
Risk Assessment
It is a legal requirement for employers to identify hazards in the workplaces under their control and assess the risk presented by the hazards.
Risk assessments are crucial as they aim to reduce the risk of injury and illness associated with work.
Risks must be written down and control measures must be decided.
Any potential cause to harm is a ‘hazard.’ Potential causes to harm in terms of human injury or ill health can be:
- work materials
- equipment
- work methods or practices
- poor work design
- exposure to harmful agents such as chemicals, noise or vibration.