Workplace Risk Assessment – How Safe is your Workplace?

The number one priority for business has to be to ensure their workplace is safe. In fact, it’s a legal requirement that a workplace is safe and that the necessary measures are taken to ensure risks are assessed, the action is taken and controls put in place. So how do you know whether you have covered all possible risks at your business? Book in a Workplace Risk Assessment with ACA.

The responsibility for workplace safety falls not only on specific companies, owners and management teams but also on staff/employees who need to ensure they are taking reasonable care to work safely and to inform management of any potential risks so they can be addressed immediately.

What is a Workplace Risk Assessment?

Whilst workplace safety can be an evolving process based on the experiences of those that work there when you book in a workplace risk assessment, we can identify workplace hazards in order to formulate an occupational health and safety plan based on any identified hazards and potential risks.

The steps we take are:

1. Identify the hazards
2. Assess the risks
3. Control the risks
4. Review and maintain the measures put in place, including compliance

Workplace assessment involves a very detailed process so the following is an overview of a workplace risk assessment:

• Plant / Equipment: This involves the assessment of and recommendations on plant and equipment purchase or hire, installation, training, and maintenance.
• Confined Spaces: Identify those that are considered confined spaces and assess ventilation and space use.
• Occupational Noise: The noise levels are assessed according to exposure standards. Eg.Plant equipment noise levels, such as chiller rooms, manufacturing equipment.
• Occupational Dust: Asbestos is a critical health hazard. Knowing how to deal with and remove asbestos requires a professional asbestos removal company. Silica and other dust detection are important in a workplace assessment.
• Working at Heights: Working at heights can include anything from outside the building (windows), mezzanine, rooftops, above plant equipment and anywhere that is a reasonable level above ground.
• Internal Air Quality: We conduct a spot test on-site following a set of IAQ parameters.
• Hazardous Substances: This involves assessing storage of and use of substances, spill control, signage, safety documentation and handling including emergency contacts and procedures.

When Should You Carry Out a Risk Assessment at Work?

There may be times when addressing safety should be carried out immediately based on an identified risk or hazard. Other times include when new activities or processes are introduced or when existing processes, equipment, workplace changes are being considered.

What Planning Should a Company do prior to a Workplace Assessment?

Present any existing documentation on workplace policies, manufacturer information, workplace test results, and any existing work safety plan so we have a framework that we can re-assess and alter according to further assessment. You will need to involve the necessary staff/parties to ensure they understand anything that needs to be implemented and inform us of anything that is perceived as a risk and the level of that risk.

What Else Does a Workplace Assessment Involve?

Workplace assessment involves a lot more than just the business premises. It’s a thorough, consultative process that is effectively carried out with worker input. Aside from our own evaluation of equipment, workspace, procedures, documentation, and situations, etc. employees provide valuable insight from the information they share about their work and workspace.

While workplace deaths have reduced over the years, the aim of a workplace assessment is always to eliminate all risks. Every worker deserves to work in a safe environment and conducting a workplace assessment will ensure you are working toward zero work fatalities and injuries.