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Health, Safety & Environmental Bulletin No 124
K Parmentier – 4 February 2009
On Site Risk Assessment
In a recent Health, Safety & Environment Bulletin (No 114) we discussed the issues found when we
carried out a random audit of clearance certificates. The issues included very generic and woolly
hazards being identified with insufficient detail as to the control measure adopted. A common example
was given where the hazard was identified as “Traffic” and the control measure was “PPE” – this is
obviously insufficient as wearing ear defenders, as an example (PPE), will have no effect on the traffic
hazard (and could actually make it more dangerous).
The bulletin then described the appropriate method of carrying out risk assessments and what priorities
to apply when deciding upon appropriate control measures.
In order to highlight the information given in this bulletin, the significant details have been extracted
and made into a checklist card that can be kept with your clearance certificates and referred to as you
complete this document.
These checklist cards were discussed and laminated copies issued to all attendees at our 2008 Health
and Safety Awareness Day; a copy is attached to this bulletin.
If you have any concerns or questions regarding the completion of risk assessments or clearance
certificates, or require clarification of anything on the checklist, please contact your supervisor.
Additional checklists can be obtained from the office upon request.
Please note that it is particularly important, given the current weather conditions that due
consideration is given to slippery surfaces. Where possible, always use your van as a
barrier; if you are unable to, locate barriers to give more warning to oncoming vehicles
and a make sure you have a bigger work area than usual; remember that a skidding car
will not be slowed by Chapter 8 fencing so you should be working a long way inside it
to make sure you are safe.
Being safe depends on the choices we make everyday. The right choices can save lives. We want to
share safety information and help to raise industry awareness. Safety is not about getting one over on
the competition. We need to talk openly, share what we know and make the right choices.
If you have any queries regarding the Safety Bulletin content or require further information please
contact any staff member of Xmo Strata Ltd.
