Risk Assessment

A hazard is anything that could cause harm.

When assessing a university, consider the wide range of activities and environments, not just conventional office risks.

Examples:

• Slips, trips and falls
• Working at height
• Machinery and workshop equipment
• Electrical equipment
• Chemicals and hazardous substances (COSHH)
• Fire
• Asbestos
• Manual handling
• Lone working
• Violence or challenging behaviour
• Stress and work-related mental health
• Art installations and exhibitions
• Events and performances
• Contractors
• Students with additional needs
• Vehicles and deliveries
• Out-of-hours or unstaffed buildings

Key question:

What could cause someone harm?

. Decide who might be harmed and how

Consider everyone who could be affected, not just employees.

For a university this could include:

• Staff
• Students
• Visitors
• Contractors
• Agency workers
• Researchers
• Members of the public
• Event attendees
• Delivery drivers
• Cleaning and security staff

You should also consider whether particular groups could be at greater risk, for example:

• Young people
• New or inexperienced students/staff
• People with disabilities
• Pregnant workers
• People working alone
• People unfamiliar with the building
• Students undertaking practical or experimental work

Key question:

Who could be harmed and what could happen to them?

This is where you determine how serious the risk is and whether existing controls that are in place are suitable and reduce the risk

The important point is that the assessment should drive action, rather than simply be words on a piece of paper

Use the hierarchy of controls, prioritising measures that remove or reduce the hazard rather than relying solely on PPE or individual behaviour.

Key question:

What are we already doing, and what more needs to be done?

The significant findings should be documented and communicated.

A good university risk assessment should normally include:

• Activity/location
• Hazards identified
• Who might be harmed
• Existing controls
• Initial risk rating
• Additional controls required
• Person responsible
• Target completion date
• Residual risk rating
• Review date

For example:

Hazard: Student using a power tool in an art workshop
Risk: Cuts or other injury
Controls: Competency training, guarding, appropriate supervision, pre-use checks, suitable PPE and emergency arrangements
Further action: Workshop induction to be completed before equipment access
Responsible person: Workshop Manager
Residual risk: Low/acceptable following controls

The key is to make sure actions are actually completed, rather than simply recorded.

Risk assessments are living documents.

They should be reviewed when:

• There is an accident or near miss
• An activity changes
• New equipment is introduced
• New chemicals are introduced
• A building or workspace changes
• Legislation or guidance changes
• There is a significant change in staffing or students
• Controls are found to be ineffective
• Monitoring or inspections identify problems
• A reasonable period has passed according to the university's review arrangements

For UCA, some assessments may need more frequent review because activities change rapidly—for example workshops, student exhibitions, performances and events.