Risk assessments have been a legal requirement for over a decade. Where an organisation employs five or more persons, assessments must be documented and encompass the full range of activities carried out.

Asbestos

Changes to the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations were introduced in May 2004 and carry a new (important) requirement for the occupiers or operators of premises to assess the risks from asbestos within those premises. From this assessment, a plan to manage any asbestos found MUST be produced and routines to advise persons who may be affected by it (often the occupants and any maintenance workers) must be devised.

In all cases, IT MUST BE ASSUMED that asbestos is present in premises unless there is positive evidence to the contrary. In general terms, ALL premises built before 1999 will need at least a ‘first level’ asbestos survey. Premises built prior to 1986 are likely to need more thorough investigation, although the first level survey is still necessary. *Prince’s do not carry out asbestos assessments or surveys they must be carried out by specialist contractors.

Consultation with Employees

Information and consultation with employees in respect of health and safety is a legal requirement. This is often achieved through the appointment of safety representatives who act on behalf of employees and assist the management of the organisation to achieve good health and safety standards. Alternative routines are permissible, but all staff must be fully informed in respect of health and safety matters at all times.

Control of Contractors

The assessment of sub contractors is crucial to the protection of the employer of sub-contractors. The majority of organisations use subcontractors, often regularly or even as a permanent fixture. Typically, the appointment of vehicle valetors within the motor industry will lead to subcontract companies sighting staff permanently on dealership premises. Other examples of subcontract activities would include window cleaning, premises maintenance, signage installation etc…

Many organisations do not adequately control subcontractors, leading to accidents and subsequent (often substantial) compensation claims against the employing organisation. In almost all situations where a subcontractor is employed and permitted to work on company premises the employer of the subcontractor is largely responsible for the safe conduct of that work. This can often include a need to provide first aid facilities and similar infrastructure (electricity supply, water etc…) not immediately obvious to the casual observer.

The assessment, evaluation and selection of subcontractors is therefore a process that should be carried out with the utmost care. It is time consuming and often difficult for an employer to operate such systems of assessment in house, by using Prince’s who are frequently engaged in this activity and have comprehensive systems to provide rapid, accurate assessment you will save both time and anxiety.

COSHH

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 affect almost all industries, for instance: the retail motor trade use substances which must be assessed within workshops, bodyshops, parts departments, valet operations, and even office or showroom areas. Additionally, parts departments are legally obliged to provide material safety data sheets (MSDS) on request to anyone who purchases a product that falls within the regulations.

In many instances, a retail outlet such as franchised motor dealership is either provided with data sheets by the manufacturer, or is easily able to access them via computer links with the manufacturer. This DOES NOT meet legal requirements for COSHH risk assessment, as the specific usage and storage risks have not been assessed for the organisation concerned, nor has consideration been given to the possible effects of exposure to a combination of substances used in the work area. <top>

Display Screen Esquipment (DSE)

In recent years, organisations of all sizes have become increasingly dependent on the use of computers. There are many more employees involved in the day-to-day use of display screens than there have been in the past and the need to rapidly include greater number of workstations within an often-confined environment has brought its own problems.

Poor workstation design, layout or even adjustment frequently leads to muscular skeletal disorders, fatigue and poor work performance. The Display Screen Equipment Regulations, 1992 require that all workstations are assessed for adequacy and records maintained.

Training for use of DSE is also vitally important, as users often move between workstations or operate more than one piece of equipment in their work area, and the correct adjustment of chairs, monitors etc… can often prevent problems from developing.

DSEAR

The Dangerous Substances Explosive Atmospheres Regulations were introduced during 2002 and replaced various other pre-existing legislation dealing with this subject. Risk assessment is required to identify and classify areas of the workplace where explosive atmospheres may occur and to avoid ignition sources (i.e. from unprotected equipment) in those areas; perhaps by ‘zoning’ work areas.

Electrical Safety

In most industries (except for heavy industries) the mains electrical installation will require a thorough inspection, to determine its fitness for continued service at intervals not greater than five years. Records must be held on site and any remedial actions identified within the report should be completed.

Additionally, portable appliance should be tested (PAT) at intervals identified in your risk assessment.

Fire

Although there are different pieces of legislation in place, the responsibilities in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are largely the same. The primary legislation in England and Wales is the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

As with all modern safety legislation, risk assessment is at the centre of fire safety and has been a legal obligation for a number of years. Our fire specialist is an ex-Fire Safety Officer and has many years of experience, having carried out fire risk assessments in a variety of workplace environments including vehicle dealerships, factories, warehouses, care homes, offices and shops.

Current legislation places the onus of fire safety within premises on the occupiers or operators of those premises. Adequate assessment of fire risks is an absolute essential, as is the routine review and update of any existing Fire Risk Assessment. Prince’s have substantial experience in producing professionally written Fire Risk Assessments specific to your premises and operations.

First Aid

First aid cover must be available, to assist employees who become ill or injured in the workplace. Sufficient trained First Aiders must be employed to ensure that cover is available whenever the premises are open. Adequate supplies of first aid materials must be maintained.

Fumes

Fumes may be toxic, or merely a nuisance, but in most cases will have an affect on the health of those breathing them. The use of proprietary forced ventilation or fume extraction systems (engineering controls) is usually recommended. As an alternative and in certain circumstances, air sampling may be used to confirm that the quality of breathing air is satisfactory.

Lifting Equipment

Lifting equipment includes fork lift truck (FLT), passenger carrying lifts, vehicle lifts and all other lifts. It must be selected with sufficient reserve payload for the task it is to perform, be regularly maintained and safe working loads must be identified and marked on the equipment. Lifting equipment is subject to statutory inspection.

Lone/Night Workers

Both lone workers and night workers (those who work between 11pm and 6am) require specific risk assessments to be carried out. These must take into account the particular problems and possible effects to workers health and safety caused through this situation.

Manual Handling

The Manual handling of loads (not only lifting or carrying, but also manoeuvring) is probably responsible for more workplace injuries than any other workplace single activity. It is worth noting that a large percentage of manual handling injuries are to administrative and other employees who would not normally be considered as high risk through their occupation

The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, require the assessment of all manual handling activities where there is any likelihood to lift, carry or manoeuvre any heavy or unwieldy load (i.e. replacement chilled water dispenser containers, boxes containing archived documents and computer equipment). <top>

New and Expectant Mothers

A new and expectant mother risk assessment becomes necessary when the woman notifies the employer in writing of her pregnancy and again at three monthly intervals, as the pregnancy develops.

Noise

High noise levels are common place in industry and even in some office environments. Industrial deafness is an increasing source of concern, primarily because in the early stages it is difficult to detect and damage is irreversible. Many compensation claims are brought as a result of high noise levels at work.

Portable Lifting Equipment

Portable lifting equipment must be selected with sufficient reserve payload for the task it is expected to perform. It must be regularly maintained and safe working loads must be identified and marked on the equipment. Portable lifting equipment is subject to statutory inspection.

Security/Safety of Staff

The security of staff at work can be compromised in many ways. If valuable items of equipment or products are held on the premises, poor security may leave employees vulnerable to attack. Equally, employees who leave the premises to carry money for banking or work alone off the premises (e.g. drivers and sales representatives) may be at greater risk than those who work on the premises.

Steam Cleaning/Pressure Washing

Steam cleaning/pressure washing equipment with its combination of boiling water, delivered at high pressure and high voltage electricity supply is particularly hazardous for users. Equipment should always be protected through the fitment of a residual current device (RCD) and operators must wear appropriate PPE. This equipment should be used well away from pedestrian areas or other employees at all times and should be shielded to prevent over-spray. An interceptor is necessary to prevent contamination of local water supplies.

Traffic Movements/Yard Safety

Workplace accidents caused by collision between vehicles and pedestrians appear to be increasing; the authorities are increasingly demanding comprehensive reviews of traffic management on premises, often resulting in the installation of walkways, protected doorways and pedestrian priority routes for sites.

Welding

By virtue of its nature, welding is a hazardous process as compressive gases and naked flames are involved. In addition, weld fumes are toxic and their effects often serious. All personnel who use welding equipment should be trained in the safe use of compressed gases and welding safety. Additionally, it is strongly advised that welders are trained to the relevant British standard for the welds that they will undertake to ensure the safety of the finished product.

Workshop

Workshop equipment includes items such as abrasive wheels, presses, portable grinders and sanders. When purchasing new workshop equipment it should be selected according to its usage, with safety as a priority (e.g. use of a pneumatic sander is preferred over electrically powered equipment, where electrically powered must be used, low voltage is preferred over mains voltage).