3.19 Risk Assessments

(Add name of the organisation) is committed to the development of an effectively planned, organised and controlled approach to health and safety at work and recognises that risk assessment is the cornerstone of sound management practice which aims to anticipate and so reduce the occurrence of accidents and incidents.

The approach adopted by the organisation is for selected staff to carry out an initial risk assessment for the areas and activities for which they are responsible. This assessment will consist of a comprehensive checklist of questions covering not only the general assessment required under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1992, but also the specific assessments required under associated legislation and relating to topics such as: display screen equipment workstations, manual handling, substances hazardous to health, personal protective equipment, first-aid and noise.

Where the results of the initial assessment suggest a problem may exist with a particular area or activity, the designated competent person(s) will be contacted and a more detailed assessment will then take place. (Modify all of the above points to conform with the risk assessment procedure adopted in your own organisation).

The organisation undertakes to provide adequate prior training for relevant line managers and for the designated competent person(s) to enable them to properly carry out their duties and responsibilities relating to risk assessments.

Further details are contained in (add name of the organisation) document Risk Assessment Policy. (Cross-reference your organisations risk assessment policy here).

With regard to non-employees, towards whom (add name of the organisation) owes a Section 3 duty,(add name of the organisation) will undertake risk assessments relating to the degree of risk to which such non-employees are exposed by the carrying out of(add name of the organisation) undertaking.

3.20 Smoking (Delete if not appropriate)

(Add name of the organisation) has introduced a no-smoking policy in its premises. All members of staff, visitors and contractors must comply with this policy. Further details are contained in the no-smoking policy. (Cross-reference your organisation's no-smoking policy here).

3.21 Storage of Materials

Correct identification and compatibility of materials stored minimises the risk of loss, damage or fire. Correct location of materials can also greatly reduce the risk of manual handling injury. Additionally, the provision of adequate storage facilities can greatly improve general housekeeping. Therefore; (add name of the organisation) will provide, as is reasonable, adequate and suitable storage facilities for the material that is used in carrying out its activities.

Materials which are covered by either the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 1999 or the Highly Flammable Liquids and Liquefied Petroleum Gases Regulations 1972 will be stored in accordance with the requirements contained in these Regulations.

The stores area is provided with racking and shelves which should be used. No supplies should be left on the floor or in the gangways. (Add your own specific requirements here).

3.22 Stress at work

(Add name of the organisation) recognises its obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to, amongst other matters, take reasonable measures to provide and maintain a safe system of work, where such a system of work aims to prevent psychological as well as physical injury. Therefore; the risk assessments undertaken by the Company will take into account the possible risks to health arising from work-related stress.

The first step in the organisations approach to stress management being to identify work activities which impose unnecessarily high levels of stress upon the individual employees undertaking them. Where possible such activities will be redesigned in order to eliminate or control the causes of the stress.

The second step being to educate employees identified as being at risk from work-related stress as to the dangers to their health and to encourage them to reduce their stress levels, where possible, through participation and co-operative working. Where necessary, training will be provided in order for them to monitor and control their own stress levels.

Lastly, employees identified as being in need of rehabilitation due to work-related stress will be provided, upon request, with independent and confidential counselling.

The above measures will be subject to regular monitoring and review. Employees and their representatives being kept fully informed of developments.

(Add name of the organisation) encourages employees who feel that either themselves or other employees are subject to levels of stress which are detrimental to their health to report this, in the strictest confidence, to either their line managers or to the competent designated person(s).

3.23 Training

(Add name of the organisation) will endeavour to identify the general health and safety training needs of members of staff and the specific training needs of selected members of staff who are carrying out health and safety roles. These specific training needs will include:

o Training for the designated competent person.

o Training for the competent person(s)

responsible for the evacuation of premises.

o Training for "suitable persons" such a first-aiders and

appointed persons.

o Training for those responsible for carrying out

risk assessments.

Whereas general training needs for staff will include:

o Induction training.

o Refresher training.

o Training when exposed to new or increased risk due to:

o Being transferred or given a change of

responsibility.

o The introduction of new work equipment

or a change in the use of existing work

equipment.

o The introduction of new technology.

o The introduction of a new or changed

system of work.

Such training shall be repeated periodically where appropriate, be adapted to take account of any new or changed risks and take place during working hours.

All forms of health and safety training will form an integral part of employees' personal development plans.

3.24 Violence at work (Delete if not appropriate)

(Add name of the organisation) recognises its obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 to take reasonable measures to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees. It also accepts that this includes taking positive steps to protect them from possible violence while at work. The organisation also recognises its obligations to report incidents of non-consensual violence, which meet the appropriate criteria, under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995. Therefore, it is important that all incidents of a potentially violent nature are reported by employees in order that the scale of the problem can be determined and the staff at risk identified.

Utilising this data-base of potentially violent incidents, (Add name of the organisation) will classify incidents and determine and introduce appropriate preventive measures. Once introduced the measures will be subject to monitor and review in order to gauge their effectiveness. Employees and their representatives being kept fully informed as to developments.

The risk assessments undertaken by the organisation will include risks of potential violence at work. Wherever possible (Add name of the organisation) will involve employees and their representatives in relation to this matter, accepting the view of the Health and Safety Executive that: "The best way to tackle violence is for employers and employees to work together to decide what to do".

Lastly; employees who have been subject to violent assault will, upon request, be provided with independent and confidential counselling. Training in techniques for dealing with potentially violent situations being given, where necessary, to staff identified as being particularly at risk.

3.25 Working from Home

Where staff using display screen equipment from home fall into the category of "users", (add name of the organisation) will issue them with guidance on how to set up their workstation and on how to conduct a workstation analysis. (Add your own specific requirements in relation to homeworkers here).

3.25 Working Away from the Office (Delete if not appropriate)

(Add name of the organisation) will take account of the hazards and risks to staff working away from the office, particularly when working on their own, driving on the public highway and visiting host employers' premises. They will also consider improved communications as one of the means available as a control measure when the assessed risks are considered to be too high.

Staff undertaking official journeys in company, private or hire vehicles must ensure that their vehicles are roadworthy, properly insured and are driven in conformity with the requirements of the Highway Code.

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