In any workplace, ensuring the safety and well-being of employees and others is paramount. One fundamental component of creating a safe working environment is the regular assessment of risks. By systematically identifying potential hazards and evaluating associated risks, organizations can proactively implement measures to prevent accidents and protect both their staff and others. This post delves into the importance of assessing risk as an integral part of safe systems of work.
- A safe system of work outlines some key pillars :
- The process of assessing risk,
- Training,
- Effective communication,
- Record keeping.
Assessing Risk
The statement “Assessing Risk – Regular risk assessments should be carried out to identify potential hazards both to your staff and others, and assess the associated risks” emphasises the foundation of a safe working environment. The Risk assessment is the cornerstone of safety management, enabling organizations to pinpoint potential dangers and evaluate the likelihood and severity of associated risks.
Identification of Potential Hazards:
Regular risk assessments empower organizations to identify the all important potential hazards effectively. This process involves a comprehensive examination of the workplace, machinery, equipment, and work processes. If you are setting out on holiday and you are towing a trailer , what are the thing that could harm you and others , and have they been effectively managed. Rusted trailer mounts, poor electrical wiring, worn tyres are all hazards. By recognizing potential threats, from the seemingly mundane to the more complex, organizations can take targeted action to mitigate these risks before they end in tragedy.
Assessment of Associated Risks:
Beyond identifying hazards, the assessment of associated risks is crucial. Take 5’s JHA or Job Hazard analysis are some of many key tool used to assess the risk. This involves evaluating the likelihood of an incident occurring and the potential consequences if it does. By assigning a level of risk to each identified hazard, organizations can prioritize their efforts and resources to address the most critical issues first.
Preventative Measures and Controls:
One of the primary benefits of regular risk assessments is the ability to implement preventative measures and controls. Armed with a clear understanding of potential risks, organizations can develop and implement strategies to eliminate or reduce these risks. This may involve modifying work processes, investing in safety equipment, or providing additional training to employees.
Proactive Approach to Safety:
A proactive approach to safety is essential in fostering a culture of prevention rather than reaction. Regular risk assessments enable organizations to stay ahead of potential issues, preventing accidents before they happen. This not only protects the well-being of employees but also safeguards the reputation of the organization and minimizes the potential for legal and financial consequences.
Compliance and Record Keeping:
While compliance is important is not the reason, we do safety. We do safety so that we get home safe. And doing regular risk assessments, and proper record keeping will help you organisation and ptoactively exceed any required safety standards. More importantly this demonstrates a commitment to the well-being of employees and others associated with the workplace and a far better workplace culture.
So as we embark on our holiday and as we begin a new , safer year, lets enrue we make assessing risk a critical component of our safe systems of work. Regular risk assessments provide organizations with the tools to evaluate associated risks and implement preventative measures. By fostering a proactive approach to safety, organizations can create a work environment that prioritises the well-being of everyone involved. And through this commitment to continuous improvement, organizations can build a foundation of safety that benefits both employees and the broader community.
Check out the TOKN FieldSafe Suite to how technology can take you risk assessment to a whole new level.
FieldSafe Software
FieldSafe is a cutting edge cloud safety solution that features digital tools, smart mobiles apps and cloud data widgets to proactively manage your safe system of work and ensure a complete compliance record. Used by technicians everywhere, FieldSafe is fast to deploy and puts safety in the hands of the people that matter most.
“What we are most proud of here is the focus on female safety with our new discreet safe comms and messaging options. Broader and improved incident management that’s easy to use, with physical illness and environmental options. Mobile learning management that works. All integrated on the TOKN cloud platform with the most intuitive apps.”
– Clinton Schroeder, CEO and co founder of TOKN Technology
Key features
- Intuitive risk assessment apps with SWMS – Assess your work and plan ahead. Evaluate what can harm you, what controls you need to have in place and where those controls are effective in reducing the risk. Submit risk assessments on the go, wherever you are.
- Broader and improved incident management – Complete incident reports quickly and easily with environmental and physical illness options. Effortlessly report incidents in the palm of your hand and minimise administrative burden.
- Smarter Journey Management – Let TOKN track your journey and notify your manager for help if required. Travel between sites while staying connected with your team and get home safe.
- Mobile LMS – Create training modules and inductions for your team to complete on the go. Track your team’s learning progress and see who has or hasn’t completed the training material. Learn where your team’s strengths are and the areas they may struggle with.
- Complete Compliance record – Store all your safety records in one secure place. Keep your mind at peace with complete documentation safely stored and ready to be accessed when needed.
Benefits of FieldSafe
- A simplified safe system of work
- Immediate visibility of your complete digital compliance record of every safety interaction
- Proactively manage risks and keep your team safe
- Smart messaging – get notified ahead of time
- Track all your safety interactions as they happen and avoid the risk of failing to act with proactive action management
- Engaged employees with a better user experience on all devices – no more paper!
- Saved cost with our low-cost cloud based service SaaS solution
- A more informed team who is up to date with mobile learning management
- Extendable and customisable to suit your system of work
- Integrated with your job management and business systems