Health & Safety Risk Assessments
The main pieces of legislation dealing with different aspects of health and safety are the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. These two acts set the standards for all health and safety in the UK workplace.
The Health & Safety at Work Act places a duty on employers to take responsibility for the health and safety of their employees at work “as far as is reasonably practicable”. An employer’s responsibilities under this act include the following:
- Provide and maintain safe systems of work.
- Provide adequate health and safety induction and training.
- Maintain safe work equipment.
- Ensure safe operation of working equipment.
- Ensure adequate welfare provisions are made.
- Provide a safe place of work. This includes safe access and egress.
- Ensure any materials are handled, transported, used and stored safely.
- Communicate with safety representatives.
- Provide PPE or any other equipment needed in the interests of health and safety including aids such as wrist supports and footrests for example.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 places a duty on employers to assess and manage risk. Specifically, they require employers to do the following:
- Manage risk in the workplace by carrying out risk assessments.
- Take action to reduce or eliminate risks.
- Appoint a ‘competent person’ to oversee health and safety in the workplace.
- Provide staff with information and training with regards to safe working practice.
- Have a health and safety policy in place.
Our Health & Safety Risk assessments involve a comprehensive examination of the work activities and workplaces that could cause harm or injury, taking the above into account and covers the following areas to help you ensure compliance:
- Vulnerable Occupants
- Working Practices at workstations
- Equipment Use and storage
- First aid provision and accident reporting
- Staff Welfare
- Environmental elements
- Structural elements
