Do I need a risk assesment??

[Andymacp9]

Hi

I'm looking for some advice please.

 

I worked previously contracting for SSE powerlines work, where you have to do risk assessments, ppe, method statements and paperwork for everything. I've moved to a new company where I'm still self employed but basically running the day to day manual work. The owner is a bit old school and reckons I don't need to do risks assessment, loler or full ppe.

What exactly is the law and consequences of not doing them.

Cheers

Andy

[AlvinD]

AFAIK No risk assessment - no insurance cover?

[treequip]

AFAIK No risk assessment - no insurance cover?

 

That will depend on what your insurer specified in your policy.

 

There is no requirement for a written R.A. for small numbers of staff (cant remember how many) but thats just not recorded, it doesn’t men you dont need a R.A.

[hedgesparrow]

AFAIK No risk assessment - no insurance cover?

 

+1 if you do not cover your back and do it to the letter then insurance will walk away.

[Andymacp9]

Cheers for the reply treequip but you've just confused me more.

There's only ever 4 of us all self employed and working in private gardens.

[WillTimberlake]

If I was you I would make all workers operating chainsaws (of any size) wear PPE. Its just a necessity!

 

Risk Assessments and Method Statements should be done by law but you lots of smaller companies don't - but a lot of insurance companies won't cover you if you haven't/don't do them. Its usually the larger companies (SSE for example) who do them.

 

I hope that helps buddy :-)

 

All the best, Willow.

[Andymacp9]

I known I'm being a bit of devils advocate but if the insurance company asked for the R.A then you could write it out after. Is there anyone who can come onto site and ask to see one. HSE, council, etc

[slack ma girdle]

If you have less than 4 people working for you, then you do not have to but a risk assessment. BUT if something goes wrong you have to prove what steps you have taken to minimise the risks:

How do you do that......... A risk assessment

[Kev Stephenson]

5 people is the limit for the WRITTEN risk assessment but if you have an accident you need to try and prove you at least had a verbal assessment with all staff involved. This can be as simple as everyone looking at the job and pointing out the various hazards while waiting for the customer to sort the morning brews

[AlvinD]

That will depend on what your insurer specified in your policy.

 

There is no requirement for a written R.A. for small numbers of staff (cant remember how many) but thats just not recorded, it doesn’t men you dont need a R.A.

 

Something's nagging at me saying the amount of people is 5?

 

Argh too late