WORKPLACE RISK ASSESSMENT
A workplace risk assessment is not a document that should remain unchanged for years. When working conditions, equipment, technology or work organisation change, the existing assessment should also be reviewed.
In practice, risk assessments often become outdated simply because the business develops faster than the documentation.
New machinery or work equipment
When new machinery, tools or technical solutions are introduced, new hazards may appear or the level of existing risks may change.
The risk assessment should reflect the actual equipment in use, including operation, maintenance, cleaning and foreseeable hazardous situations.
Changes in work organisation or processes
Risks may also change when the same task is performed differently, job responsibilities change or new processes are introduced.
If the document describes an old way of working, it no longer provides a reliable picture of the actual working environment.
Changes to the workplace or premises
Moving premises, reorganising production areas, changing traffic routes, storage arrangements or equipment layouts may affect both physical and organisational risks.
In these situations, the existing risk assessment should be checked against the new environment.
New information or a changed risk level
A review may also be needed when new information becomes available about the effects of a hazard or when the previous risk level no longer reflects actual conditions.
An accident, near miss or other hazardous event may also show that existing control measures need to be reconsidered.
Risk assessments and work instructions should match
If a risk assessment changes significantly, related work instructions, training materials and checklists should also be reviewed.
Documentation should work as one system rather than as a collection of unrelated files.
When is a practical review worthwhile?
A good time to review an existing risk assessment is when equipment, processes, premises, responsibilities or working methods have changed.
If the actual work has changed but the risk assessment has not, the document is probably ready for an update.