Risk assessment guidance aims to support the individual
New guidance on sensible risk assessment in health and social care has been published by the HSE.
It states that the risk assessment process is not about creating huge amounts of paperwork, but identifying and taking sensible and proportionate measures to control the risks.
This guidance comes after the ‘EU Red Tape’ report, which criticised ‘burdensome European rules’ that called for small businesses in low-risk sectors to be exempt from keeping health and safety assessments.
The HSE advice states that employees have the right to work in a healthy and safe workplace, and that the people using the services are entitled to care and support that is safe and takes their needs, freedom and dignity into account.
While a company may already be taking steps to control the risks, the assessment process is designed to help companies decide whether they should be doing more.
In particular the HSE said the provision of care and support should be tailored to meet the needs of the individual and encourage them to do what they can for themselves.
The guidance also stated that the HSE will support decisions to allow everyday activities to be undertaken provided a suitable and sufficient risk assessment has been carried out, documented and reviewed as necessary.
Risk assessment guidance aims to support the individual
New guidance on sensible risk assessment in health and social care has been published by the HSE.
Safety & Health Practitioner
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