Risk assessment and management
The basic principles of health and safety legislation rely on understanding activities and practices which might cause harm (hazards), and what might happen (risk) if such activities and practices are not adequately controlled. The process of identifying and managing risk relies on a basic understanding of the relationship between hazards and risk.
It is very important that the definitions of and relationship between hazard and risk are suitably understood prior to carrying out the risk assessment process at your church buildings.
Hazard – Something with the potential to cause harm
Risk – The likelihood that the hazard will cause harm
Risk management is the process of identifying hazards to which employees, volunteers and the general public may be exposed and assessing and managing the risk of these hazards causing harm. When these hazards cannot be eliminated or removed, suitable control measures should be implemented to reduce the likelihood of harm occurring. The process of risk management is relatively straightforward and is outlined below.
Five-step model for carrying out and reviewing risk assessments
The HSE has produced a widely accepted and easy to follow five-step model for carrying out and reviewing risk assessments. This model is purposely designed to have a perpetual and never-ending process aimed at ensuring a constant review of the risk assessments and aimed at ensuring continuous improvement and control of the hazards and risks identified.
The steps are as follows:
- Identify the hazards
- Decide who might be harmed
- Evaluate risk
- Record significant findings
- Review
Following the review, the process should begin again, to ensure constant awareness and evaluation of risks in your buildings.