A risk assessment is essentially an examination and plan regarding the associated health & safety risks with a construction project. A risk assessment must do the following: 

• Identify the risks of a project which can be removed
• Review the risks and hazards which can be avoided
• Set up controls and processes to manage and mitigate the risks
• Monitor the effectiveness of these measures

For a construction project a risk assessment will likely include: The construction works, temporary works and to the operation, maintenance, cleaning, alteration and demolition of a completed project. As well as relating to risks associated with the surrounding areas.

Risk assessments are hugely important in the construction industry due to the amount of risks present when working on a construction site. The Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations (1999) ensure employers are required to carry out sufficient risk assessments regarding the health & safety of their employees as well as third parties.

The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (2015) also require clients to make suitable arrangements for project management, which must ensure that the work can be carried out without risk to the health & safety of anyone who is affected by the project. 

Why is a risk assessment important?

1. To raise awareness of the risks and hazards associated with a project – Increased awareness can ensure that employers and their employees are better prepared and sufficiently equipped for the potential hazards they may face each day. This awareness enables a safer working environment, not only for the employees but also any third parties.

2. Eliminate unnecessary risks – Risk assessments can lead to: 

• Identification of safer alternative options
• Restricted access to hazardous sites
• Correct use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) 
• Redesign of processes to make them safer
  
  3. Enhanced communication with employees – This is hugely important for any project going ahead as employees can ensure they are best protected against potential risks which reduces accidents & injuries on site.

   

  4. Ensures compliance with Health & Safety regulations – Companies with over 5 employees are required by law to carry out a risk assessment and share this with their workers. This will ensure your company is protected & not liable for any damages. 

Why is a risk assessment still important for ongoing maintenance of a project?

Risk assessment is always going to be important for a construction project, especially when it comes to maintenance and repairs of the building. The benefits of a risk assessment for ongoing maintenance include: 

• Encouraged communication between employees – Your workers are one of your best resources for detecting potential risks and hazards on site. Encouraging open communication can ensure that nothing is missed when it comes to safety. 
• Choosing appropriate controls – Ongoing risk assessment will ensure that you are consistently developing controls to ensure you continue to minimise risks. 
• Plans for non-routine operations – Having ongoing risk assessment for day-to-day activity & maintenance is useful to apply to any unusual work taking place, for example, creating a unique risk assessment for what to do when faced with bad weather or a fire.

What else can you do?

If a risk assessment is not required, you can carry out a RAMS (Risk Assessment Method Statement). These are usually created after a formal risk assessment, however they are not required by law. RAMS will contain details of the identified hazards as well as step-by-step guides for workers showing them how to work around the hazard. 

Does my business need to use RAMS? 

RAMS is always useful as they improve the health & safety of your business operations. They are especially useful in the construction industry as there are a huge number of risks faced on a daily basis. 

RAMS are also beneficial to demonstrate safer work practices, enhancing the standards of your company. 

The benefits of RAMS include: 

• Enhanced decision making – These statements will add to a risk assessment by showing how a task should be carried out safely rather than just identifying the risk. 
• Less misunderstandings – Method statements create a clear and formal process for carrying out a task. These are better than verbal or informal instructions as the message stays consistent. 
• Improved processes – Creating a step-by-step guide will not only improve health & safety, but also create improved processes and enhanced productivity of workers.
• Reduced risk of fines or penalties – As RAMS help you improve workplace health & safety and enhance your compliance with risk management legislation.
• Safeguard your business reputation – Ensuring a safe working environment will help create a good business reputation as a brand who cares about the safety of their workers.

At AJH Consultancy we have a variety of services to deliver risk analysis and risk management systems before commencing on a project. 

We can ensure that our clients can minimise the number and size of disputes in a contract, ensuring that all parties to a contract fully understand their risks and obligations. Get in touch with our team before starting your next construction project.