Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, all employers in Ireland are legally required to identify hazards in the workplace, assess the risks arising from those hazards, and put in place appropriate control measures. The risk assessment must be recorded in writing and reviewed regularly. Despite this clear legal requirement, the Health and Safety Authority estimates that a significant proportion of Irish employers — particularly in the SME sector — do not have adequate risk assessments in place.
Step 1: Identify the Hazards
A hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm. Walk around your workplace with fresh eyes and ask: what could hurt someone here? Common hazards include slippery floors, heavy loads, chemical substances, electrical equipment, working at height, and workplace violence. Don't forget hazards that are not immediately obvious, such as stress, noise, and vibration.
Step 2: Decide Who Might Be Harmed and How
For each hazard identified, consider who might be harmed and in what circumstances. Remember to consider not just employees but also contractors, visitors, members of the public, and vulnerable groups such as new or expectant mothers, young workers, and workers with disabilities.
Step 3: Evaluate the Risks and Decide on Precautions
Risk is a combination of the likelihood that harm will occur and the severity of that harm if it does. A simple 3x3 or 5x5 risk matrix can help prioritise which risks require the most urgent attention. For each significant risk, identify what controls are already in place and whether they are adequate.
Step 4: Record Your Findings and Implement Them
The risk assessment must be recorded in writing. The record should identify the hazards, the people at risk, the existing controls, and any additional actions required. Assign responsibility for each action to a named individual and set a completion date.
Step 5: Review Your Assessment and Update If Necessary
Risk assessments are not a one-off exercise. They must be reviewed regularly and updated whenever there is a significant change in the workplace, following an accident or near-miss, or when new information becomes available. A good practice is to review all risk assessments at least annually.
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