The importance of assessing health and safety
risks in the work setting
You, your employer and others in the work setting all have an obligation to
minimise risk and promote safe practice. Risk assessment makes safe practice
more likely for the following reasons:
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The process will identify hazards and minimise the chances of harm.
Training staff and, where appropriate, people with learning disabilities and
carers, in risk assessment and providing information minimises the risks of
accidents and other hazards.
Risks can change over time so it is important to review assessments and
amend as necessary so that they are appropriate to the current situation.
Effective risk assessment provides better opportunities for people with
learning disabilities to live their lives the way they want and make informed
choices and decisions, with the necessary level of support. It can help you
deal with the dilemma between an individual’s rights and protecting him or
her from harm. In cases where the person him or herself does not have the
capacity to understand the risk, risk assessment can help the person’s carer
to make the relevant choices and decisions.
Assessment of risk may indicate that changes would enhance health and
safety and minimise risks. For example, working practices can be changed
to make them safer or they can be updated or more appropriate equipment
might minimise risks. The assessment might indicate the need for more
relevant training.
Assessment can make people more aware of risks and ways to avoid or
minimise them.
Involving people with learning disabilities in risk assessment can provide
opportunities for them to understand risk, balance risks and benefits, make
more informed choices and avoid or deal more effectively with adverse
situations.
Risk assessments can enable staff to bring to the employer’s attention
anything that may pose a risk, but has not previously been identified....