What are risk assessments and when should they be done?

[toastie]

A few days ago I slipped on a wet pressed concrete drive and now having to have some time off. I had an amazing phone call from my DOM to let me know that I had contributed to the accident - by not reporting the drive as a Hazard!! and I am therefore subject to the attendance procedure even though it was an accident on duty!! How do I know a drive is hazardous before I slip on it???

Just a thought - can anyone tell me what is a risk assesment? and should one of them have been done on my delivery at some point? Just trying to find a way of fighting back without refusing to deliver?

[alhothi]

Risk assessment, i believe should be in the Walk log.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

It depends what you mean to be honest.

A Risk Assessment could be something as simple as you hearing a dog bark at an address and deciding if its safe to proceed.

Another Risk assessment is the list of hazards in the walk log. Both the walk holder and management have responsibilities in this area.

You also need a Risk Assessment when Delivery Methods change. For instance when a duty changes from a pouch delivery into a HCT or LWT duty. As far as I know a formal risk assessment can be just asking the duty holder for any local knowledge regarding the area and proposed delivery method.

Yet another Risk Assessment is when the manager starts actioning his severe weather plan and looks out the window when it snows.


The common thread is Risk Assessments are continuous and are the responsibility of both managers and duty holders. However a persistent hazard should be recorded in the walk log by management as soon as advised by the Duty Holder and the hazard duly highlighted on the frame. The duty holder, even if on it for only 1 day has the responsibility of actually reporting them.

This is of course a simplified answer.

[toastie]

[quote][/quote]The common thread is Risk Assessments are continuous and are the responsibility of both managers and duty holders. However a persistent hazard should be recorded in the walk log by management as soon as advised by the Duty Holder and the hazard duly highlighted on the frame. The duty holder, even if on it for only 1 day has the responsibility of actually reporting them

Thanks TBT - So it is up to me to report hazards as I am 'the duty holder'.

The drive was resurfaced in the last few weeks and seemed okay to me - so how can they expect me to be aware of the hazard and report it, before I actually became aware of it, by slipping on it when the surface was wet? I wonder if they are right in insisting that I contributed to my own AOD?

[beanmuncha]

A risk assessment is an important step in protecting your workers and your business, as well as complying with the law. It helps you focus on the risks that really matter in your workplace – the ones with the potential to cause harm. In many instances, straightforward measures can readily control risks, for example, ensuring spillages are cleaned up promptly so people do not slip or cupboard drawers kept closed to ensure people do not trip. For most, that means simple, cheap and effective measures to ensure your most valuable asset – your workforce – is protected.

A risk assessment is simply a careful examination of what, in your work, could cause harm to people, so that you can weigh up whether you have taken enough precautions or should do more to prevent harm. Workers and others have a right to be protected from harm caused by a failure to take reasonable control measures.

The law does not expect you to eliminate all risk, but you are required to protect people as far as is ‘reasonably practicable’.

from HSE (Health & Safety Executive)
You need to asses the risk to you and others, i.e." wet pressed concrete drive" is this a risk, could someone slip, has there been any incidents if answer Yes to any then this is a Hazard
and needs to be highlighted in your walk log and WRAP, you tell your DOM & H&S rep who then may if they can be bothered go out and see the Hazard. If this is on someone's property
then a letter should be sent asking either to remove/reduce hazard or have alternative delivery point. If i had fallen as you did i wouldn't be delivering to this house till this was done.

[toastie]

It is easy to assess a risk after an accident has happened - but my DOM expected me to know I was taking a risk even before I slipped on it!! - how did I know the drive would be slippy when wet?

You are right 'beanmuncha' I will not deliver untill all that has been done thank you but I am also struggling to see how DOM can say I contributed to my own AOD and it therefore becomes subject to the attendance procedure!!