Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

Prioritization of risk control
The prioritization of the implementation of risk control 
measures will depend on the risk rating (high, medium and 
low) but the time scale in which the measures are intro-
duced will not always follow the ratings. It may be con-
venient to deal with a low level risk at the same time as 
a high level risk or before a medium level risk. It may also 
be that work on a high risk control system is delayed due 
to a late delivery of an essential component – this should 
not halt the overall risk reduction work. It is important to 
maintain a continuous programme of risk improvement 
rather than slavishly following a predetermined priority list.
5.9.5 Record of risk assessment fi ndings
It is very useful to keep a written record of the risk 
assessment even if there are less than fi ve employees in 
the organization. For an assessment to be ‘suitable and 
suffi cient’ only the signifi cant hazards and conclusions 
need be recorded. The record should also include details 
of the groups of people affected by the hazards and 
the existing control measures and their effectiveness. 
The conclusions should identify any new controls required 
and a review date. The HSE booklet 
Five steps to risk 
assessment
provides a very useful guide and examples 
of the detail required for most risk assessments.
There are many other possible layouts which can 
be used for the risk assessment record. One example is 
given in Appendix 5.2.
The written record provides excellent evidence to 
a health and safety inspector of compliance with the 
law. It is also useful evidence if the organization should 
become involved in a civil action.
The record should be accessible to employees and 
a copy kept with the safety manual containing the safety 
policy and arrangements.