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Risk Assessments
A Risk Assessment comprises
a careful, thorough examination of the workplace and work
activities, to identify hazards, assess risks and determine
appropriate risk control measures. Employers have an obligation
to their workers, contractors, visitors and members of
the public to ensure that all risks are adequately controlled.
ACS staff have significant experience in carrying out
General Risk Assessments and topic specific Risk Assessments
across a wide range of industrial and commercial sectors.
General Risk Assessment
A General Risk Assessment identifies
the hazards and risks associated with the operations carried
out by an organisation and the existing control measures
that are already in place. This would allow a 'baseline'
to be determined from which improvements can be made if
necessary. The Assessment would include a physical inspection
of the premises and equipment used, interrogation of relevant
documents and records and discussions with key personnel.
Following the on-site assessment, a written report would
be produced which would cover existing risks to health,
recommendations for additional control measures and legal
obligations of the employer and employees.
DSE (Display Screen Equipment)
Risk Assessment
Under the Health & Safety (Display
Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, as amended, it
is a requirement that employers undertake a 'suitable
and sufficient' analysis of workstations provided for
DSE 'users'. A DSE assessment would involve each 'user'
within an organisation completing an initial checklist
, followed by an ACS assessor visually observing and assessing
the user's working practices, surrounding environment
and equipment.
Following the on-site assessment, a written report would
be produced which would cover existing risks to health,
recommendations for additional control measures and legal
obligations of the employer and employees.
Manual Handling
Assessment
Manual handling covers a wide variety
of tasks including lifting, lowering, pushing, pulling
and carrying. The Manual Handling Operations Regulations
1992, as amended state that where it is not possible
to avoid manual handling tasks that employers should undertake
a 'suitable and sufficient' assessment of manual handling
operations. The assessment would involve ACS staff identifying
all the manual handling tasks that individuals within
an organisation undertake, followed by the completion
of risk assessments for each of the individual tasks.
Following the on-site assessment, a written report would
be produced which would cover existing risks to health,
recommendations for additional control measures and legal
obligations of the employer and employees.
Fire Risk Assessment
Fire Risk assessments are carried out
in relation to both the premises and the operations carried
out by an organisation. The assessment involves physical
inspections of premises and equipment, interrogation of
relevant documents and records and discussions with key
personnel. In addition, ACS would work in conjunction
with a qualified surveyor to investigate additional factors
such as the structure and the fabric of the building.
The risk assessment would enable the requirements of the
Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997, as amended
to be met as well as making recommendations
for good practice.
Following the on-site assessment, a written report would
be produced which would cover existing fire related risks,
recommendations for additional control measures and legal
obligations of the employer and employees.
Driving Risk Assessment
According to Government figures, approximately 250 people
die each year while at work. However, RoSPA estimates
that between 800 to 1000 deaths on Britain's roads each
year involve someone who is at work. Therefore, it is
imperative that organisations realise the risk that their
employees face when driving during work. Suitable policies,
procedures and training must be put in place to deal effectively
with this risk.
ACS offer a Driving Risk Assessment and Training day
in conjunction with the Institute of Advanced Motorists
(IAM). This service is aimed towards employees for
whom driving forms a significant part of their job requirement,
although it can benefit all drivers.
IAM instructors assess each driver's current standard
of driving on a one-to-one basis. Following the results
of their assessment, drivers are trained to anticipate
hazards and take steps to reduce the likelihood and severity
of accidents. The session ends with a second assessment
of the driver to note the improvement made. While this
is in progress, an ACS assessor would carry out a driving
risk assessment, assessing driving policy, culture and
provisions within the organization. A full written report
would be produced recommending changes to be made where
appropriate.
The benefits to companies from undertaking these assessments
are believed to include reductions in lost time and damage
to vehicles, as well as reductions in fuel costs brought
about by smoother driving techniques.
Homeworker
Assessment
Homeworkers are subject to largely the same Health and
Safety requirements as office based staff, requiring employers
to effectively manage their Health, Safety and Welfare.
To assist employers with this, often confusing area, ACS
offer a Homeworker Risk Assessment package, which includes
risk assessments, PAT testing (for electrical equipment)
and DSE assessments. Depending upin the findings of the
assessment, ACS are also able to assist the employer in
developing safe working policies and procedures for Homeworkers.
Legionella
Risk Assessment
Legionnaire's Disease is a type of pneumonia which is
contracted by inhaling Legionella bacteria, in droplet
form, deep into the lungs. Legionella bacteria are common
and can be found naturally in environmental waters such
as rivers, lakes and reservoirs. The bacteria favours
conditions between 20 C and 45 C for growth and therefore,
manufactured water systems are a common place for the
bacteria to grow. To reduce the possibility of creating
conditions where Legionella can thrive, it is important
to control the risk. ACS offers a Legionella risk assessment
service, utilising staff trained to IOSH Managing Legionella
standard. The service is applicable to all commercial
and industrial premises, including offices, and includes
a risk assessment of your premises, written procedures
on the prevention and control of Legionella and record
keeping protocols.
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