L3 YR1 Unit 306 session 8 Risk assessment

​Unit 306
The levels of risk presented by work situations

​We will now look at construction site safety from a general and personal point of view. We will examine general site hazards, and how we can either help or hinder our own health and safety and that of those around us. 

Open Ended

How would you describe the definition of an accident? 

​Preventing accidents at work 

Accidents do not just happen; they are caused.

The first step towards preventing accidents is finding out what the causes are.

Accident prevention is something that everyone needs to practise.


It means being able to recognise and take steps to remove danger, and is the responsibility of everyone working, in any way, on a construction site. 

​Learning to spot a dangerous situation is not difficult because accidents follow a regular pattern.

Every day, the same set of dangerous conditions build up and the same unsafe acts take place.


Consequently, the same kinds of accident happen repeatedly. 

​What about hazards? 

What is the difference between a hazard and a risk? 

Open Ended

What is the difference between a hazard and a risk? 

Multiple Choice

What is a hazard?

• The likelihood of harm occurring.

• The severity of harm that could occur.

• Anything that could cause harm.

• The mental calculation of danger.

Multiple Choice

What does risk involve?

• The chance of a hazard causing harm and the potential severity of that harm.

• The physical presence of a hazard.

• he immediate harm caused by a hazard.

• The long-term effects of a hazard.

Multiple Choice

How is risk typically described?

• In numerical values.

• As being high, medium, or low.

• Through a detailed report.

• By the number of hazards present.

​So now we need to think of the risks, this is broken down into two parts: 

The chance of it happening and the severity. 


What would be the likely outcome? 

Minor injury                      serious injury                               Death 

 

This process is the basis of what we call a risk assessment. 

​Risk assessments 

 

A risk assessment is a detailed examination of any factor that could cause injury, so that you or your employer can assess whether sufficient steps have been taken to prevent harm.

Other workers and the public have a right under health and safety law to be protected from any harm that may be caused by the failure to take reasonable control measures.

Your employer is legally required to assess the risks in the workplace and implement measures to control those risks. 

​So firstly, we need to think of the hazards. 

 

Hazards on-site can be divided into three specific groups: 

 

1. general site and work area cleanliness, which can lead to trips, slips and falls  

2. using equipment and PPE that is inadequate for the job, non-existent (in the case of PPE) or defective  

3.  personal conduct such as: 

    

   incorrect manual handling methods 

   incorrect methods of working at heights, in trenches and on excavations 

   not taking enough care and attention in dangerous environments 

   using equipment or carrying out activities without appropriate training 

   taking risks. 

​Risk assessment step by step 

1. Identify the hazards. 

2. Decide who might be harmed and how. 

3. Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions. 

4. Record your findings and implement them. 

5. Review your assessment and update it if necessary. 

​Follow this link and look over the risk assessment example:


warehouse.pdf

​Task
Create a risk assessment for the bathroom installation we quoted for in session 7.
You will be required to use both hand and power tools; any hot or cold-water pipework joints are to be made by soldering. 

 

Any waste pipework joints are to be solvent welded. 

 

Remember to list all the hazards you may face. 

You can use a template from online or make your own, however the risk assessment must be
completed using either Word or Excel.