Students’ Union Bournemouth University Volunteer Department

Five Steps to Risk Assessment

When carrying out risk assessments do not be overcomplicated. In most cases the hazards are few and simple. Checking them is common sense but necessary.

To assess the risks in your activity, follow these 5 steps:

STEP 1: LOOK FOR THE HAZARDS

Go through the activity you plan to undertake and check what could reasonably be expected to cause harm. Ignore the trivial and concentrate on significant hazards that could result in serious harm or affect several people. Ask other people for their opinions – they may notice things that are not immediately obvious to you.

STEP 2: DECIDE WHO MIGHT BE HARMED AND HOW

Do not forget:

- Visitors and people not around all the time

- Members of the public

There is a chance that these could be hurt by your activities

STEP 3: EVALUATE THE RISKS AND DECIDE WHETHER EXISTING PRECAUTIONS ARE ADEQUATE

Consider how likely it is that each hazard could cause harm. This will determine whether or not you need to do more to reduce the risk. Even after all precautions have been taken, some risk usually remains. What you have to decide for each significant hazard is whether this remaining risk is high, medium or low.

You need to do what is reasonably practicable to keep your activity safe. Your real aim is to make all risks small by adding to your precautions as necessary. If you find that something needs to be done, draw up an ‘action list’ and give priority to any remaining risks that are high and/or those that could 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?

Improving safety need not involve a lot. Failure to take simple precautions can cost you a lot more if an accident does occur.

STEP 4: RECORD YOUR FINDINGS

You must record the significant findings of your assessment. This means writing down the significant hazards and conclusions.

Risk assessments must be suitable and sufficient. Keep the written record for future reference and use it. It can help you if someone in authority 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.

STEP 5: REVIEW YOUR ASSESSMENT AND REVISIT IT IF NECESSARY

If there is any significant change, add to the assessment to take account of the new hazard. Don’t amend your assessment for every trivial change, but if a new part of your activity introduces new hazards of its own, you will want to consider them in their own right and do whatever you need to keep the risks down. It is good practice to review your assessment from time to time to make sure that the precautions are still working effectively.

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