Risk assessment control measures

The decision of which risk assessment control measures should be put in place to avoid people getting injured is the final step towards another incident-free period. Common-sense is still required from employees but employers should not leave anything up for discussion.

Employers are required to do all that is reasonably practicable to minimise the risk of injury in the workplace. Only once they have exercised care in putting in place necessary preventive measures, once they have identified the hazards and risks relating to the workplace and once they have put appropriate measures in place that make it grossly disproportionate to do more, can they rest assured that very little else can be done.

This should allow companies to run for another incident-free period. Nevertheless, each precautionary measures should be reviewed regularly. Where possible the workplace should be re-designed to reduce risk or a hazardous system of work should be immediately replaced with a less hazardous system, like using mechanical aids to reduce or eliminate the need for manual handling.

A clean and tidy workplace can prevent tripping and slipping; and the replacement of a dangerous substance with a less hazardous substance should also be considered. If the latter is impossible, extracting or containing the hazard at source should be considered, e.g. providing a fume cupboard with an extraction facility.

When these measures fail, companies should review their policies and procedures and especially emergency their planning procedures, including first aid.