Tim Watson of Tim Watson Consulting commented, “This revised version is clearer and more detailed that the 1993 original. People tend to overcomplicate risk assessment, but this focuses on keeping it simple. This will be exceptionally useful to everyone in the industry, but it is particularly pertinent to small builders and house builders.”
The 11-page booklet takes managers through the basics of UK regulation on workplace safety, and highlights the key concepts that should be understood in order to minimise workplace risks. It lays out a simple five-step path that can be followed as the foundation of a good risk assessment programme.
Managers are advised to: identify hazards; decide who may be at risk; evaluate the risks and decide on precautions; record their findings and implement them; and, review and update their assessment when necessary. Each step in the program is explained in clear, jargon-free, English, illustrated with simple examples, and contains useful links to other sources of help and advice. The guidance booklet also contains a simple one-page form, laying out the process again and giving space for users to record the steps they have taken.
Launching the guidance, the HSE’s deputy chief executive, Jonathon Rees, said “We want to save lives, not tie up businesses in red tape – good risk assessment is the way to achieve this. I hope that this new, straightforward, guidance will help managers understand what’s expected of them and get more focus on the kind of risks that cause real harm and suffering.”
