This document provides an introduction to risk assessments, including what they are, why they should be done, what information they should include, who is responsible for completing them, and answers frequently asked questions about risk assessments. A risk assessment carefully examines potential hazards and risks in an organization's work to ensure proper precautions have been taken to prevent harm. They are a legal requirement and help reduce liability, costs from claims/prosecutions, and uphold the moral duty of care owed to employees and others. Standard risk assessments templates are available to assist the process.

1. INTRODUCTION
RISK
ASSESSMENT

2. What is a Risk Assessment?
 A Risk Assessment is simply a
careful examination of what, in
your work, could cause harm to
people, so that you can weigh up
whether you have taken enough
precautions or should do more to
prevent harm.

3. Why should we do Risk
Assessments ?
 Legal – requirement by law - under the
Management of Health and Safety at Work
Regulations and individual organisations
health and safety policies required under the
Health and Safety at Work
 Financial – less chance of claims and
prosecutions
 Moral – Duty of care owed to all Employees
and others affected by our work

4. What information should a
Risk Assessment include ?
1. Hazards (what could go wrong)
2. People at Risk (who might be harmed)
3. Control measures at present (have enough
precautions been taken)
4. Further action required (should more be
done)
5. Record details and keep the assessment
under review

5. Who is responsible for doing the
risk assessments ?
Your Organisations will outline who is
responsible for completing the risk
assessments.
Heads of individual departments will most
likely be responsible for ensuring that all
reasonably foreseeable significant risks are
assessed and managed effectively. There
will also be a line of accountability to the
CRO(Chief Risk officer) and Governing Body
outlined in the policy.

6. Are there any standard Risk
Assessments available to use ?
Yes – there are lots of examples and
models available to get you started or
assist the process.

7. What risks exist in and
around the Equipment ?
Examples include:
Safeguarding, supervision of employees and site security
During testing under Load
Use, handling, storage and transport of articles and substances
equipment etc.
Use of equipment e.g. electronic Instruments
Use of software / embedded Software
Use of Systems –
Mechanical/Hydraulic/Pneumatic/electrical/electronics etc.
Use of wrong design/wrong process/wrong materials in
Defence machinery

8. Risk Assessments
Attitudes to risk vary greatly between individuals so a
group or team approach as opposed to an individual
approach is a better practice when assessing risk and
establishing safe working practices.

9. Reduce not eliminate
A common misperception to risk is that it
should be eliminated.
We should be taking well managed and
planned risks, not eliminating all of them
wherever possible !
However in extreme cases elimination is the
only solution or answer.

10. What if we get it wrong ?
There is no such thing as a perfect risk assessment. We all
make mistakes and have errors of judgement, once you
discover that something isn’t right, rectify it.
Risk assessments are living documents and should be
amended to move with progress and change.

11. How often should risk
assessments be reviewed ?
The law/contract requires that risk
assessments should be reviewed
periodically, it is up to the employer to
decide on frequency (most risk
assessments are reviewed annually at
least).
Risk assessments must also be reviewed
if there is a significant incident or major
Impact in operation of equipment

12. Where can we get advice
from ?
Designers
Process owners
Manufacturing Engineers
Industrial Engineers
Customers
Environment specialists
Vendors/Subcontractors/Suppliers