RA (hohoho) but nothing beats a personal visit. You may even be offered a free pint or a meal, (once a weekend for two), which would offer the opportunity of a more in-depth evaluation of pricing policy, food hygiene and service. (acceptacceptaccept!)(but remain unbiased. Of course) I have once condemned the most expensive hotel in town on hygiene (much to the chagrin of my plant manager who fancied (and later married) the owner's wife) and approved the cheapest (Formule 1) On conference centers, I recommend two walk-arounds. One on the inside to check corridors, sign posting, emergency exits and so on, the second around the outside of the building. Again emergency exits but also storage of materials outside/against the building. OK, think fire exits. But don't forget the rats. Finally, the stage. WAH here, Ladies and Gentlemen. Could an excited speaker fall into the pits ? Any cables crossing the speakers walk area ? (you really do not want to fall flat on your face while talking safety) (well, some of us do but that is just for dramatic effect) I well remember going down on my knees, in front of 500 people, to tape down the cable to my OH projector. Got a round of applause. Enough said. Anyone need a RA for their next meeting in the Seychelles ? Merv

Posted By Bob Youel On site off site - My comments do asume that common sense is present as sending somebody to a nuclear power station does not mean that you undertake an RA of their site but it may mean that an RA re the way that a person arrives at the site is needed as once they are there they should take over Such an RA can usually take seconds but if that person drives ovenight to get there and then works all day and then drives back [ which is not an unusual situation!]a real RA is needed! If somebody posts a letter for the business on their way home from work [ after they have clocked off] its best to evaluate just where they post that letter as some areas in big citys are not as safe as others!

Posted By Phil Rose I can't help but agree with Raymond. Does going to a conference need a formal risk assessment? Come on lets be realistic, practical and pragmatic about it! I don't know how I have survived for so long! Phil

Posted By LAB123 We ask volunteers to carry out our services for e.g. training at all sorts of venues including old church halls, community centres, schools etc in both rural and urban environments and we ask service managers to carry out a risk assessment for the venue by either (1) visiting and carrying out an inspection or (2) where this is not possible getting as much information from the venue. The biggest problem we face is that managers like to use a generic risk assessment and not bother assessing the real hazards associated with that particular venue because risk assessment is seen as extra work for them and not part of service delivery!

Posted By Rachel W-D Thanks everyone for your input on this topic. I have to say the amount of people 'poo-pooing' RA's is pretty worrying considering you are probably the highest trained H&S professionals in your workplace. I just hope if any of you are taken to court after an incident that you do have adequate RA's in place.

Posted By Raymond Rapp Rachel Further to Phil's comments, I would like to add that different practitioners view risks differently - does not make them wrong or right. That said, I believe in managing risks according to their severity and treat trivial risks accordingly. That may be because I work in the rail/construction industry where risks can be very high if not managed properly. Hence I too busy trying to save peoples' lives!

Posted By Andy Petrie By saying you don't need to see the conference centre's RA you have in fact just done a RA. I assessed the low level of risk and assumed the conference centres management system would provide adequate controls. There's no need for me to do any more or to even right this down. I am a proffessional and do this sort of thing all the time, if there's a court case that would be my defence.