When to do a risk assessment ??

[LeeWill]

My PL states that I'm covered only if I do risk assessments for every job and everyone involved has signed it. I downloaded a generic tick box and I just walk around talking about any risks and I tick the boxes, then get them to sign it. If I sub for someone else I don't usually bother tho. Not one accident in 12 years and I don't ever plan on making mistakes. If I feel dodgy about something, I stop, think about it, then do it slowly and properly (but I really am the best )

[daltontrees]

The best? Doesn't get any better than that. If I was you I'd be more worried then about subbing than when you are in control of your own jobs, unless its a main contractor you know and trust.

 

I do wonder, though, when I did my basic tickets I came out of it aware of the need for risk assessments but I could then have gone sstraight into business and never thought about where the requirement came from and what the law actually says. So at least my previous posting covers that bit, anyone that wants can refer to the Regulations more fully.

 

Ignorance of the law is no defence, but keeping it safe means you will probably never need a defence. Or a hospital.

[LeeWill]

Safety always is the first concern. It's a dangerous job that we all do here and no one wants to be responsible for putting themselves or some one else in hospital. When I first started I didn't do risk assessments and didn't work with insurance either. It was only after looking into PL that I started doing RA's. I've even done a weeks course on H&S so I knew what I was dealing with

[jamesd]

So as a subcontractor climber, when you turn up on the site would you expect who you are working for to talk you through a RA before you start work??

[daltontrees]

So as a subcontractor climber, when you turn up on the site would you expect who you are working for to talk you through a RA before you start work??

 

Definitely! Although if there are no unusual risks it should be a formality. So much of risk reduction in arb work is achieved by using people who are qualified.

[jamesd]

Definitely! Although if there are no unusual risks it should be a formality. So much of risk reduction in arb work is achieved by using people who are qualified.

 

Agreed! We tend to use a generic risk assesment as someone else on here said i think...

[Shane]

Many options, 3 main ones from what I've seen.

Never - we are careful all the time so no need for all that guff.

Always - its professional and while nobody plans a mis-hap botties must be covered just in case.

When someone is looking - if you are in a public area, sub contracting etc.

Which option you chose depends on a lot of things, attitude, fear/respect of the law.

 

Just beware that if something did happen and some smart legal bod asks you to show all your old risk assessments... its up to YOU (I think we all know the answer though)

[AA Teccie (Paul)]

As many have (quite rightly) said before, when undertaking RAs dwell on the 'significant' hazards and ignore the trivial. "Yes, I know...that scratch might become infected and your finger drops off", but, in reality, it's far more important you 'spot', and record, that uneven/unstable ground or unprotected drop etc. where if you "slip/trip/fall" you might stick that chainsaw somewhere you ought not to (see below) AND ensure all on site are adequately briefed AND sign onto the RA to confirm such.

 

At the end of the day HSE investigation / action is one thing BUT invalid insurance, as someone has mentioned, coz not following industry best practice is quite another.

 

Doing a recorded RA before a job is a discipline thing, in my experience, and can usually be achieved, AND the 'significant findings' recorded, in about 5 mins...time well spent I would say!

 

SORRY, banging on, REMEMBER an effective RA is not an exercise in form filling either!

 

There, soap-box removed and if anyone wants more we do a one-day workshop on the subject:thumbup1:

 

Cheers all n please take care out there!

Paul

SW Safety Bulletin Chainsaw Accident 8 March 2013.pdf

Edited September 22, 2013 by AA Teccie (Paul)
Missed some importnat words.

[benedmonds]

you only need to do 1, if you have 5,or more employeees ,

 

As others had said, this is wrong! You have to do one but it doesn't have to be recorded unless you have more then 5 employees.. But if it all goes pair shaped then it is going to be difficult to prove you did one if it isn't recorded.

[Dan Earp]

I keep the last 5 months worth, after that its gets scanned on to the mac