Sample Risk Assessment Record

This sample may be copied and used as Risk Assesment record

Assessment for the Rotary Club of The Soar Valley in District 1070

Event/Activity ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Date of Event ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Assessment Undertaken (date) ------------------------------------------------------------

Signed --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Assessment Review (date) ------------------------------------------------------------------

Description/Outline of Event/Activity

Significant Hazards

Groups of people at risk

Existing controls (or where information can be found).

Risks not adequately controlled and action needed

Guidelines for Risk Assessment : Rotary Club of The Soar Valley

Hazard Anything that can cause harm (e.g. chemicals, electricity, working from ladders etc)

Risk The chance, high or low, that somebody will be harmed by the hazard

Risk Assessment A careful examination of what could cause harm to people so you can assess whether you have taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm. The aim is to ensure that no one gets hurt or becomes ill. Decide whether a hazard is significant, and whether you have taken care to ensure that the risk is small. You need to check this when you assess the risks.

Five Steps to Risk Assessment

•  Look out for the hazards

•  Decide who might be harmed and how

•  Evaluate the risks and decide whether existing precautions are adequate or more should be done

•  Record your findings

•  Review your assessment and revise it if necessary

Look out for the hazards

Look afresh at what could be reasonably expected to cause harm. Ignore the trivial and concentrate on significant hazards that could result in serious harm or affect several people.

Ask other members what they think; they may notice what you overlook.

Decide who might be harmed and how

Remember to consider:

Members of the public or people who attend your event, is there a chance they could be hurt by the planned activities?

Children, older people, new and expectant mothers etc. who may be at particular risk

Visitors, contractors, maintenance workers etc

Evaluate the risks and decide whether existing precautions are adequate or more should be done

Consider how likely it is that each hazard could cause harm hence determine whether you need to do more to reduce the risk. Even after all precautions have been taken, some risk usually remains. You have to decide whether the remaining risk is high, medium or low.

Your aim is to make all risks small by adding to your precautions.

If something needs to be done, draw up an action list and give priority to risks that are high or affect most people.

In taking action ask yourself:

Can I get rid of the hazard altogether?

If not, how can I control the risks so that harm is unlikely

In controlling risks apply the principles below:

Try a less risky option

Prevent access to the hazard (e.g. by guarding)

Organize the event to reduce exposure to the hazard

Issue personal protective equipment

Provide welfare facilities (e.g. first aid, washing facilities etc)

Record your findings

Record the significant findings of your assessment i.e. write down the significant hazards and conclusions in the form of a Risk Assessment. Risk assessments should be suitable and sufficient – not perfect!

You need to be able to show that:

A proper check was made

You asked who might be affected

You dealt with significant hazards, taking into account the number of people involved

Precautions are reasonable, and remaining risk low.

The written record should be kept for future reference, hand a copy to the club Health and Safety Officer for filing. It could be important if a Health and Safety Inspector asks what precautions you have taken, or if you become involved in any action for civil liability. It can also remind you to keep an eye on particular hazards and precautions. It helps to show that you have done what the law requires.

Review your assessment and revise it if necessary

If there is any significant change that could lead to new hazards, amend the assessment to take account of the new hazard. If you introduce significant new hazards you will want to consider them in their own right and do whatever you can to keep the risks down. In any case, it is good practice to review your assessment from time to time to make sure the precautions are still working effectively.