Risk assessment records

SI 1996/1106 The Genetically Modified Organisms (Risk Assessment) (Records and Exemptions) Regulations... 

Keep records of risk assessments, records of the maintenance and testing of engineering controls, and occupational health records. 

Examples of record formats can be found in School Health and Safety Management (Croner, 1995), Physical Education for Key Stages 1 and 2 (BAALPE, 1995), see Figure 3.3, or Managing Risk Assessment (NAHT, PM008,1996). If the risk assessment has been made for a specific event, such as a day excursion to an open air museum, it is good practice after the event to review the record and note any particular hazard, risk or action which should be included in the risk assessment next time. Keep all risk assessment records for future reference. This will save time and effort for visits, journeys and events that are repeated. 

It is only when further action such as this needs to be taken that detail needs to be set out on the risk assessment record. The necessary action should then be implemented and consistently applied. 

Risk assessment records for physical education, science, art, design technology and other areas should be reviewed periodically. Review should occur annually or when circumstances change such as different pupils, different staff, different facilities, different activities or changes due to building work and other such circumstances. In practice the record may simply be re-dated to show that a new risk assessment has been carried out but no change in practice is necessary. 

There are many other possible layouts which can be used for the risk assessment record. One example is given in Appendix 5.2. 

The risk assessment record significant findings should refer to other plans, records or other documentary as necessary. 

Health and safety improvennent notice - this notice may be served by a heaith and safety enforcing officer when, in their opinion, there has been a breach of statutory duty or that there is likeiy to be a breach of statutory duty. For example, if risk assessment records have not been recorded or specified training has not been completed. 

Risk assessment records will provide a rich source of information from which an organisation can draw. In addition, an organisation s health and safety policy, its written procedures and safe systems of work will also provide a valuable source of Information, together with any posters and information sheets produced internally. 

Definitions reiating to risk assessment > Risk assessment and the law >- Competencies required for risk assessment >- The process of risk assessment >- Risk assessment recording and reviewing procedures. 

Appendix 5.1 Example of a general activity risk assessment record and action plan... 

RISK ASSESSMENT RECORD Acme Company Ltd Number ... 

Many of the above issues may weii not find themseives recorded in a buiiding specific fire risk assessment record, neither shouid they if in the opinion of the risk assessor they present an insignificant risk. However, an assessment of each shouid be made and where required additionai controi measures considered and impiemented and records of suoh assessments kept. 

It is unlikely that a building or premises will have no controls in place for the management of fire, it is therefore essential when evaluating the level of fire risk that any such controls are analysed and included in a risk assessment record. Having identified and recorded the current controls that are in place and any shortcomings they may have, analysis of residual risk can be made. 

To ensure that the risk assessment record meets the required standards it must identify the persons or groups of persons who may be at risk, particularly as a number of control measures may be specific to these groups of people, e.g. hearing Impaired persons will need to be provided with an alternative to an audible warning device. 

A quantum of the level of risk (likelihood x severity) will reflect the current controls in place, which in the case of the example above may rate a medium risk if a qualitative analysis is applied (see Chapter 5). The risk assessment record should then identify controls that... 

Having identified any shortcomings in the preventive and protective arrangements for the management of fire, the next element of the risk assessment record should be completed that of recording recommended actions based upon a prioritised order. This prioritisation should ensure that those hazards presenting the most significant risk can be identified and addressed quickly and effectively, so that the risk can be reduced. 

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