List the sections you will find in a risk assessment and the reasons for each different section

The health and safety executive suggests the following five-point process.

1. Look for hazards – Hazards are anything that puts yours or others health and safety at risk. Carefully examine your workplace environment and identify any hazards then make record of them, this could be by looking around the workplace or asking other staff members etc.

2. Decide who might be at harm and how – Think about the staff, clients, relatives, visitors and the general public.

3. Evaluate the risks arising from the hazards and decide what can be done to control them – After finding the hazards carefully consider the risks they pose.  Can the risks be reduced? How can the risks be controlled? Put precautions in place to minimize the risk. Even though risks cannot be completely stopped the severity of them can be reduced.

4. Record your findings and implement them – All workplaces should fill out a risk assessment form for all findings and it should include the following;

• Checks have been made into all identified hazards
• Hazards have been dealt with, reduced or controlled
• The number of people affected have been considered
• Precautions have been taken to reduce risks

5. Review your assessment from time to time and revise if necessary – Writing down hazards and risks doesn’t cut it they need to be reassessed frequently especially as technology changes and new equipment may be used.