Importance of a Risk Assessment Plan

Posted by Steven Main on May 5th, 2016

The procedures of risk assessments are undertaken to identify potential hazards, or risks, involved in various types of businesses. The main aim of risk assessment is to take actions to reduce or remove these possible risks. For most businesses, it becomes essential to legally record risk assessment for the purpose of Health and Safety and Fire Protection, and many of the business owners will require carrying it out for a security concern. For businesses engaging 5 or more employees it is legally binding to carry out risk assessment on a regular basis.

You will require health and safety risk assessment plan to cover almost all aspects of that business, both on and off business premises. It is generalized planning that is specific to industries and environments covering things such as lifting and handling of hazardous chemicals to machinery. Installing fire alarms and avoiding court-ordered fines becomes mandatory for places falling within high risk of fire mishaps. Security risk assessment plans are mostly undertaken to protect both staff and property. The plans look for potentially vulnerable points, access control and alarm systems and makes certain that the company owns and uses improved locks, access controls, security systems or CCTV systems.

The risk assessment plans formulated by safety consultants on a professional level include identification of hazards, employees and staff likely to be affected by the risk factor and evaluate risks and choose on steps and precautions to reduce or eliminate the risks. Safety consultants undertake the responsibility to record the findings and implement measures to solve them. Updated assessment is essential because risks change according to time and functions so reviewing the plans regularly and updating them are necessary.

Manual Handling Risk Assessment is one of the most common types of health and safety activities that include several activities such as lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling or carrying. To avoid hazardous handling of the load or moving object by automated task or manually it is necessary to take appropriate measures to avert any risk if present. Workers lifting large loads of materials often face the issues of back injuries and thus using lifting and handling equipment to reduce the risk of injury and keeping workers risk free and healthy is the responsibility of the employers.

OHS management system consultant team of Steve Main is popular for offering compliance audit to wide range of industries, small, medium and large organizations. Since more than 30+ years now the company serves as a single source for satisfying the needs of the organizations related to their Occupational Health and Safety management plans, Manual Handling, Risk Assessment, Occupational Hygiene, Equality advice, Fire Risk and Training.