Regardless of the type of business you have and the industry that you work in, you need to do a risk assessment. A risk assessment is there to protect you, your employees and your business. Under the Management of Health and Safety Work Regulations 1999, doing a risk assessment is a legal requirement for most businesses in the UK. The aim of a risk assessment is to identify potential risks in the workplace, control hazards and find solutions to protect everyone during the day to day running of the company. Below, we have taken a look at the ins and outs of risk assessments, and why you need one.
Why Are Risk Assessments Important?
There is no knowing when something could go wrong at work and hazards could put you, your employees or your business at risk. However, a risk assessment will highlight any concerns, giving you the chance to identify and evaluate any potential problems before they happen. Without a risk assessment, it’s likely that many risks will be overlooked until it’s too late.
Do I Need a Risk Assessment?
If you are an employer, you need a risk assessment. This is especially important if your work is bound by specific regulations, such as businesses in construction, as a risk assessment will determine if you are operating in the right way. Though you might not initially think that your workplace is a danger to others – such as a small office or a boutique retail store – a risk assessment should always be carried out, as small risks could become a big problem should something go wrong.
Who Can Carry Out a Risk Assessment?
As an employer, it is your responsibility to carry out a thorough risk assessment. You need to look at everything that could be a potential hazard to others. For example, computer wires running along the floor could trip a member of staff up, or a slippery part of a shop floor could cause a customer to fall. Poorly lit areas, chemicals, heavy materials, ladders are also examples of potential risks.
What Does a Risk Assessment Cover?
A risk assessment covers a whole host of different things, and this changes depending on the type of business that you have. The things that a risk assessment looks at range from making sure the workplace is safe for employees, clients and customers, to ensuring that equipment is safe to use.
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Regardless of the type of business you have and the industry that you work in, you need to do a risk assessment. A risk assessment is there to protect you, your employees and your business. Under the Management of Health and Safety Work Regulations 1999, doing a risk assessment is a legal requirement for most businesses in the UK. The aim of a risk assessment is to identify potential risks in the workplace, control hazards and find solutions to protect everyone during the day to day running of the company. Below, we have taken a look at the ins and outs of risk assessments, and why you need one.
