Manual Handling: Risk Assessments

What is a risk assessment?

A. Examining workplace for possible hazards

B. Plan to reduce hazards

C. Examining the risks / the likelihood of injury

D. All of the above

What do you think? The correct answer is D: All of the above.

A risk assessment is simply the process of carefully examining your workplace and identifying what could cause someone injury or illness - the hazards.

Deciding how likely it is that someone could be harmed and how seriously - the risk.

Taking action to eliminate the hazard, or if this isn't possible, control the risk.

Who should you consult with when creating a risk assessment?

A. Local Council

B. Employer

C. Workers

D. Everyone

What do you think? The correct answer is C: workers.

It's good practice to consult with workers.

Operators will know which activities are unpopular, difficult or hard work and may have practical solutions

How much detail needs to be included in a risk assessment? 

This depends on a number of factors, including:

• The level of risk

• The complexity of the tasks being carried out

We will look at this in more detail later in the course.