After more than 20 years away from our screens, the BBC has announced that Gladiators will return for an 11-part series in 2023.
Fans are overjoyed, but some fear the new version will lack the magic of the original. In a BBC Breakfast interview, former Gladiator Sharron Davies expressed concerns that tougher health and safety regulations could “take away the excitement” that made the show such a hit in the 90s.
It remains to be seen if this will be the case, but Davies’s comments do raise a wider question about workplace safety. We’re sure that you understand the importance of carrying out a risk assessment, but how long should you wait before reviewing it?
In this blog we’ll look at some of the signs that warn it might be time for an update, and offer tips on creating the most effective risk assessment possible. Contenders ready?
Do I need to review my risk assessments?
In recent years, the true extent of the injuries suffered on Gladiators has come to light. It seems that broken bones were common, and several participants were hospitalised without the public’s knowledge.
While your workplace may not be as treacherous as The Eliminator obstacle course, it can still contain hazards with the potential to cause serious injury. Some of these are fixed, but others can evolve over time. Changes in the workplace can also cause new hazards to emerge. For this reason, it is vital to review your risk assessments regularly.
When should I review my risk assessments?
The law requires risk assessments to be reviewed regularly, but it doesn’t specify a timeframe. Once a year is a good rule of thumb, but there are certain situations that require an immediate review. These include:
- Significant changes to the working environment, such as a relocation or reorganisation of the office
- Changes in the nature of your work, especially if employees are required to carry out tasks they have not previously performed
- A serious accident or near miss
- Employees telling you that they feel unsafe
- The introduction of new H&S legislation that relates to your work
Remember that physical safety is only one aspect of a risk assessment. You should also carry out a review if there are any changes that could affect the mental health of your employees. The recent shift to remote working is a good example of this.
What should I look for when reviewing a risk assessment?
There are two main steps to reviewing a risk assessment: re-evaluating existing hazards and looking for new ones. Start by going through the previous risk assessment point by point. For each risk, consider the following:
- Is the risk still present? If not, could it return in the future?
- Has the nature of the risk changed since the previous risk assessment?
- Are any new measures needed to mitigate the risk?
Next, you need to look for new hazards that may have appeared since your last risk assessment.
Think about recent changes in your workplace, and look for any dangers that may have emerged as a result. Note these down along with the safety measures required to mitigate them. It’s important to consider these new measures in relation to existing safety precautions. Make sure that none of them contradicts or impedes the previous guidelines.
How can I ensure that the changes are effective?
Reviewing your risk assessment is only part of the process. You also need to make sure that the new risk assessment is doing its job. This is an ongoing process that involves both you and your staff.
It’s sensible to follow up on every new measure at regular intervals, even if an overall review isn’t due. Also, encourage your employees to keep you updated on the new precautions, and to tell you if any of them aren’t working as they should.
Work is changing all the time, and there will always be new hazards to deal with. If you’re struggling to keep up, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Whether you need to create a new risk assessment or update an existing one, we’re here to help.
