The Risks Identified in Mawdesley Village Hall - Assignment Example

Table of Contents 1. Introduction……………………………………………………………….………………3 1.1. Purpose…………………………………………………………………………….…3 1.2. Scope…………………………………………………………………………………3 2. Principles of risk assessment………………………………………………………………3 3. Legal requirements……………………………………………………………………...…3 4. Analysis of the workplace…………………………………………………………………4 4.1. Description of the workplace…………………………………………………………4 4.2. The risk assessment process………………………………………………..…………4 4.3. Hazard identification…………………………………………………………………4 4.4. Persons at risk…………………………………………………………………...……5 4.5. Evaluation of the risk level……………………………………...……………………5 4.5.1. Electricity in the workplace…………………………………...………………6 4.5.2. Spillages ………………………………………………………………………6 4.5.3. Fire safety…………………………………………………………………...…6 4.5.4. Food and drinks………………………………………………………..………6 4.5.5. Pedestrian route……………………………………………………….………7 4.5.6. Vehicular route………………………………………………………………..7 4.5.7. General cleaning………………………………………………………………7 5. Risk control measures………………………………………………………………….…7 5.1. Electricity in the workplace……………………………………………………..……7 5.1.1. Information and training………………………………………………………7 5.1.2. Managerial/procedural controls………………………………………….……7 5.1.3. Physical controls………………………………………………………………7 5.2. Spillages ………………………………………………………………………..……8 5.2.1. Information and training………………………………………………………8 5.2.2. Managerial/procedural controls………………………………………….……8 5.2.3. Physical controls………………………………………………………………8 5.3. Fire safety ……………………………………………………………………………8 5.3.1. Information and training………………………………………………………8 5.3.2. Managerial/procedural controls………………………………….……………8 5.3.3. Physical controls………………………………………………………………9 5.4. Foods and drinks…………………………………………………………………..…9 5.4.1. Information and training………………………………………………………9 5.4.2. Managerial/procedural controls………………………………………………9 5.4.3. Physical controls………………………………………………………………9 5.5. Pedestrian routes ……………………………………………………………………..9 5.5.1. Information and training…………………………………………..…….…….9 5.5.2. Managerial/procedural controls………………………………………………10 5.5.3. Physical controls ………………………………………………………….…10 5.6. Vehicular routes………………………………………………………………..……10 5.6.1. Information and training…………………..………………….………………10 5.6.2. Managerial/procedural controls………………………………………………10 5.6.3. Physical controls……………………………………………………..………10 5.7. General cleaning………………………………………………………………….…11 5.7.1. Information and training………………………………………………...……11 5.7.2. Managerial/procedural controls………………………………………………11 5.7.3. Physical controls …………………………………………………………….11 6. Recommendation ………………………………………………………………………..11 7. References ……………………………………………………………………………….12 Introduction 1.1. Purpose The purpose of this risk assessment is to enable the management committee of Mawdesley Village Hall, to identify and evaluate the potential hazards and risks that their employees, contractors and customers, may encounter in the workplace. It will also help to develop appropriate measures in order to comply with the relevant health and safety legislation and, thereby, reduce the level of occupational injuries and ill health. 1.2. Scope The risk assessment assessed the work environment of Mawdesley Village Hall, describing the activities carried by the people involved. The risk assessment report addresses the potential hazards and risks, and the control measures that should be implemented to eliminate and manage the vulnerabilities related to the workplace. It covers all those who may be at risk, such as employees, customers, contractors and members of the public. Recommended health and safety measures will allow the management to comply with their legislative obligation under the Health and Safety at Work (HSW) Act 1974 and its associated regulations. 2. Principles of risk assessment Risk assessment is regarded as an essential part in the planning of health and safety management system with the aim of minimizing risks. The method of risk assessment used is aimed at deciding on priorities, and setting of objectives necessary for the elimination of hazards and therefore reducing the associated risks. The risk assessment covers both employees and non employees that are affected by the organization’s undertaking; self employed individuals who may be affected at the exposure by the undertaking (Hughes and Ferrett, 2008). In carrying out a risk assessment activity, it is however, necessary for one to be able to distinguish between a hazard and a risk. Hughes and Ferrett (2008) define a hazard as the potential of an activity, a substance or process causing harm. On the other hand a risk is the likelihood of an activity, substance or process to cause harm. The level of risk is linked to the severity of the consequences of risk. Hazards can be controlled through good management while risks are reduced (Duncan, Cahill and Heighway, 2006). 3. Legal requirements In section 2 and 3 of the HSW Act 1974, employers are required to carry out risk assessments, not only to their employees, but also other people outside employment that may be affected by the activities of the organization. Generally, this requirement applies to the work and activities carried out by an organization. However, there are regulations that are specifically concerned with the need for risk assessment i.e. the Management of Health and Safety Regulations. They require the identification of significant risks while ignoring the trivial ones, identification and prioritization of the measures required in complying with the relevant statutory provisions, and the identification of the risks that are connected to the work (Hughes and Ferrett, 2009). Further to this, more specific requirements for risk assessment are placed on employers these following legislation: Personal Protective Equipment at work regulations, confined space regulations, the control of lead at work regulations, control of substances hazardous to health regulations, ionizing radiation regulations, control of asbestos regulations, electricity at work regulations, noise at work regulations, manual handling operations regulations, health and safety (display screen equipment) regulations (Chandler, 1999). 4. Analysis of the workplace 4.1. Description of the workplace Mawdesley Village Hall is a community owned facility in Hurst Green Mawdesley, Lancashire, United Kingdom, that offers the local community with excellent rooms for hosting parties, weddings, fundraising events, as well as clubs that incorporates various interests and ages. The groups of people who use the facility include playgroup, cubs, mums and toddlers, beavers, drama, scouts, guides, mothers union, youth club; children dance classes, ballroom dancing, line dancing and ballet. They are also used for historical lectures, art classes, and as a home for a thriving branch of the third age. The building comprises of three rooms, main hall, a small hall and a bar lounge. It also has an entrance foyer, kitchen, baby changing facilities, a car park with over 40 parking bays, tennis hard courts, and 5 a-side football ground, a hearing loop and a separate disabled toilet (Mawdesley Village Hall, 2011). 4.2. The risk assessment process The risk assessment process involved five steps: hazard identification, persons at risk, evaluation of the risk level, risk controls (existing and additional), record of risk assessment findings, and monitoring and review (Hughes and Ferrett, 2008). 4.3. Hazard identification This was the crucial first step in the assessment and only significant hazards that could result into serious injuries were identified, while ignoring the trivial ones. The workplace sections were toured during the identification process. Accident, incident and ill health records were also reviewed during this process. Other sources of information used include survey and audit reports, safety inspection reports, and job or task analysis reports. The activities that were assessed include electricity in the workplace, 4.4. Persons at risk The most obvious group of people at risk at Mawdesley Village Hall is the employees and contractors who work there full time, and so it was necessary to check the competence they have in carrying out their tasks. Other groups of people who spend their time in the workplace include trainees, young workers, cleaners, maintenance workers, drivers and members of the public. The members of the public include visitors, customers and passers by. The risk assessment included additional controls required for due to the vulnerability of any of the groups. 4.5. Evaluation of the risk level During this assessment, it was noted that some of the risks had already been addressed. However, the purpose of carrying out this risk assessment was to reduce the residual risk to as low a level as reasonably practicable. A quantitative risk assessment was conducted in attempts of quantifying the risk level in terms of the likelihood of its occurrence and the subsequent severity. The likelihood of occurrence depends on the frequency of exposure to the hazards by the individuals while the severity depends on the magnitude of the hazard i.e. toxicity or voltage. According to Stranks (2003), risk levels can be determined by multiplying the severity with the likelihood. Likelihood Severity Title Description Score Title Description Score Probable Likely to take place several times in a given period 3 Catastrophic Death or total loss 5 Critical Major injury or damage 4 Occasional Likely to take place at least once in a given period 2 Serious Loss of time/ injury Illness or damage 3 Marginal First aid accident 2 Remote Unlikely to take place in a given period 1 Negligible Very minor Little consequence 1 The risk is assessed and the table below can be used to determine the risk score/ rating. Catastrophic Critical Serious Marginal Negligible Frequent 15 12 9 6 3 Occasional 10 8 6 4 2 Rare 5 4 3 2 1 Score Actions (all the risks should be reduced, if reasonably practicable, otherwise they should be eliminated) 10+ Very High Risk: Not acceptable. Apply mitigation to eliminate or to further reduce the risk 5-9 High Risk: apply mitigation so as to eliminate or reduce the risk. Develop measures to reduce and manage the hazards. 1-4 Low Risk: may be accepted if all reasonably practicable control actions have been taken, however, eliminate or reduce the risk if it is possible. 4.5.1. The first risk assessment activity carried out was on electricity in the workplace. The key hazards identified include overloaded sockets, damaged cables and equipment, use of multiple extension bars, use of electrical equipment in humid conditions, spilling liquids over equipment, trailing cables (all with a risk score of 3) and electrocution with a risk score of 5. The people who are affected include members of the staff, contractors, members of the public and visitors. 4.5.2. The second risk assessment activity was for spillages, and the identified hazards included chemical spills (risk score of 3), waters on floors from cleaning (risk score of 6), spilt drinks (risk score of 6) and other spilt drinks (risk score of 2). 4.5.3. The third assessment activity carried out was fire safety. The risk hazards associated with fire include faulty electrical wiring, overloaded electrical circuits, failure of fire detection/ alarm systems (all with risk scores of 3), inadequate means of escape (risk score of 4), obstruction of evacuation route (risk score of 6), and discarded cigarette/match as well as in-appropriate storage of flammable substances (risk scores of 2). 4.5.4. The fourth assessment activity carried in the workplace was on food and drinks. The hazards identified are burns and scalds while using kitchen equipment, disease caused by food wastes (both with risk scores of 6), kitchen hygiene and cleanliness, burns and scalds caused by hot drinks (both with risk scores of 4) and individual hygiene (risk score of 3). 4.5.5. The fifth assessment activity carried out was on pedestrian route. The hazards associated with this task include uneven surfaces (risk score of 4), poor lighting along walkaways (risk score of 4), unsuitable, poorly maintained surfaces (risk score of 3), trailing leads/ cables (risk score of 2), spills (risk score of 3), poorly designed stairs/steps (risk score of 3), pedestrian routes clear of obstructions (risk score of 2), and vehicular conflict (risk score of 5). 4.5.6. The sixth assessment task involved the analysis of vehicular routes. The hazards identified to be associated with this include uneven surfaces (risk score of 2), poor lighting at junctions/crossing points (risk score of 3), unsuitable, poorly maintained surfaces (risk score of 3), overhead obstructions (risk score of 2), spills (risk score of 3), reversing operations (risk score of 3), conflict with pedestrian routes (risk score of 4), and conflict with other vehicles (risk score of 4). 4.5.7. The seventh and last assessment activity carried out was on general cleaning. The risk hazards identified include manual handling (risk score 2), Weil’s disease (4), occupational dermatitis (risk score of 3), chemical exposure (risk score of 3), electrocution (risk score of 5), injury from badly maintained equipment (risk score of 4), slips, trips and falls (risk score of 6), working at height (risk score of 3) and lone working (risk score of 3). 5. Risk control Measures 5.1. Electricity in the workplace 5.1.1. Information and training Only competent and experienced electricians should be allowed to carry out electrical installations. 5.1.2. Managerial/ procedural controls The management should formally inspect and test all the installations before the first use. They should also test all electrical equipment before installing or modifying them to ensure that they are isolated and not alive (Martin and Walters, 2007). 5.1.3. Physical controls The electrical system should be appropriately designed to ensure that they are not overloaded. All exposed metal work should be earthed. All switchgears and distribution panel should be locked securely. Cables should be securely fixed and there should be a full installation check after every five years. Every new electrical should be certificated (Stranks, 2003). 5.2. Spillages 5.2.1. Information and training The staff should be informed on the risks and hazards that are associated with spills and spillages, especially when they are within the pedestrian walk. The staff should be informed on the necessity of cleaning up chemical spills present in the workplace using appropriate materials (Martin and Walters, 2007). 5.2.2. Managerial/ procedural controls The managers ensure safety in the workplace and provide the appropriate PPE for use. They should also ensure that the cleaning staff is provided with resources and equipment for cleaning up any spills. The bar attendants should be instructed to immediately clean up any accidental spillages (Chandler, 1999). 5.2.3. Physical controls Warning signs should be erected where cleaning is taking place. Appropriate warning signs should also be erected on the footpaths where spillages have occurred. 5.3. Fire safety 5.3.1. Information and training The staff should be instructed on the procedures to follow when hearing the fire alarm or discovering a fire. The staff should be trained on the proper use of fire fighting equipment. The staff and the hirers should be informed on the importance of good housekeeping and the need to keep fire doors, emergency exits and corridors unobstructed all the time. The staff and the hirers should be informed not to use multiple extensions and adaptors to avoid overloading of electrical sockets (Hughes and Ferrett, 2008). 5.3.2. Managerial/ procedural controls Managers should ensure all safeguards are put in place and that the staff is provided with appropriate PPE. Management should ensure a regular electrical testing as well as Portable Appliance Tests (PATS). A no-smoking policy should be implemented within the premises and an outdoor area to be identified where smoking is permitted. Management should not allow portable electrical heaters and appliances, other than those supplied by the Hall under specific circumstances. 5.3.3. Physical controls Regular checks should be done to ensure emergency exits and escape routes are clear and unobstructed. Fire extinguishers should be provided and maintained appropriately at strategic locations within the building. 5.4. Foods and drinks 5.4.1. Information and training The staff should be advised on the importance of maintaining high standards of workplace and personal hygiene. The hirers and the staff should be informed on the hazards that are associated with preparation and consumption of food (Chandler, 1999). . 5.4.2. Managerial/ procedural controls The management should ensure that drinks and food are prepared in designated places. They should ensure that all safeguards are taken into consideration and that appropriate PPE are provided and used. They should also facilitate regular cleaning and proper disposal of the wastes. There should be annual inspection of the hygiene in the workplace by LA Health department (Martin and Walters, 2007). 5.4.3. Physical controls All spills and drips are supposed to be cleaned immediately. Suitable waste bins should be located in all rooms/ areas so as to encourage proper disposal of the wastes. Adequate hand washing and welfare facilities should be provided for everybody. The welfare rooms and kitchen areas should have non-slip flooring. 5.5. Pedestrian routes 5.5.1. Information and training The staff should be instructed not to run but instead walk calmly. They should be instructed to use the only identified pedestrian walkaways and avoid straying onto vehicular routes. 5.5.2. Managerial/ procedural controls The management committee should ensure there is maintenance of adequate standards. A speed limit of 10mp should be implemented within the premise (Hughes and Ferrett, 2009) 5.5.3. Physical controls Trailing cable should not be left across the walkaways. There should be well illumination in all walkaways and corridors at all the time. The housekeeping standards should be maintained at reasonable levels. The surfaces used on all walkaways should be non-slip. Staircases and floors should be cleaned on a regular basis. Repair and maintenance of floors, doors and walkaways should be carried out when necessary. Handrails should be provided at the stairs (Duncan, Cahill and Heighway, 2006). 5.6. Vehicular routes 5.6.1. Information and training The vehicle drivers should be advised that at no time should they park on or drive along the access roadway. 5.6.2. Managerial/ procedural controls The management committee should carry out regular inspections of the traffic routes to identify pot holes, worn surfaces and oil spills that could affect vehicle safety. There should be a one way traffic system entering the main car park (Stranks, 2003). 5.6.3. Physical controls Traffic rules should be undertaken by the drivers. There should be mirrors in place on blind corners. Worn out areas and potholes should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent damage. 5.7. General cleaning 5.7.1. Information and training There should be proper training given on the use of cleaning equipment and chemicals. 5.7.2. Managerial/ procedural controls Managers should ensure all safeguards are put in place and that the staff is provided with appropriate PPE (Martin and Walters, 2007). 5.7.3. Physical controls Handling manual should be performed accurately. There should be proper usage and storage of hazardous substances. Electrical equipment should be regularly examined and tested and properly used (Chandler, 1999). 6. Recommendation The risks identified in Mawdesley Village Hall should be eliminated by carefully selecting and designing the facilities, equipment and processes. If they cannot be eliminated, then they should be minimized through the use of physical controls or through systems of work or personal protective equipment. For the case of electricity, it is recommended that the carbon dioxide extinguishers be placed at convenient places and behind the stage. Fire safety alarm system should also be installed. References Chandler P 1999 An A-Z of health and safety law: A complete reference source for managers, 3rd edn, Kogan Page Publishers, London Duncan, M., Cahill, F. and Heighway P 2006 Health & safety at work essentials, 5th edn, Lawpack, New Jersey Hughes, P and Ferrett E 2008 Introduction to health and safety in construction: The handbook for construction professionals and students on NEBOSH and other construction courses, 3rd, Elsevier, California Hughes, P and Ferrett E 2009 Introduction to Health and Safety at Work, 3rd edn, Butterworth-Heinnemann, New York. Martin, W and Walters JB 2007 Safety and health essentials: OSHA compliance for small businesses, Brewns Publishers , New York. Mawdesley Village Hall 2011 Mawdesley Village Hall Inc. Retrieved February 12, 2011, from http://www.mawdesleyvillagehall.co.uk/ Stranks JW 2003 A manager's guide to health & safety at work, 7th edn, Kogan Page Publishers, London Read More