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There may be a high priority to reduce a high risk; however, the action needed may take a very
long time to carryout. It is therefore not always helpful to class all high risks as requiring a
solution within an immediate timescale. It is important not to ignore the risk and often it is
possible to carry out some aspects of lesser control on an interim basis, while the longer-‐term
solution is being established.

4. Record Your Findings

The significant findings of the assessment must be recorded and
kept. There should, then, be a record of all hazards, the risks that
they present and what precautions are in place to protect people
from harm. This written record is an important reference for future
use – as the basis for reviewing risks, but also as information for
enforcement officers or even as evidence in any proceedings arising
from an accident involving the risk.

The record needs to cover all significant risks and state the current
position – for example,
“electrical wiring checks carried out in Work site ABC and everything found to be satisfactory”.

If the company has less than five employees it is not necessary to prepare this written record,
although it is always useful to keep one anyway.

5. Review your Assessments and Revise if Necessary

The way we work is constantly changing – as a result of new or modifications of existing
equipment, building alterations, new procedures, new or modified products, etc. Sometimes
systems and procedures get changed by the staff themselves. These all bring their own
hazards, but new hazards can also arise in existing methods of work – the effects of stress is a
recent example.

In addition, the following should always prompt a review

• Followed by an accident or an increase in near misses
• Significant change in the procedure, equipment and substances.
• New hazard information available as a result of health surveillance.
• Change or update in the legislation for e.g. Occupational Exposure Limits to hazardous
substance.

It is also good practice to review risk assessment regularly, however many organisations have a
system of annual review of risk assessment.

POSHE V2| Unit IG1 – Element 3 – Managing Risks – Understanding People and Processes 40