Trades such as joiners, builders and electricians must all take responsibility for their health and safety. It is essential to implement a risk assessment for woodworking companies amongst others.
Provision and communication of a suitable and sufficient written assessment of risk in any workplace activity is a legal requirement. It applies to all employers and the self-employed, where they have 5 employees or more.
What are Risk Assessments for Woodworking Companies?
Risk assessments form a significant part of delivering a safe working environment whether in an office or a woodworking company. As with anything risk-related, it is about identifying and managing the risk.
Assessing risk is acknowledging the presence of a potential issue that could occur. However, like all aspects of health and safety, it requires a sensible approach to understand what actually constitutes a real and credible concern.
Whilst every workspace or site is different, there are common themes when assessing risk. Risk Safety Services have worked with many clients so we can very quickly identify risks. In addition, we understand what constitutes a more unique level of risk. As part of a risk assessment for woodworking companies, this is based on the location, type of work being undertaken or the tools and machinery required to complete the job.
Information for a Risk Assessment
Under UK law, all organisations with 5 or more staff are required to carry out written health and safety risk assessments covering all significant hazards. Health & Safety Executive guidance details a 5-step approach to conducting these analyses.
- Identify the hazards present in the workplace.
- Identify those at risk from the hazards, including employees, contractors and visitors. Workers who are particularly vulnerable should also be considered, such as young people, new staff members and new or expectant mothers.
- Evaluate the danger, taking into account the likelihood of accidents. Also, identify and evaluate existing controls that are in place to reduce risks.
- Record findings on a suitable form.
- Review the assessment on a regular basis or when things change, such as when new equipment is installed, processes change or accidents occur.
Contact Risk Safety Services
Trust the experts at Risk Safety Services to support you with health and safety in the workplace. We are experienced health and safety consultants based in Kent and welcome your enquiries. Contact us today for your FREE consultation with our team of experts.