This generic risk assessment summarizes hazards engineers may face during inspections of disused mines and tips. Key hazards include: live traffic, driving accidents, drowning in watercourses, confined spaces, contaminated materials, falling, sharp objects, poor lighting, animal attacks, medical emergencies, and collisions with off-road vehicles. Existing controls include high visibility clothing, safe parking, inspections from river banks, prohibiting entry into confined spaces or water over 150mm deep, first aid training, and assessing locations for hazards. Further actions include identifying slip/trip hazards, finding areas with mobile phone reception, and checking lone workers' medical conditions.

1. Form Reference: BM-NCS-1 GENERIC RISK ASSESSMENT
Form Format Date: September 2007 Engineering
Activity / Workplace Assessed: Inspections of Disused Mines & Tips
Location / Department: NCS-Engineering [HOG]
Persons consulted / involved in risk assessment: Manager – Engineer – H&S Officer BMS-NCS Risk Assessment Reference Number: RA-GEN-ENGINEERING-12
Date: September 2010 Review Due Date: September 2011
Reviewed On: New Assessment Reviewed By:
People at risk and Risk rating
what is the risk Completion
Describe the harm that Multiply
Further action required Actioned Due date:
date:
Likelihood
Significant is likely to result from the What is required to bring the risk When will
Severity
(L) x (S) to: Initial and date
Hazard (* see hazard (e.g. cut, broken Existing control measures to produce down to an acceptable level? Use the action
Who will once the
prompt list below – leg, chemical burn etc.) What is currently in place to control the risk? Risk Rating hierarchy of control described in be
complete action has
not exhaustive) and who could be (RR) guidance note when considering complete
the controls needed. the action? by? been
harmed (e.g.
completed
employees, contractors, L S RR L/M/H
visitors etc.)
Live traffic Engineers being hit by Park car/van in safe location. 1 3 3 Med
vehicles are very likely Wear high visibility clothing.
to suffer serious, Stay on verge or footpath
perhaps fatal injury.
Driving to / from Engineers may suffer SSOW-GEN-ENGINEERING-15 [Driving] 1 3 3 Med .
locations serious injury or fatality
following a road traffic
accident
Rivers and other Engineers may fall into Staff instructed not to enter watercourse. 1 3 3 Med
water courses water are very likely to Inspections to be carried out from a safe
greater than suffer serious, perhaps position on the river bank.
150mm in depth fatal injury, or Return to office for advice/instruction if further
drowning access required.
Watercourses The watercourse is to be probed to confirm 1 3 3 Med
150mm or less in depth and there is a firm bed before entering.
depth The watercourse should only be entered if
absolutely necessary and is slow moving and
the bed is firm.
Suitable footwear to be worn.
If in any doubt do not enter and return to
Penmaen office for advice/instruction if
further access required.
RA-GEN-ENGINEERING-12 Page 1 of 4

2. Form Reference: BM-NCS-1 GENERIC RISK ASSESSMENT
Form Format Date: September 2007 Engineering
Significant People at risk and Risk rating Actioned Completion
Existing control measures Further action required Due date:
Hazard what is the risk L S RR L/M/H to: date:
Confined spaces Engineers may suffer Engineers instructed not to enter any confined 1 3 3 Med
serious injury or fatality space. Only employees trained in confined
due to lack of oxygen, space work are allowed to work in confined
gases, etc. spaces, and with a minimum of two persons.
Return to Penmaen office for
advice/instruction if further access required
Contaminated Contact with Good hygiene practice to be observed by staff 1 2 2 Low
water or materials contaminated water i.e. wash hands if facilities are available.
may pose a health risk Wear appropriate PPE as necessary e.g.
to staff boots, rubber gloves. Cover any existing cut
or scratch.
Carry warning card on leptospirosis.
Hepatitis A inoculation if considered
necessary.
Steep Engineers may receive Appropriate safety footwear to be worn. 1 3 3 Med
embankments, serious injuries and If in doubt do not descend/ascend steep
uneven ground, possible fatality if falling slopes/embankments.
ditches and voids. from height down, Return to office for advice/instruction if
Falling and lying shafts, adits, etc. further access required.
injured and un- Take mobile phone and indicate destination
noticed on site and where applicable approximate time of
return on office destination board or advise a
colleague or manager.
Phone in to report finished and going home if
not returning to the office.
Remind member of team taking message to
amend destination board details
Slippery underfoot Engineers may suffer The Engineer assesses the location and takes 1 3 3 Med Identify any slip, trip or fall Engineer As On-going
conditions, loose serious injury or fatality appropriate action to prevent accidents. hazards before going into the appropriate
rocks, if slipping, tripping or As this assessment is generic, not all location area or check as going along
obstructions, steep falling hazards can be covered. taking appropriate action where
inclines, etc. necessary.
RA-GEN-ENGINEERING-12 Page 2 of 4

3. Form Reference: BM-NCS-1 GENERIC RISK ASSESSMENT
Form Format Date: September 2007 Engineering
Significant People at risk and Risk rating Actioned Completion
Existing control measures Further action required Due date:
Hazard what is the risk L S RR L/M/H to: date:
Sharp objects – Engineers may suffer Staff advised to be aware of discarded 1 3 3 Med
needles, barbed serious illness if in needles. Wear appropriate PPE, e.g. safety
wire, etc. contact with infected boots and gloves.
needles, also suffer Do not climb over barbed wire.
cuts, etc. from sharp
wire
Dark or poor light Staff may suffer varying Engineers do not at disused mines and tips 1 3 3 Med .
conditions injuries due to slip, trip, during hours of darkness or poor lighting
fall or physical violence conditions.
Work normally carried out during daylight hours
Accident/ Employees may suffer Ensure a signal can be obtained at the location 1 3 3 Med Find a location where mobile Engineer As On-going
Emergency. (No serious injuries, ill- where work is to be carried out phone signal can be received appropriate
signal on mobile health or fatality Mobile phones or means of communication to be before starting work
phone) made available. Ensure mobile phone is fully
charged
Animals (Dogs, Engineers may suffer Engineers should avoid entering fields with 1 3 3 Med Alternative routes should be Engineer As On-going
Cattle, etc.) injuries or illness or in livestock in them and take care to avoid livestock considered. appropriate
the worst case scenario with young. Leave field gates as they are found If appropriate Tetanus injection
rabies or other animal and do not enter a field with cattle in it at dusk / should be kept up-to date.
infections dawn or at night
Persons with Engineers may Engineers must inform their manager, supervisor 1 3 3 Med Check that lone workers do not Manager As On-going
medical condition encounter ill health or if they have a medical condition which may be a have medical conditions that appropriate
which may have fatality due to problem when working alone or when carting out make them unsuitable for working
an impact when insufficient medication certain tasks. alone (seek occupational medical
working alone Lone working medical questionnaire (appendix 2 advice if necessary).
– Management Arrangement - Lone Working) Carry sufficient medication and be
issued to Engineers to determine whether aware where it can be bought or
medical issues may affect them when working obtained if supplies run out.
alone. Diabetics should ensure sufficient
food / medication is carried in
See Lone Working RA - case there is a delay in returning.
RA-GEN-ENGINEERING-12 Page 3 of 4

4. Form Reference: BM-NCS-1 GENERIC RISK ASSESSMENT
Form Format Date: September 2007 Engineering
Significant People at risk and Risk rating Actioned Completion
Existing control measures Further action required Due date:
Hazard what is the risk L S RR L/M/H to: date:
Public using Engineers may suffer Engineers to observe the area for signs that 1 3 3 Med Look for tracks and the routes
disused mine / tip serious injury or fatality the location has or is being used for they take. Listen for engine
for off-road if struck by motorcycle bike/quad riding activities. sounds in the vicinity
motorcycle / quad or quad bike Do not walk along paths, etc, which indicate
bike riding that motorcycle/quad bike use and that lead
to a brow of a hill where oncoming vehicles
cannot be observed.
Original Risk Assessor(s): New assessment.
Risk Assessor(s) R. Lewis Signature(s) Designation: Health & Safety Officer BMS / NCS
RA-GEN-ENGINEERING-12 Page 4 of 4