Risk assessments in the work place

diesel_dog

Hi, I need a little bit help with risk assessments.

Do employers have to make an employee aware of any risks in the workplace even if they are classed as lone workers?
Are they supposed to do any kind of training to keep them up to date if or when a risk assessment is amended and to what the risks are?

Thanks

Sambucus_Nigra

a - depends on the risk
b - depends on the risk.

So, what's the problem?

dickydonkin

diesel_dog wrote: »

Hi, I need a little bit help with risk assessments.

Do employers have to make an employee aware of any risks in the workplace even if they are classed as lone workers?
Are they supposed to do any kind of training to keep them up to date if or when a risk assessment is amended and to what the risks are?

Thanks

Yes and Yes - moreso on your first point in respect of lone working.

All employees should be informed of any hazards and associated risks they may encounter during the course of their work - the ideal time for this is during the induction phase of training.

Risk assessments should be reviewed periodically, when a situation occurs or when working practices or situations in the workplace may render any existing assessment 'not suitable and sufficient' (apologies for H&S speak).

Your company should also have in place a 'lone working' policy and procedures in place that (in theory) should not place a lone worker at more risk than a worker who works with colleagues.

The contentious point as you alluded to however, is that any risk assessment is only as good as the person conducting it and how it is implemented into the organisations health and safety management system. Ideally risk assessment training should be provided to relevant staff.

Sadly - many risk assessments are not worth the paper they are printed on - as are many company health and safety policies!