Risk assessments: they’re not the most exciting topic in the world of construction, but they’re crucial for keeping workers safe and healthy on site. In this post, we’re going to take a look at why risk assessments are so important and how you can go about carrying them out effectively.
First of all, it’s worth noting that risk assessments aren’t just a box-ticking exercise. They’re a legal requirement if your company employees more than 5 people, but they’re also an opportunity to identify and mitigate potential hazards on site. By carrying out regular risk assessments, you can reduce the likelihood of accidents and injuries, which in turn can save lives and avoid costly downtime.
So, what does a risk assessment involve? Essentially, it’s a process of identifying hazards, assessing the risks they pose, and putting in place measures to control those risks. This should include things like can the risk be removed, can we swap tools or materials to make it safer, providing personal protective equipment, implementing safe systems of work, or redesigning the layout of the site.
Engaging your team in risk assessments
One of the key aspects of a risk assessment is involving your workers in the process. After all, they’re the ones who are on site every day, and they often have a good understanding of the hazards they face. By getting their input, you can make sure that your risk assessments are as comprehensive and accurate as possible, but remember to make the process fun and engaging. Here are some ideas:
- Make it interactive: Instead of just handing out paperwork, involve workers in the risk assessment process by asking them to identify hazards and assess risks. This can be done through group discussions, walkthroughs, or even games like scavenger hunts.
- Reward participation: Encourage workers to get involved by offering incentives such as gift cards, extra break time, or even a pizza party for the team with the best suggestions for risk reduction.
- Use humour: Add a touch of humour to the process by creating funny or playful illustrations or videos that demonstrate hazards and risks on the worksite.
- Get creative: Instead of using the traditional paperwork, try using other mediums such as videos, comics, or even an interactive app to make the process more engaging.
- Make it a team effort: Encourage teamwork by assigning different tasks to different members of the team, such as having one person in charge of identifying hazards and another in charge of finding solutions.
- Make it a regular thing: Instead of doing risk assessments occasionally, make it a regular practice to keep everyone engaged and aware of potential hazards on site.
- Make it a competition: Pit different teams against each other to see who can identify the most hazards and come up with the best solutions.
- Make it a learning opportunity: Use the risk assessment process as a chance to educate workers on industry best practices and encourage them to share their own knowledge and experiences.
Once you’ve carried out your risk assessments, it’s important to review them regularly, and update them as necessary. This is particularly important if there are any significant changes to the site or the work being carried out, as this can introduce new hazards.
In short, risk assessments are an essential part of construction safety. By taking the time to carry them out effectively, you can reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, and create a safer working environment for everyone on site.
So, next time you’re tempted to skip the risk assessment step in your project, remember that it is not just a formality but a vital process that can protect the health and safety of workers, and also your business. So, take some time, involve your team and make sure you have a comprehensive and effective risk assessment in place.
The HSE have fantastic resources to help you through the risk assessment process, you can take a look HERE.