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UNIT 5 �HEALTH & SAFETY �IN �CONSTRUCTION

Dr Adewale Abimbola, FHEA, GMICE

www.edulibrary.co.uk

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AIM & OBJECTIVES

Aim: Risk Assessment

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Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

  • Discuss the principles of risk assessment
  • Explain the steps to risk assessment.
  • Produce a risk assessment for a construction activity.

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INTRODUCTION - RISK ASSESSMENT

  • Risk assessment is a systematic process of identifying, analysing, and evaluating potential risks associated with construction projects.
  • Risk assessment is a mandatory requirement under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations.
  • The principles of risk assessment set out under Regulation 3 of the MHSWR 1999 are summarised as follows:
  • Every employer must make a risk assessment for their employees and non-employees who undertake or would be affected by their work. This also applies to every self-employed person.
  • Risk assessment must be recorded in writing when five or more people are connected to the project.
  • Risk assessment must be reviewed when working conditions change.
  • If young persons are employed, then specific risk assessments must be carried out in relation to risks to their health and safety.
  • Considerations should also be given to new or expectant mothers.

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RISK ASSESSMENT

Principles of risk prevention

They are adhered to by (principal) designers, (principal) contractors , and subcontractors.

  • (a) Avoid risks where possible.
  • (b) If not, evaluate the risks; determine the significance of identified risks, probability assessment, and establish risk tolerance levels.
  • (c) Then, put in place reasonably practicable safety measures to control the risks at source; Protective gear (PPE), training programs, designated pathways, safety protocols, etc.

Key Components of Risk Assessment

  • Identification: Recognising potential hazards, uncertainties, and challenges in the construction process.
  • Analysis: Evaluating the likelihood and impact of identified risks on the project.

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RISK ASSESSMENT

The five steps to risk assessment

  • The risk assessment process can be broken down into five main steps, as outlined by the HSE (IDERR) (Pearson, 2017):
  • Identify the hazards; site-specific hazards, design uncertainties, environmental factors.
  • Decide who might be harmed by these hazards; impact analysis, and risk prioritisation.
  • Evaluate the risks and precautions to be taken
  • Record your findings
  • Review your assessment and update the records

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EVALUATION OF RISK ASSESSMENT

Risk rating of hazards

  • In assessing the risk from the hazard, they are rated by the likelihood that the hazard will cause harm and the severity/consequence if it were to occur.
  • Risk = Likelihood

X

Severity/consequence

Figure 1. Risk assessment matrix (Software Sustainability Institute, 2020)

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Risk rating of hazards

  • If the Risk Rating is between
  • Score 1 or 2 - Low, Continue with existing control, however, monitor for changes.
  • Score 3 or 4 - Medium Low, Requires attention to reduce the rating and regular ongoing monitoring.
  • Score 6, 8 or 9 - Medium High, Requires immediate attention to bring the risk down to an acceptable level.
  • Score 12 or 16 - High, Stop immediately. Risk is too high and not acceptable .

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EVALUATION OF RISK ASSESSMENT

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RISK ASSESSMENT

Risk rating of hazards

  • The more complex the work, the bigger the matrix can become
  • Employers often use numbers on risk assessment forms as they take up less space.
  • A key is used to reflect what the numbers mean

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  • Risk assessment sample HSE

http://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/controlling-risks.htm

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Figure 2. A 5×5 risk matrix example (SafetyCulture, 2023)

Figure 3. A 5×5 risk matrix example (Dean, 2022)

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IMPORTANCE OF RISK ASSESSMENT

  • Proactive Hazard Identification: Risk assessment allows for the systematic identification of potential hazards before they can cause harm, ensuring a proactive approach to safety.
  • Enhanced Safety Planning: It facilitates the development of comprehensive safety plans, taking into account potential risks and allowing for the implementation of preventive measures.
  • Worker Protection: By identifying and addressing potential hazards, risk assessment plays a crucial role in protecting the health and safety of workers on construction sites.
  • Minimised Incidents: Minimises the likelihood of accidents, injuries, and property damage by addressing risks before they escalate.
  • Legal Compliance: Ensures compliance with safety regulations and standards, reducing the risk of legal consequences and liabilities.

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IMPORTANCE OF RISK ASSESSMENT

Cost Savings: Identifying risks early on allows for the implementation of cost-effective preventive measures, reducing the likelihood of costly incidents and associated expenses.

Improved Decision-Making: Risk assessment provides valuable information for project managers and stakeholders, enabling informed decision-making throughout the construction process.

Stakeholder Confidence: Thorough risk assessment and management instil confidence in project stakeholders, including investors, clients, and regulatory bodies, regarding the project's safety and success.

Continuous Improvement: Regular risk assessment fosters a culture of continuous improvement, encouraging the adaptation of safety protocols based on changing site conditions and project phases.

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GROUP-ASSESSMENT TASK

Construction sites are full of physical hazards. On the site where you work, extensive crane operations are being carried out to construct a high-rise building in a busy urban area.

  1. Identify the risks associated with the crane operations.
  2. If there were injuries from the risks identified, how severe would they be?
  3. How can the risks and severity be reduced?

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SELF-ASSESSMENT TASK

Produce risk assessments, identifying hazards and safety precautions to be carried out for a roof construction activity.

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Additional Information: First choose one of the three templates below; (Form 1, Form 2, Form 3 ) Then, use your workplace risk assessment template.

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REFERENCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY