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1. Module 1. What risk assessment is and the law

   A risk assessment is a careful look at what in your work could harm people, so you can decide whether you are doing enough to prevent it. It is the foundation of health and safety management.

   What you will learn

   • Explain the difference between a hazard and a risk.
   • Describe the legal duties in the UK.
   • Explain who should carry out a risk assessment.

   Key points

   • A hazard can cause harm; risk is the chance and severity of the harm.
   • Every employer must assess risks, and record the findings if there are five or more employees.
   • A suitable and sufficient assessment covers significant hazards, everyone at risk and reasonable controls.
   • It must be specific to your workplace, not just a template.

   Based on: Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulations 3 and 4 and Schedule 1; Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974; HSE guidance INDG163, Risk assessment: a brief guide.

2. Module 2. Steps 1 and 2: finding hazards and who might be harmed

   The first two steps are about seeing your workplace with fresh eyes and thinking about everyone who could be hurt.

   What you will learn

   • Identify hazards using several methods.
   • Identify the people who could be harmed, including vulnerable groups.
   • Include health hazards, not only safety hazards.

   Key points

   • Use walk-rounds, staff input, records and instructions to find hazards.
   • Include health hazards such as noise, dust, chemicals and stress.
   • Think about everyone, especially young workers, new and expectant mothers, lone workers, contractors and the public.
   • Record how each group could be harmed.

   Based on: Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulations 3 and 4 and Schedule 1; Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974; HSE guidance INDG163, Risk assessment: a brief guide.

3. Module 3. Step 3: evaluating risk and choosing controls

   Once you know the hazards and who is at risk, decide how serious each risk is and what more needs to be done.

   What you will learn

   • Use a simple risk rating.
   • Apply the principles of prevention and hierarchy of control.
   • Decide whether existing controls are enough.

   Key points

   • Rate risks by likelihood and severity, and act on high risks first.
   • Follow the principles of prevention: avoid, combat at source, adapt work to people, replace dangerous with less dangerous.
   • Use the hierarchy of control, with PPE as the last line of defence.
   • Reduce risks so far as is reasonably practicable.

   Based on: Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulations 3 and 4 and Schedule 1; Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974; HSE guidance INDG163, Risk assessment: a brief guide.

4. Module 4. Steps 4 and 5: recording, acting and reviewing

   A risk assessment only protects people if the actions happen, staff know about it, and it is kept up to date.

   What you will learn

   • Record findings clearly with an action plan.
   • Tell staff and make sure controls are used.
   • Review the assessment at the right times.

   Key points

   • Record hazards, who is at risk, controls, ratings, actions, owners and dates.
   • Tell staff and contractors, and make sure the controls are used.
   • Review regularly and after changes, accidents, near misses or concerns.
   • An action not done is a risk not controlled.

   Based on: Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulations 3 and 4 and Schedule 1; Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974; HSE guidance INDG163, Risk assessment: a brief guide.

HygieneReady certificates confirm completion of training. They are not a regulated qualification. Definitions of the key terms are in the glossary.