I have adapted this form to help hirers of inflatables who may not have any not completed any Risk Assessment exercise

The assessment of risk is nothing more than an inward self examination of your operation and self checking to prevent possible harm to employees, customers and public. The aim is to self check, make aware risks, take precautions in areas brought out but the self assessment and try to reduce the chance of injury or at worst a Death.

 

Hazard means anything that can possibly cause harm.

Risk is the chance great or small that someone will be harmed by the hazard

The important things you need to decide are if a Hazard is significant and have you taken steps to cover it to make the Risk Small.

Example; Electricity Can kill but the risk of it doing that in doors is remote providing it is properly wired, However outside is a different ball game and it is essential the correct type of all weather fittings are used and equipment is regular inspected/ tested to ensure safety.

 

Step 1 Do the assessment yourself  (owner of business) Take a fresh look at everything from premises, equipment, vehicles, etc. that could cause harm. Its best to concentrate on significant Hazards that could result in serious harm or effect others.  Once completed then ask your Staff (in some cases Partner!!!) what they think. They may have seen things that you may not have noticed. Manufactures handbooks etc will also help spot Hazards and also help put Risks in their true perspective.

 

Step 2 Decide who might be harmed and how. Those most at Risk are most likely to be your customers but don’t forget staff or members of the public if there is a chance they could be hurt by your activities.

Step 3 Weigh up the risks arising from the Hazards then decide if existing precautions are enough or if more needs to be done. Even after all precautions have been taken, usually some Risk remains. What you have and must do is decide for each hazard what Risk remains and is it High, Medium or Low. Ask yourself if you have done everything the law says you have to do. I.e. The law says you have to prevent access to dangerous parts of machinery. Then ask yourself if you work to the latest Health and safety guidelines for the operation of your inflatables. Don’t stop there Think for yourself!!!!! This is because the law states that you must do what is reasonably practicable to keep your working environment safe! Your real aim is to reduce all risks small by adding your own personalised precautions to your situation. This is the main reason why you can not write one risk assessment for all hirers. Legal requirement can be found in HSE publications” Management of H&S at work.

If you find a Hazard ask yourself; Can I get rid of the Hazard. If not how can I control the Risk so that the harm is unlikely?

 

Step 4 Record your findings. If you have fewer than five staff you do not need to write anything down! If you do have more than five you must record the significant finding of your assessment. I.e. Electrical installation; Insulation and earthing checked and found sound or Fumes from petrol blower install ventilation pipe to exhaust and regularly checked.

 

There is no need to show how you did your assessment as long as you can show that;

A proper check was made, you looked at who might be affected, You dealt with all the obvious significant Hazards, you took into account the number of people who could be affected and that the precautions are reasonable and the remaining Risks are LOW !

 

Step 5 Review your assessment from time to time and revise it as necessary at some point you will have either new Types of jobs or new or different equipment, which could lead to new Hazards. If this is the case review your assessment ASAP!

 

Further info from Heath and safety:

 

Essentials of Health & Safety at work

ISBN 071760716X @ APPROX ££5.95

 

Other publications available HSE Tel 01787 881165

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk Assessment For …………………………                                                                                                                                           

HazardLook only for hazards which could be expected to result in significant harm from the operation of you business.

Use the following as a guide

Accidents when delivering castles

Children injured when delivering castles

Staff injured when working for you

Vehicles

Operation of equipment

Lifting/manoeuvring heavy equipment

Steps/ramps/etc.

Use of tools

Electrical equipment

Wet weather

 

List hazards here;               

 

 

Who might be harmed?

Don’t list by individuals name

I.e.;

The public/passers by

Inexperienced staff

Visitors to place of work

Customers

Party goers

                           Staff

 

 

 

 

 

List hazards here;               

 

 

Is the risk controlled?

Have you taken precautions against the risk? And the hazards you have listed?

I.e.

Have you provided adequate information Instruction or training to staff

Good systems in place

 

Precautions to meet legal Standards

Comply with trading Standards

Good Business Practice?

Reduce risk as far as practicable

Indicate the precautions you have in place.

 

List Precautions/procedures here;    

 

 

Further action necessary to control the risk?

What further could you do to reduce the risks you have found that were not adequately controlled?

Look at the risks that could harm the most number of people first.

Apply the principles below if possible

Remove the risk completely

Try a less risky option

Prevent access to hazard

Organise work/function better to reduce

 

List actions here; 

 

 

Exposure to hazard.