Health and Safety Assessments

Risk Assessments

When it comes to risk assessments there are 5 different types qualitive risk assessment, quantitative risk assessment, generic risk assessment, site-specific risk assessment and dynamic risk assessment. Although these are all different bear in mind these can be used together. For example, some parts of each might be present in a single risk assessment.

A health and safety assessment should consider hazards in tasks or activities that are present, the likelihood of harm that could occur and the severity of the harm. It should take these 5 steps:

1. Identify the hazards
2. Decide who might be harmed and how
3. Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions
4. Record your significant findings
5. Review your assessment and update if necessary.

Qualitive Risk Assessment

This is the most common form of risk assessment; this is most commonly used in workplaces. It is based on personal judgment and expertise of the assessor. Often times the assessor uses their own experience but will also consult with others who are carrying out the activity and best practice guidance to reach their decisions. Although a qualitive risk assessment doesn’t involve numbers, the risk is still calculated by severity of harm x likelihood of harm. Just like any other risk assessment high risks are classed as a priority.

Quantitative Risk Assessments

A quantitative risk assessment is used to measure risk by using numerical value. This risk assessment is usually used for major hazards, like aircraft design or nuclear plants. They often assign numbers to different levels of risk, like the 3 x 3 or 5 x 5 matrix. If the risk assessment is still based in the judgement of the assessor assigning risk values, then it doesn’t turn into a quantitative risk assessment as it is still primarily a qualitative risk assessment.

Generic Risk Assessment

Generic risk assessments cover common hazards for a task or activity, as the Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999) require employers to carry out an assessment of risk arising from their work activities. The idea behind is to cut down on duplication of effort and paperwork as it can cover similar hazards across multiple areas of workplace or sites.

Site-Specific Risk Assessments

A site-specific risk assessment is a risk assessment that has been completed for a specific item of work, which takes account of the site-location, environment and people doing the work. Your site-specific risk assessment can be qualitive and quantitative. You could start off with a generic site risk assessment. But you should finish off with a site-specific assessment that is suitable and sufficient for hazards that my be present.

Dynamic Risk Assessment

This is a process of assessing risk in a on the spot situation. It is often used to cope with unknown risks and handling uncertainty. It is mainly used by emergency services or car workers, for example they may need to deal with developing and changing situations and environments. These need to be continually assessed.

Health and Safety Assessments

Here at OJ we can help you whatever health and safety assessment you may need. We pride ourselves on making our work as easy for you as we possibly can taking all the time and effort away from you. Email admin@ojsafety.co.uk for more information on how we can help.