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Practice a risk assessment
This exercise is the last stage in this training package. It's an opportunity for you to put into practice
all the techniques you've learned so far. Although it's based on a
warehouse business, the exercise been designed to encourage you to use the
general techniques required for a successful risk assessment. Whatever your
business background, completing this task should give you the
confidence that you are able to spot hazards, judge risks, decide on appropriate controls and
record a risk assessment properly. When you come to do a risk assessment for your own business,
you'll have the added advantage of being familiar with the workplace.
Instructions
Owl and Co. Distributions are a small warehouse-based
company specialising in packaging and distribution of DIY and
building supplies. Conduct a risk assessment for the business using the information provided about it here.
Look carefully at all the information available and then work through the five steps.
Don't forget to use the toolkit on the top toolbar to help you.
Print off the blank recording form from the toolkit to record your significant findings.
If you need to refer back to any part of the tutorial to check what the law says you need to include,
use the sitemap to jump back and forth. Once you've completed the exercise, compare your assessment with the
warehouse case study in the toolkit, to see whether it complies with health and safety legislation.
Background information:
Owl and Co. Distributions employs 28 permanent members of staff
working on shifts. Shifts are from 04:00 to 12:00 hrs and from 12:00 to 20:00 hrs
for warehouse staff and delivery drivers. Administration and management work from 08:00 to 16:00.
Security staff work from 20:00 to 04:00 hrs. A cleaning company is contracted to clean the office and
rest facilities after 17:00 on Mondays. Main daily activities includes reception and despatch of goods to lorries in the delivery bay;
mechanical and manual handling of goods; and administration and sales in the office area.
Equipment inventory:
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Clickable floor plan and photographs:
Click on each area of the floor plan to view a larger photograph of that part of the premises.
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Systems and procedures:
- All staff are required to take a 30 minute break during their
shift and should not work continuously for more than six hours.
- Delivery drivers must keep journey records and take breaks in compliance with European regulations.
- All new warehouse staff are briefed on the main activities of the
business and should be given the correct
PPE to wear for each activity they undertake.
- All forklift operators must be fully trained in their use.
- Anyone entering the warehouse is required to wear steel toe capped
boots and a bright-yellow bib so they can easily be seen. Office staff
generally use the main entrance and do not enter the main warehouse
area.
- The yard is fenced in and there is no access to unauthorised
personnel anywhere on the property.
- The fire alarm system is tested weekly at a designated time, and
there is a fire drill every six months. There is also no smoking
allowed anywhere on the premises.
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Employees' comments:
Senior forklift operator
'The oldest forklift truck needs replacing now if you ask me. Its been
making a tapping noise when it's running at the higher speeds and the
brakes aren't very sharp. Its last servicing was over a year ago, so
its about time it was serviced at least.'
Trainee junior forklift operator
'I think things are going very well with my training so far.
Sometimes I'm not always sure what I'm doing, but I'm sure I'll pick
it up eventually - its just that everyone seems so busy, I don't want to
bother them and ask for help. The warehouse is so hot I've had to take
my gloves off - I don't know why we have to wear them at all really.'
Warehouse foreman
'I'm concerned that although on the whole most workers go outside to
smoke, occasionally when it rains some move inside by the delivery area.
With trucks in and out all the time, there's a real danger to anyone walking around there.
There's always a lot of loose flammable packaging around there as well.'
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Page from the company accident book:
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Compare your answers
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