Why are Risk Assessments Important?

Why are Risk Assessments Important?

Workplace environments present all kinds of hazards – causing injuries to staff, customers, and even the public. That’s why employers have a legal duty to encourage safe working practices though risk assessments.

There are all kinds of risk assessments to choose from, each tailored to specific work customs and industries. Neglecting them could lead to serious consequences; like facing compensation claims, business closure, and even imprisonment.

Let’s take a look at what a risk assessment is, who carries them out, and why it’s important not to neglect these mandatory safety documents.

What is a risk assessment?

A risk assessment is the process of identifying, analysing, and controlling hazards in the workplace.

Depending on the issue, a risk assessment helps employers maintain safe working conditions – protecting their staff, as well as anyone found on your premises (like customers, clients, or even the public).

Some businesses only require basic risk assessments, like an office workplace. Whilst others require intricate ones, like construction sites. It all depends on what hazards your workplace presents and what’s needed to minimise (or even eliminate) them.

Who can carry out a risk assessment?

A risk assessment must only be carried out by a ‘competent person’. This can be an employer, a trained employee, or a professional Health & Safety auditor.

Competent people will assess how severe a hazard is, what the chances of reoccurrence, and what control measures are needed. They’ll be able to outline safe working practices for all employees and visitors to follow.

Why are risk assessments important?

Risk assessments are one of the best measures employers can take to single out hazards in the workplace. It’s a legal obligation that falls on all employers across an array of industries.

Businesses who hire five or more employees must have written risk assessments in place. However businesses with less than five employers must still demonstrate how they control risk – with a risk assessment being the most effective way to do this and ensure compliance.

With proper risk management, you’ll be able to protect yourself, as well as others found on your premises.

Let’s look at why it’s important for employers to have risk assessments in place:

Protect people from potential harm

As mentioned, the main aim behind a risk assessment is health and safety. Whatever customs and procedures you have, it’s important to protect your staff from any potential harm connected to their job.

Risk assessments cover five primary steps:

1.      Identify your workplace hazards.

2.      Decide who might be harmed and how.

3.      Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions.

4.      Record the findings and implement them.

5.      Review your assessment and update if needed.

From slips in bathrooms to demolishing buildings, people are exposed to all kinds of safety issues at work. Risk assessments helps to protect them from potential harm and long-term ill-health.

Save lives and minimise fatalities

It’s not just injuries and accidents that take place at work. Some people may suffer from long-term injuries, permanent health problems, and even fatalities.

For example, using asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) can lead to long-term respiratory illnesses and even death. Without the right awareness or control, staff (and those in close proximity) can suffer from direct exposure.

Being aware of health-related risks could end up saving lives. That’s why it’s important for employers to have an updated risk assessment in all relevant areas of their business. In the end, you’ll be able to protect people from irreversible harm and ill-health.

Lower hefty costs of poor management

Poor risk management can lead to hefty costs which can be hard for businesses to recover from. With the right assessments in place, employers can protect themselves from financial costs linked to injury claims and negligence cases.

For example, if an employee faces a personal injury at work, they may take time off to recover. Employers must then pay sick pay (SSP), as well as manage a loss in productivity.

In some negligence cases, businesses may be forced to pay compensation fines to injured parties. These could include paying insurance premiums, legal costs, and even lost wages. All these consequences can be avoided through proper risk assessments.

Reduce facing negligence claims

When work-related accidents occur, the injured party may decide to resolve this with legal action. Depending on the outcome of a negligence claim, it can be hard for businesses to recover from.

Improper risk assessments can lead to some employers being face semi- or permanent closure. This could occur on one site or across multiple ones. In some case, employers could face criminal punishments, like imprisonment, due to their negligence.

All these consequences can be hard to recover from; they could ruin your business name, image, and growth forever.

Download a free risk assessment template now

Here at Peninsula, we care about the safety of your business. So we have created a range of free risk assessment templates for you to use when required, such as:

• General free risk assessment template.
• Free construction risk assessment template.
• Free risk assessment in health and social care template.
• Free office risk assessment example.
• Free beauty salon risk assessment template.
• Free risk assessment template for schools.
• Free pregnancy risk assessment template.
• Free bar risk assessment template.
• Free working from home risk assessment template.
• Free lone working risk assessment template.
• Free COSHH risk assessment template.
• Free manual handling risk assessment template.

Get expert advice on risk assessments with Peninsula

No matter what your industry you work in, all employers have a legal duty to ensure their workplaces are safe. Without the right risk management, you would end up injuring your staff, customers, or anyone who visits your premises.

Peninsula offers expert advice on risk assessments. We offer 24-hour H&S advice – ensuring your employees work in the safest and most secure manner. 

Want to find out more? Contact us on 0800 028 2420 and book a workplace risk assessment with one of our risk assessment consultants today.