Page 128 - Civil Engineering Project Management, Fourth Edition

should be evaluated. This is a new requirement and should be read in con-
junction with CDM Regulation 13 on the duties of designers.
The principles of prevention set out in Schedule 1 of the Management
Regulations are as follows: Health and safety regulations 113
(a) avoiding risks;
(b) evaluating risks which cannot be avoided;
(c) combating risks at source;
(d) adapting the work to the individual, especially as regards the design of
workplaces, the choice of work equipment and the choice of working and
production methods, with a view, in particular, to alleviating monotonous
work and work at a predetermined work-rate and to reducing their effect
on health;
(e) adapting to technical progress;
(f) replacing the dangerous by the non-dangerous or the less dangerous;
(g) developing a coherent overall prevention policy which covers technology,
organization of work, working conditions, social relationships and the
influence of factors relating to the working environment;
(h) giving collective protective measures priority over individual protective
measures;
(i) giving appropriate instructions to employees.

10.8 Risk assessment

Risk assessment forms an integral part of the design function when a deci-
sion has to be taken between the risk to health and safety and other design
considerations.
Risk is defined as the likelihood of potential harm from a hazard being
realized. A hazard includes articles, substances, plant or machines, methods of
work, the working environment and other aspects of work environment with
the potential to cause harm.
The HSE have provided guidance on the execution of risk assessments in
their ‘Five Steps to Risk Assessment’ leaflet. The document is aimed at work-
place risks; however it is a useful model for engineers to follow during the
design and construction phases of a project. Risk assessment is set out under
the following steps:

1. Look for hazards.
2. Decide who might be harmed and how.
3. Evaluate the risks and decide whether the existing precautions are adequate
or whether more should be done.
4. Record your findings.
5. Review your assessment and revise if necessary.