Risk Assessment Policy

Rationale

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires us to do what is ‘reasonable practicable’ to ensure our health and safety at work, and the health and safety of colleagues and others. Case law has shown that in order to do what is ‘reasonably practicable’, an assessment of risk must be carried out and action to limit risk levels to an appropriate level implemented. Regulation 3 of The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 directly requires risk assessment to be undertaken. Several other Regulations contain specific risk assessment responsibilities including:

Ø Noise at Work Regulations 1989

Ø Management Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (as amended);

Ø Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992;

Ø Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations1992

Ø (as amended)

Ø Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002;

Ø Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002,

Ø Control of Lead at Work Regulations 2002.

All staff have duties under the above legislation, and everyone (staff, visitors etc) have responsibilities under the common law general duty of care. Therefore the requirement to carry out risk assessment – and for staff to participate in this action is nothing new.

If staff do not participate in risk assessment the result will be ineffective and not meet with legal requirements. Staff are not expected to be hazard spotting/risk assessment professionals, but they are required to let their line managers know of any health and safety limitations in line with any training, information, instruction or experiences they have had.

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Act Regulations 1999 directly stop an employer from defending against criminal action by blaming a member of staff, although the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can prosecute any individual within an organisation. The HSE will always target ‘the guilty person’.

The aim of the risk assessment procedure is to methodically identify significant risks, prioritise action to reduce this risk and therefore protect people, property and harm.

Risk assessment is a legal requirement – the HSE can prosecute, imprison or fine individuals for non compliance with the risk assessment duty. Insurers will expect evidence of risk assessments in order to defend any claim. If we cannot show such evidence, the likelihood of successfully defending claims are small.

Definitions

Hazard – anything that can cause harm (e.g. chemicals, electricity, slippery floor etc).

Risk – the chance high or low, that somebody will be harmed by the hazard.

Conduct of Risk Assessments
Assessments are conducted by the Health and Safety Co-ordinator, Nursery Manager, or other competent persons.( Natasha Perry)

Nature of Risk Assessments
Assessments detect important risks, such as defects and deficiencies, and prescribe corrective action, i.e. risk control measures.

Thorough risk assessment require answers to such questions as the following:

• What hazards are we faced with?
• Who might be harmed and how?
• Are the existing precautions enough, or should other action be taken?
• How can the risks be reduced to an acceptable level?
• Can effective measures be implemented now?
• If not, what contingency plans will serve us best for the time being?

Hazard	Who might be harmed?	Is more needed to control the risk?
Look only for hazards which you could reasonably expect to result in significant harm in your work place. Use the following as examples: · Slipping/tripping hazards e.g. poorly maintained floors or stairs · Fire e.g. from flammable materials · Chemicals e.g. battery acid · Moving parts of machinery e.g. blades · Work at height e.g. from the mezzanine floor · Ejection of material e.g. from plastic moulding · Pressure systems e.g. steam boilers · Vehicles e.g. fork lift trucks · Electricity e.g. poor wiring · Dust e.g. from grinding · Fumes e.g. from welding · Noise e.g. from machinery · Poor lighting · Low temperature	There is no need to list individuals by name just think about the groups of people who may be affected e.g. · Office staff · Maintenance personnel · Contractors · People sharing your work place · Operators · Cleaners · Members of the public Pay particular attention to: · Staff with disabilities · Visitors · Children · Inexperienced staff · Loan workers They may be more vulnerable.	For the hazards listed do the precautions already taken: · Meet the standards set by legal requirement? · Comply with a recognised industry standard? · Reduce risk as far as is reasonably possible? Have you provided: · Adequate information, instruction or training? · Safety codes or procedures? If so, then the risks are adequately controlled, but you need to indicate the precautions that you have in place (refer to safety codes or procedures etc where applicable). Where the risk is not adequately controlled, indicate what more you need to do as an action list.

Review and Revision

Set a date for the review of the assessment.

On review check that the precautions for each hazard still adequately control the risk. If not indicate the action needed. Note the outcome. If necessary complete a new page for your risk assessment.

Making changes in your workplace, e.g. when bringing in new:

· Equiptment/ toys

· Substances

· Procedures

· New activities/ resources

They may introduce new hazards for which a risk assessment will be conducted.

Each assessment is written up on a standard format, for the ease of all concerned.

Frequency of Risk Assessments
Assessments are carried out inside and outside the building and for off site activities. The type of areas where risk assessments should be carried out are shown on the Risk Assessment Indicator Sheet. The frequency of risk assessments are normally carried out, weekly, monthly, termly, six-monthly or on an annual basis depending on the area/activity requiring assessment. However, additional risk assessments are completed due to factors such as:

• the nature of activities;
• changes in activities;
• changes in staff/personnel;
• changes in staff circumstances (e.g. pregnancy)
• prior to starting a task or project and cover the implementation, use, cleaning, maintenance, disassembly or removal of equipment and structures.
  
  

The risk assessment process for educational visits follows a separate policy procedure.

Reporting Procedures for Risk Assessment Outcomes
The results of the risk assessment are reported initially to the Health and Safety Co-ordinator and Nursery Manager and then to the Board of Directors.

Reporting Procedures for Newly-Identified Hazards
All staff are conscious of the need to report significant new hazards as soon as they are identified. All staff in turn are notified immediately of any major new hazard that has been reported.

Display of Risk Assessments
When ever a major new hazard is identified, it is highlighted on the corresponding assessment form and displayed in the main offices (Children’s Centre & School) and staff rooms (Children’s Centre & School). Assessments for specific places, such as the plant room or the laundry room etc, are displayed where they apply.

Record Keeping

Records will be kept in the nursery Hallway in a Risk Assessment File. They must be kept:

· For reference and use.

© 2010