Risk Assessment and its Importance in the Workplace

The main building block in Europe\’s fight against injuries and illnesses caused by the work place and its conditions is risk assessment.

There is a very solid motive as to why it all relies on these assessments. These assessments which are the whole foundation for health and welfare management, if not executed or poorly executed will make the prevention of accidents and illnesses in the workplace a futile endeavour.

Millions of labourers are injured or face a decline in their health yearly. It is for this reason that risk assessment is imperative in making the workplace a safe and healthy environment. It is an ongoing process that paves way for the setting up of management policies catering to risks in the workplace.

Due to all this, it is imperative that enterprises of all kinds and magnitudes regularly evaluate risk. The correct way to do this is to ensure that all the risks are identified and considered (whether impending or not), the efficiency of the preventive measures evaluated, the evaluation results documented and the evaluations reviewed time and again for improvement.

The European Legislation has the Framework Directive 89/391 specifically designated for risk assessment. National legislations of member states, their employees and employers alike have been given leeway to adjust this directive in any way they see fit to boost the safety levels of their workers. It is for this reason that everyone should know the specific clauses of the Directive in their resident country. All employers and employees have the necessary information and tools they need to carry out these evaluations as described by the Framework Directive 89/391.

Risk assessment can best be described as taking into account the practices or things that can cause injuries or illness to employees and what is being done in their regard. All workers should be protected against any injury or illness that can occur due to the nature and area of their work. These can have a negative impact on their lives and your business as well. Your equipment may cease to function and productivity may also be pushed down. The insurance companies will also charge you more due to these risks. The law requires you have measures in place the only way to do this is to evaluate the risks.

Usually, you will already know what risks are so you can tell which measures you should take. For example, if there is a lot of heavy lifting then you can expect an employee to throw his back. You therefore need to put measures in time.

If you are dealing with a tiny organization then it is not difficult to carry out the risk assessment by yourself and put in the countermeasures. The larger the organization however, the more help you are going to need. It becomes more practical to call in a health and safety expert to do it for you.

As one of UK\’s most experienced providers of CIEH level 2 and consultation we have built a distinguished reputation in the health & safety community. If you or your company is looking to find out more about what we do or CIEH courses please go to our website.

Risk Assessment and its Importance in the Workplace