Avoiding an accident at work by assessing the risks

Since 1999, the Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations have made a risk assessment a compulsory part of complying with the law in the UK. Done properly, a risk assessment is a useful piece of work that can not only prevent the chances of an accident at work but also make the workplace a more productive arena.

The Health and Safety Executive has produced a leaflet, also available as a PDF, to help with the process of making a risk assessment. Essentially, employers need to identify any hazards in the workplace, decide how likely they are to affect their workers, and put plans into action to minimise this likelihood for each risk.

A risk assessment is an organic document, meaning it is one that should be updated regularly or if something within the work environment changes, such as the company moving to a new building.

It is not necessary for the risk assessment process to eliminate entirely the chance of an adverse incident occurring. The law states that the employer should "do what is reasonably practical to control these risks." Not to do so would leave the employer open to a compensation claim should an accident occur within the workplace.

Outside help in your risk assessment
Organisations exist around the UK whose purpose is to help employers write risk assessments. Their expertise may be useful, particularly for employers who have a complex work environment or are nervous about writing their own.

Risk assessments and an accident at work claim
If an accident should occur within the workplace, a properly written and followed risk assessment may protect an employer from a compensation claim. If, however, a defective risk assessment has been put in place, or has not been followed appropriately, an employer may be found liable for any personal injury suffered.

Making a compensation claim
If you have sustained a personal injury in an accident at work as the result of an absent or ineffective risk assessment, you may be able to make a compensation claim. YouClaim's industrial accident experts can help you to discover whether your case is eligible and, if so, can find you the appropriate personal injury solicitor for your needs.

All workplace cases are handled on a no win, no fee basis, and in successful cases we claim our fee from the defendant (or insurance), making this an entirely cost-free process to you. We also make a 100% compensation guarantee, meaning that there will be no cuts or deductions taken from the damages awarded to you in a successful case.

Our advisors are ready to speak to you now on 0800 10 757 95, or to chat online. If you complete a claim form, one of them will even call you back at a time you specify. However you reach us, we are ready to help you put your accident at work claim into action.