Risk Assessment

Risk Assessment

This crucial process is at the heart of all safety activities, and is mandatory for CE marking. For PUWER, the HSE’s PUWER ACOP (Approved Code of Practice) makes clear that risk assessment is an essential part of conformity (although it is not specifically called for in the PUWER regulations).

Risk Assess first! – then use standards to reduce the risks according to the risk score.


Proper risk assessment avoids overkill and ensures control measures make an effective contribution to safety, concentrating resources and safety features where needed rather than being wasted on trivial aspects where risk is negligible. A proper application of standards, whether EU, British or International, supports this approach and ensures consistency with industry norms.

Technique

Although specialist industries and sectors have evolved their own risk assessment methods (e.g. nuclear, shipping) our recommended method for most organisations is based on EN ISO 12100:2010. This standard replaces EN ISO 14121-1 and supports both CE marking and PUWER. In some cases, notably in process industries, a HAZOP technique is more suitable than this standard. In a few instances, risk assessment can be supported by FMEA (Failure Mode & Effect Analysis) and FTA (Fault Tree Analysis). We can conduct machine-based, task-based, or Hazop risk assessments and train your staff in the best method for your business.