Creating a safe workplace isn’t just about ticking boxes; it’s about protecting the people who keep your business running. Whether you manage a small team or oversee a large workforce, risk assessments are a legal requirement that can’t be overlooked.
But what exactly do you need to do? And how can you ensure you’re meeting your obligations without feeling overwhelmed? In this blog, we’ll take a look at your responsibilities as an employer and discuss a few ways in which you can conduct effective risk assessments.
Understanding UK Regulations on Risk Assessments
The purpose of a risk assessment is to spot potential hazards, figure out who might be harmed and put sensible measures in place to prevent accidents or injuries. In the UK, two key pieces of legislation underpin risk assessments. These are:
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA): This law is the cornerstone of health and safety in the UK. It establishes a general duty of care for employers to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of employees and anyone affected by their operations. This includes visitors, contractors and even members of the public.
Under the HSWA, employers are required to:
- Provide and maintain safe systems of work, equipment and processes.
- Conduct risk assessments to identify and mitigate hazards.
- Offer necessary information, instruction, training and supervision to employees.
- Ensure the safe use, handling and storage of substances and materials.
Failure to comply with the HSWA can lead to prosecution, heavy fines and even imprisonment for serious breaches.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999: Building on the HSWA, these regulations spell out the need for “suitable and sufficient” risk assessments and outline how to implement preventive measures. They require employers to:
- Perform “suitable and sufficient” risk assessments.
- Implement preventive and protective measures based on the assessment.
- Appoint competent individuals to oversee health and safety.
- Provide clear communication about risks and preventive measures to employees.
- Regularly review and update risk assessments to ensure they remain relevant.
The MHSWR also places responsibilities on employees, requiring them to take reasonable care of their own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by their actions.
Other Relevant Legislation
Of course, risk assessments don’t exist in isolation. Depending on your workplace, other laws and regulations may also apply. For example:
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)
COSHH requires employers to assess and control risks related to hazardous substances in the workplace, such as chemicals, fumes, dust, or biological agents. A COSHH risk assessment should:
- Identify hazardous substances and the risks they pose.
- Determine who might be exposed and how.
- Implement control measures to reduce exposure, such as ventilation, protective equipment, or substituting safer substances.
- Ensure regular monitoring and training to maintain safety.
This regulation is critical for industries such as manufacturing, cleaning, healthcare and laboratories, where exposure to harmful substances is common.
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)
HACCP is a legal requirement for businesses in the food industry under food hygiene regulations. It focuses on assessing and controlling risks to food safety, such as contamination during preparation, storage, or transport. A robust HACCP plan includes:
- Identifying potential food safety hazards (biological, chemical, or physical).
- Determining critical control points (CCPs) where risks can be prevented or minimised.
- Establishing procedures to monitor CCPs and corrective actions if limits are breached.
By integrating HACCP into your risk assessment process, you ensure compliance while protecting consumers and your reputation.
The Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022
These regulations, part of the broader Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, emphasise the importance of fire risk assessments in ensuring workplace safety. Employers must:
- Identify fire hazards, such as flammable materials or electrical risks.
- Assess who might be at risk, including employees, visitors and individuals needing additional assistance.
- Plan and implement appropriate fire prevention measures, including escape routes and fire-fighting equipment.
- Review and update fire risk assessments regularly, especially following changes to premises or processes.
This regulation is particularly important for businesses with complex or multi-occupancy buildings.
The Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Regulations 1992
For office-based businesses, these regulations require risk assessments of workstations to reduce the risk of strain and fatigue for employees using display screens. A DSE risk assessment involves:
- Checking that workstations are properly set up with adjustable chairs, screens and keyboards.
- Ensuring adequate lighting and minimal screen glare.
- Encouraging regular breaks to prevent strain and promoting ergonomic best practices.
Failing to comply can result in musculoskeletal disorders, eye strain and reduced productivity.
How The H&S Dept Can Help
We get it – keeping up with health and safety regulations while running a business can feel daunting. That’s where we come in. At The H&S Dept, we provide tailored risk assessment services to help you stay compliant and protect your team. From ready-to-use templates to expert-led training sessions, we’re here to simplify the process and give you peace of mind. Get in touch to speak to one of our experts.