Records & Official Guidance
The employer must, if he employs five or more staff, record the significant findings of any risk assessment or revision he makes, and identify any group of his employees as being especially at risk.
Significant Findings
The significant findings to be recorded should include:
- the significant hazards identified in the assessment;
- the existing control measures in place and the extent to which they control the risk;
- the population which may be affected, including any employee groups especially at risk;
- any new preventive and protective measures decided upon as a result of the assessment;
- any other information to facilitate review, such as sources of information, assumptions made, risk factors considered, etc.
Official Guidance
The HSE has an aid to risk assessment and recording, INDG163 ("5 Steps to Risk Assessment"). This suggests the following five steps in the risk assessment cycle:
1. Look for the hazards;
2. Decide who might be harmed;
3. Evaluate the risks arising from the hazards and decide whether existing precautions are adequate or more should be done;
4. Record your findings;
5. Review your assessment from time to time and revise it if necessary.
It also suggests a four-column format for recording your findings. The suggested column headings are:
1. List hazards;
2. List groups of people who are especially at risk from the significant hazards which you have identified;
3. List existing controls here or note where the information may be found;
4. List the risks which are not adequately controlled and the action you will take where it is reasonably practicable to do more. You are entitled to take cost into account unless the risk is high.