Topic 2 of 5

Risk assessments and method statements

A risk assessment looks at what could go wrong on a job and what you'll do to stop it. A method statement then sets out how to do the job safely, step by step.

Hazard or risk?

• A hazard is anything that could cause harm: a live conductor, a ladder, a trailing cable.
• A risk is the chance of that harm happening and how bad it would be.

Many companies score risk as likelihood × severity, for example 1 to 5 each. A score of 4 × 5 = 20 is high and must be reduced before work starts.

The five steps (HSE)

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 put them into action.
5. Review the assessment and update it if things change.

The hierarchy of control

Work from the top down. Removing the hazard altogether beats relying on people wearing the right gear.

• Eliminate: work dead instead of live.
• Substitute: use a less hazardous product or a lower-risk method.
• Engineering controls: guards, barriers, dust extraction.
• Administrative controls: permits to work, signs, training, safe systems of work.
• PPE: gloves, goggles, hard hats. Always the last line of defence.

Method statements

A method statement (or safe system of work) lists the steps of a task in order, the equipment needed, who does what and the controls from the risk assessment. Together they're often called RAMS.

Exam tip: if a question asks for the most effective control, look for the answer that removes the hazard. PPE is never the most effective.