Do your Risk Assessment

It seems that in every industry there are a number of specific risks. In law, a lawyer runs the risk of not being paid if he or she fails to win a case for their client. In the world of movies, an actor runs the risk of being typecast if he or she does not try to distance themselves from previous roles. And in the pharmaceutical world, a pharmacist runs the risk of contaminating their patients if they do not seek Extractables and Leachables support. As you can see, the severity of the risk can vary considerably from industry to industry, but the process of assessing risk is essentially the same across the board. In business, you are constantly encountering risks in your daily life, and knowing how to assess risks as you go is an incredibly valuable skill.

Identify the Hazard

Before you can identify a hazard, you must understand the distinction between a hazard and a risk. A hazard is something which carries the potential to do damage or cause harm in some way. The risk, on the other hand, is the likelihood of that hazard causing harm. Identifying hazards is not something one can learn instantaneously. Some people in business are more naturally alert and are able to spot hazards a mile off, others must learn to look for them. Try thinking hypothetically if you can regarding potential dangers in your workplace.

Who Might be Affected?

Having identified the hazard, you need to decide who may be at risk and in what way they may be at risk. For example, workers in an industrial plant may be at risk of electrocution.

Set the Controls

Once you have completed the first two steps, you must now look at implementing systems which will prevent or considerably reduce the possibility of the harm being realized  For example, in the above circumstance you would either ensure that workers had no access to areas in which they would be likely to get electrocuted, or you would provide them with protective equipment in order to significantly reduce the possibility of the hazard causing harm.

Keep a Record

It is very important that you keep a strict record of all risks encountered by any staff. Through your records, you must be able to demonstrate how you were able to identify the risk or risks, how you decided who was at risk and how, and finally, how you acted on the risks in order to minimise or remove them completely.

Review and Update

You must keep in mind that workplaces will vary over a period of time, and that new risks and hazards will constantly be evolving and changing as your work environment does. Therefore it is also essential that you review your risk assessments as often as possible, to ensure that no hazards ever turn into full blown accidents.