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Individual Risk Assessments

We offer the following individual risk assessments:

  • Personal Evacuation Plans (PEEPs)
  • Expectant Mothers Evacuation Plans
  • Animal Evacuation Plans
  • Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Assessments

 

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 require employers to implement effective arrangements for emergency evacuation for all employees including those who may need some assistance to manage their escape to a place of safety.

For instance, you may identify one is needed for someone with:

  • Mobility impairment
  • Sight impairment
  • Hearing impairment
  • Cognitive impairment
  • Mental Health/Psychological issues
  • A medical condition or injury which might cause them to need assistance to evacuate safely
  • A temporary disability such as a broken leg

 

Each person’s disability and needs are different and therefore each person requiring a plan needs one specific to their own requirements.

Staff members with a PEEP in place and who regularly use different buildings may need to have a separate plan for each building.

Our bespoke Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans covers the impact a condition or disability may impede evacuation, methods of alerting someone to the need to evacuate and any additional evacuation equipment that may be required.

New Expectant Mothers

This cohort includes those who are pregnant, have given birth in the last six months or are currently breastfeeding. When an employee has informed you that they are a new or expectant mother, the existing health and safety risk assessment should immediately be checked for any known risks that could affect them. In doing this you must take account of any medical recommendations provided by their doctor or midwife.

You must also carry out an individual risk assessment, that covers your worker’s specific needs, when they have informed you in writing that they:

  • are pregnant
  • are breastfeeding, or
  • have given birth in the last 6 months

 

You must regularly review your worker’s individual risk assessment as the pregnancy progresses and/or if there are any significant changes to the workplace or activity making any necessary adjustments.

Our custom-written new or expectant mother risk assessments involve a direct conversation with the employee concerned and an assessment of their working areas and practices. The final report includes a display screen equipment assessment and an action plan of measures agreed ready for regular reviews.

Pet-Friendly Offices

There is no specific legislation relating to the keeping or bringing of pet animals into the workplace, although the Health and Safety at Work Act does require the employer to ensure the safety, health and welfare, so far as is reasonably practicable, of its personnel and others.

Our animal risk assessments are written with each animal in mind and covers the following:

  • Determines and defines responsibility for the animal’s welfare and behaviour
  • Considers impact on dogs in season and un-neutered dogs
  • Appropriate methods for warning of the animal’s presence
  • Cleaning and disinfecting of dog’s bedding and toys
  • Safe storage of dog food, bedding, toys, etc
  • Emergency evacuation planning for safety of both the animal and evacuees

Display Screen Equipment (DSE) assessments

It is the employer’s responsibility to protect employees from the health risks of working with display screen equipment. This includes personal computers, laptops, tablets and smartphones. The legislation however only applies to those employees who use the equipment daily or for more than an hour at a time and not those who use the equipment infrequently or for a short time.

In law, a Display Screen Equipment assessment must be conducted with any risks reduced such as encouraging and facilitating screen breaks, anti-glare screens, providing mouse or keypads, footrests or additional back support. Eye tests must also be provided and funded for these employees should they request one. All staff must be trained and provided information on safe DSE use as part of their induction.

For those working from home, the company has the same health and safety responsibilities as those workers in the offices. Coupled with the training and supervision needed to complete their duties remotely, the employer must implement control measures to protect the homeworker.

The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 protect DSE
users. DSE users are workers who habitually use a workstation/DSE equipment for a significant time (generally more than an hour a day or regular use) in order to complete their work. The Regulations also apply to DSE users who work at home or remotely, contractors and temporary workers. Under these regulations, employers must:

  • Carry out a risk assessment for each DSE user at their workstation. This will
    identify hazards and evaluate any risks. A clear record of the assessment
    and its findings should be kept and reviewed.
  • Take measures to reduce risk
  • Make provision for eye tests with an optician.
  • Ensure regular breaks are taken
  • Provide adequate training and information for all staff identified as a DSE
    user.