Preamble

Adult members, under the Health and Safety at Work Act, are required to take reasonable care of themselves and others who may be affected by their Club activities.

To this end the club have issued this procedure for the process of complying with the requirements of the previously mentioned Acts, and, have appointed a member to ensure that Risk Assessments are carried out to identify and minimise potential hazards.

For the purposes of this document the following definitions will apply.

1. Hazard – something or someone with the potential to do harm

2. Risk – the likelihood that a particular hazard will give rise to harm

Risk Assessments should reflect the likelihood and consequence of hazards and the action taken to reduce severity.

It is recognised that deaf children may be subject to unusual hazards and this should be paramount in the assessment of risks and the action taken to reduce them.

Risk Assessment

Definition

A Risk Assessment is a careful examination of activity to identify and categorize possible hazards and to take reasonable measures to prevent harm from happening.

Assessments should cover all aspects of Club activity and be carried out prior to that event. Where there is a delay between the Assessment and the activity, the Assessment should be reviewed immediately prior to the activity. Risks are categorised as follows.

1. Unacceptable – More likely to occur and with severe consequences

2. Tolerable (High) – Likely to occur with high consequences

3. Tolerable (Low) – Less likely to occur with low consequences

4. Acceptable – Unlikely to occur with minor consequences

See Risk Rating Matrix.

Care should be taken to ensure that all risks are identified. It is emphasised that hazards should not be a barrier to conducting the Clubs activity.

It should be remembered that risks may be associated with trivia.

Procedure

Risk Assessments should be carried out in five steps.

Step 1 – Identify the activity or event and carry out an Appraisal

Step 2 – Identify Hazards (risks) and record them then

Step 3 – Categorise the risk. Rate each Hazard for likelihood 1 to 5 and for Consequence 1 to 16 and multiply together to establish a score. Action required is specified in Risk Rating Matrix.

Step 4 – Record and implement actions on Assessment form

Step 5 – Review

Risk Assessments must be recorded on the Clubs Assessment Proforma and signed by the Assessor.

Where Assessments identify an Unacceptable or Tolerable (High) hazard these should be discussed with the Chairperson.

Responsibility

The Club Chairperson or the appointee should ensure that assessments are carried out where appropriate for activity and events.

Where the assessment is to be sent to an outside body (out of the Club) the assessment must be countersigned by the Club Chairperson. The assessment must be dated and where appropriate have the review date added.

COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)

Regulations

The legislation introduced in 1988 and consolidated in 2002 is generally aimed at protecting employees in the work place. However from time to time the Club may be required to make a statement regarding COSHH when carrying out Club activities.

Duties

As with all other regulations building on the Health and Safety at Work etc Act, legal responsibility rests with the employer to take necessary action to protect both themselves and employees, in our case that would be ourselves, and those engaged in our activities such as visitors or guests.

It is anticipated that we would not normally come into contact with hazardous materials

Assessment

“Suitable and sufficient” assessment includes determining the hazardous substances that are likely to be encountered, thinking about the risk they present to health, establishing how much and how often the substances are used, what are the exposure routes and finally deciding on the practical actions to be taken to reduce and control the risk.

Each assessment must be recorded.

Action

Where a risk is identified this must be discussed with the Club Chairperson for suitable actions to be decided.

Where an assessment discovers a potential hazard the appropriate action must include adequate control in emergencies, and for spillage and disposal.

Manual Handling

Regulations

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act there is a requirement for the Club to ensure that adequate Manual Handling practices are made available.

This is generally associated with heavy and or awkward objects and loads at high level.

Duties

The onus rests with the Club to ensure that members, visitors and guests are aware of the Clubs requirement that action must be taken to minimise the risk of harm when handling loads.

It is the responsibility of the member; visitor or guest to ensure that manual handling is only carried out within his or her own capability.

Assessment

The Club Chairperson or the appointee should ensure that activities are assessed for handling risks and that appropriate action is taken to minimise the risk. This could include ensuring that the handling is shared (moving tables and chairs for instance).