EXAMPLE RISK ASSESSMENT

             

Company name: XXXXX                            Date of risk assessment: 03//02/2010

 

 

What are the   hazards? Who might be harmed and how? What are you already   doing? What further   action is necessary? Action by who?
 

Slips, trips   and falls

 

Staff and others, including the public, risk injuries such as fractures and bruising if   they trip over objects, or slip on spillages or on wet floors, and fall.

 

■   The right cleaning   equipment is used   for the right job, and staff follow   safe systems of work.

■   Anti-slip matting at entrances.

■   Staff monitor   entrances for wet floor surfaces   walked in.

■   Spillages cleared   up immediately, according to agreed procedures,   and the floor left dry. Caution Wet Floor.

■   Staff do not leave cleaning materials/equipment unattended.

■   For machines with cables, cleaners use socket nearest to where they are working   and use hazard   cones to warn others.

 

 

■   Periodic toolbox talks   from supervisor   to raise awareness of risk of slips and trips.

 

Shift supervisors

– at least once   every 8 weeks

■   Remind staff that, if appropriate, small   spillages can be cleaned dry using absorbent paper towels. Shift supervisors
■   Cleaners reminded to wear sensible   shoes, eg flat shoes with a good grip. Shift supervisors
■   Remind cleaners to report any uneven   floor surfaces,   inside or out, to their supervisor (who reports it to the supermarket for repair). Shift supervisors
Contact with bleach   and other cleaning chemicals Staff risk getting skin problems such as dermatitis, and eye damage, from direct contact with bleach   and

other   cleaning chemicals,

eg solvents and detergents.   Vapour may cause breathing problems.

■   Long-handled   mops/brushes, and appropriate gloves,   provided and staff trained in their use.

■   All staff trained in the risks,   use and storage of cleaning   chemicals and wear personal   protective equipment as instructed.

■   Cleaning chemicals marked ‘irritant’   substituted, where possible,   for milder alternatives.

■   Cleaning machines designed   to minimise   handling of cleaning chemicals.

■   Staff reminded   to report any health problems they think may come from cleaning, and to check for dry, red or itchy   skin on their hands. Supervisors
■   Staff reminded   to wash gloves   and aprons after   use. Supervisors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are the hazards?

Who might be harmed and how?

What are you already   doing?

What further   action is necessary?

Action by who?

 

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)   and injuries

 

Staff risk problems such as   back pain if they try to lift   objects that are heavy and/   or   awkward to carry, such as cleaning machines or

heavy waste bags, or if they   are   required to often work in awkward postures.

 

■   All staff trained   in lifting safely.

■   Staff using cleaning machines fully trained   in their use.

■   Trolleys provided for moving bags of waste and staff use them.

■   Staff do not   overfill bags and buckets.

■   Rubbish skip emptied   by sub-contractors meaning waste bags are not stacked high.

■   Mopping systems have a long-handled wringer, and a   bucket on wheels to reduce lifting   and carrying.

■   Long-handled   mops, brushes and litter pickers   provided to reduce need to   stretch and stoop.

■   Cleaning machines stored   near point of use.

 

■   Remind staff to tell supervisor   if machinery is defective so it can be taken out of   use.

 

Supervisors

Work at height,   eg high cleaning of windows and fascias Staff risk bruising and fracture   injuries if   they   fall from any   height. ■   ‘No ladders’ policy.

■   All high-level cleaning done by trained staff working from floor level, using   telescopic poles with cleaning tools attached.

■   No further action   needed at this stage.  
Verbal abuse or assault Zero Tolerance Policy. ■   Staff trained   to provide a good, polite   service that takes account of customers and others needs.

■   Staff trained   in dealing with   difficult and/or confrontational situations.

■   Staff report all instances of abuse.

■   Supervisors reminded to investigate all instances of abuse and   inform contract manager of findings   and action taken. Manager
Electrical Staff risk electric shocks or burns from faulty   electrical equipment or installation,

or from misuse   of electrical appliances.

■   Staff trained   to perform pre-use checks   on cables, switches and sockets before using electrical appliances.

■   Electrical   installation tested   and maintained by competent people according to a planned   schedule.

■   Staff trained   in basic electrical safety, eg not to splash   water near sockets.

■   Remind staff to do pre-use checks   before using electrical appliances. Supervisors
Charging and storage of batteries Staff risk burns from contact   with battery acid when charging batteries. ■   Only authorised, trained staff do this job,   wearing suitable personal protective equipment and following a safe   system of work.

■   Well-ventilated area provided for charging.

■   Safe storage area for spare motive   power batteries.

■   Put up a sign setting   out the charging procedure at the charging point. Manager

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What are the hazards? Who might be harmed and how? What are you already   doing? What further   action is necessary? Action by who?
 

Lack of awareness of   risk by staff

 

Staff, particularly temporary staff from an agency, are at risk if they are not aware of the risks on site and how   those risks are controlled.

 

■   Risk assessment discussed with all staff and a copy pinned up in staff room.

■   Temps are briefed   on safety by supervisor before beginning work.

■   Temporary staff agency provides only staff who speak   good English.

 

■   No further action   needed at this stage.

 
Fire If trapped,   staff could suffer fatal injuries from smoke   inhalation/burns. ■   Supermarket   company has done a fire risk assessment   (www.fire.gov.uk/Workplace+safety) and taken   necessary action. ■   Continue to co-operate with supermarket to ensure that all the actions   identified as necessary are done.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

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