Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

 4.
Handling/lifting
Manual 
handling
Mechanical 
handling
 5.
Electricity
Fixed 
installation
Portable tools and equipment
 6.
Chemicals
Dust/fume/gas
Toxic
Irritant
Sensitizing
Corrosive
Carcinogenic
Nuisance
 7.
Fire and Explosion
Flammable materials/gases/ liquids
Explosion
Means of escape/alarms/detection
 8.
Particles and dust
Inhalation
Ingestion
Abrasion of skin or eye
 9.
Radiation
Ionising
Non-ionising
10.
Biological
Bacterial
Viral
Fungal
11.
Environmental
Noise
Vibration
Light
Humidity
Ventilation
Temperature
Overcrowding
12.
The individual
Individual not suited to work
Long 
hours
High work rate
Violence to staff
Unsafe behaviour of individual
Stress
Pregnant/nursing 
women
Young 
people
13.
Other factors to consider
Poor 
maintenance
Lack of supervision
Lack of training
Lack of information
Inadequate 
instruction
Unsafe 
systems
The following checklist may be helpful

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Introduction to Health and Safety at Work
78
 
Appendix 5.2 Example of a risk assessment record
General Health and Safety Risk Assessment
No
Firm/Company
Department
Contact Name
Nature of Business
Telephone Number
Principal Hazards
Risks to employees and members of the public could arise due to the following hazards:
1. hazardous substances
2. electricity
3. fi re
4. dangerous occurrences or other emergency incidents
5.
6.
Persons at Risk
Employees, contractors, and members of the public.
Main Legal Requirements
Main Legal Requirements
1. Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 – Section 2 and 3
2. Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
3. The Noise at Work Regulations 1989
4. Common Law Duty of Care
5. ?
Signifi cant Risks
• Acute and chronic health problems caused by the use or release of hazardous substances.
• Injuries to employees and members of the public due to equipment failure such as electric shock.
• Injuries to employees and members of the public from slips, trips and falls.
• Injuries to employees and members of the public caused by fi re.
• ?
Consequences
Fractures, bruising, smoke inhalation and burns, acute and chronic health problems and death.

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Risk assessment
79
Likelihood
Severity
Slight 1
Serious 2
Major 3
Low 1
Low 1
Low 2
Medium 3
Medium 2
Low 2
Medium 4
High 6
High 3
Medium 3
High 6
High 9
Existing Control Measures
Possible examples include:
1. All sub-contractors are vetted prior to appointment.
2. All hazardous and harmful materials are identifi ed and the risks to people assessed. COSHH assessments 
are provided and the appropriate controls are implemented. Health surveillance is provided as necessary.
3. Fire risk assessment has been produced. Fire procedures are in place and all employees are trained to deal 
with fi re emergencies. A carbon dioxide fi re extinguisher is available at every work site.
4. A minimum of fl ammable substances are used on the premises, no more than a half days supply at a time. 
Kept in fi re resistant store.
5. No smoking is allowed on the premises.
6. Manual handling is kept to a minimum. Where there is a risk of injury manual handling assessments are car-
ried out.
7. Method statements are used for complex and/or hazardous jobs and are followed at all times.
8. All accidents on or around the site are reported and investigated by management. Any changes found 
necessary are quickly implemented. All accidents, reportable under RIDDOR 1995, are reported to the HSE 
on form F2508.
9. At least 1 qualifi ed First Aider is available during working hours.
10. ?