Are you looking for expert advice on construction risk assessments? Trimble Architects provides high-quality risk assessments for construction projects across Twickenham and London. Our professional services ensure safety and compliance, minimising potential hazards. Trust us for thorough assessments and peace of mind.
What is Construction Risk Assessment?
A construction risk assessment is a detailed report outlining any health and safety risks associated with a building project. The site is thoroughly assessed to find potential hazards before the report is prepared. This assessment helps ensure that appropriate control measures are taken to protect workers and the public.
HOW DO YOU WRITE A CONSTRUCTION RISK ASSESSMENT?
A construction risk assessment identifies risks and hazards to workers. It outlines how workers may be at risk and highlights the control measures to be put in place.
The report also includes a fire risk assessment to address any other site concerns. This ensures that all safety protocols are covered and documented.
Risk assessments reduce the likelihood of accidents occurring. Documenting past risk assessments and having regular updates can keep construction sites safe.
Why is Construction Risk Assessment Important?
Construction risk assessments ensure the safety of workers, users, and the public. They are a legal requirement for any construction project, as they document risks and control measures. Construction risk assessments make workers aware of site-specific risks and provide steps to reduce them. If someone is injured and the risk wasn't mentioned in the assessment, you can face legal action.
After an incident, a new risk assessment must be performed, written down and documented. Having the new assessment in a written form helps to prevent any recurrences. Risk assessments are also used for creating method statements, which record the risks throughout the project.
WHAT IS A SITE RISK ASSESSMENT?
A site risk assessment involves taking measurements and identifying hazards and conditions unique to that site. Unlike a general risk assessment, a site risk assessment addresses site-specific risks. While general risk assessment can be changed to be site-specific, it requires careful consideration of a number of factors relevant to that specific site.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS IN A CONSTRUCTION PROJECT?
Construction projects come with a number of risks to employees that must be managed carefully. Common health and safety hazards include risks of falls from heights, being struck by moving machinery, and hazardous materials exposure. Trimble Architects conducts thorough risk assessments to find and address these hazards.
Here are a few of the common risks when carrying out construction work:
- Unexpected weather conditions (including natural disasters)
- Damage to equipment or tools (without the knowledge of the employee or the project manager)
- Conditions of the building site itself
- Heavy machinery
- Heights (ladders and boom lifts)
- Fire risk (machinery or equipment overheating)
- Employees not wearing the appropriate PPE
What are the Five Steps of Risk Assessment in Construction?
Trimble Architects, based in Twickenham, works hard to complete risk assessments correctly. We put the health and safety of workers and the public first. The main steps that must be followed when doing a risk assessment are as follows:
Identify the Risks
Site conditions and project plans must be thoroughly inspected to find any initial hazards. This involves looking at the likelihood of encountering hazardous materials like asbestos and how high up workers will be. Any tool and machinery must also be inspected for risks.
Identify Who and How
Next, you must identify the members of staff who may be affected by health and safety risks. Assess every person involved in the project and how they might be at risk. This includes your construction workers, site managers and the general public. Check potential hazards and document your findings to manage risks effectively.
Evaluate and Prioritise
The third step is based on evaluating the information gathered from the first two steps. After assessing the health and safety risks of the project, who might be affected, and how, you can order the risks in terms of priority. Focusing on high-priority risks lets you reduce the risk of major accidents occurring.
Record Findings & Control Measure
When there are over five employees on-site, it's a legal requirement to have risk assessments documented in writing. This ensures that project risks are recognised and control measures are put in place.
Control measures should be outlined, and the risk assessment must be documented. Including the risk assessment in method statements show a thorough understanding of risks regarding the project plans.
Review the Risk
Construction sites are constantly evolving, so it’s crucial to continuously review health and safety risks. Regular monitoring and updates help manage the project professionally from beginning to end. This ensures the project complies with all health and safety regulations. Keeping a record of risks lets you mitigate site hazards and prioritise your workers' safety.
construction risk assessments near me: Areas we cover
If you are looking for a London construction
risk assessment surveyor get in touch today. Trimble Architects works with clients throughout London and the surrounding areas including:
How can we help?
Trimble Architects, based in Twickenham, provides comprehensive construction risk assessments. Each construction risk assessment involves a detailed examination of every aspect of your project. Our thorough approach helps us find and document a number of risks associated with your project. Our professional services are designed to optimise the outcomes of our clients' projects.
Our project management service includes handling planning permissions, creating project schedules, and managing party wall agreements.
If you need help or advice on construction risk assessments, we're here to help. Our professional services allow us to make your project safe and successful.
We have years of experience when it comes to risk assessments and are always happy to help - simply call us at 020 8538 9303 or drop us an email. If you're in the construction industry and are looking to improve your health and safety (and comply with current laws), we're the team of locals for you!
FAQ
Our FAQ section addresses common questions about Construction Risk Assessment, helping you understand its importance in ensuring safety and compliance on your project.
Yes, a risk assessment is a legal requirement. It is mandated by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Employers must identify potential hazards, evaluate the associated risks, and implement measures to reduce or eliminate them. This thorough process helps ensure the safety and well-being of employees and any other persons present on the construction site. Conducting regular risk assessments is crucial, as it not only helps in compliance with the law but also promotes a safer working environment. Trimble Architects takes these responsibilities seriously to maintain high safety standards.
A risk assessment should be prepared before beginning any construction activity. It is crucial to evaluate potential hazards and risks during the planning stage to ensure appropriate safety measures are established. Regular reviews and updates should be conducted as the project progresses or when new risks are identified. By doing so, Trimble Architects can ensure a safer work environment, reducing the likelihood of accidents and injuries. It is also important to communicate these findings to all team members and stakeholders involved in the project. This proactive approach helps in maintaining compliance with health and safety regulations while promoting a culture of safety within the workplace.
"Reasonably practicable" means balancing the level of risk against the time, difficulty, and cost of taking measures to reduce the risk. It involves doing what is reasonably achievable to ensure safety without excessive or disproportionate expense or effort. This approach requires employers to assess the situation carefully, making judgement calls based on specific circumstances. The goal is to minimise risks to the lowest level feasible, taking into account the resources and capabilities available. It ensures that safety measures are proportionate to the potential hazards, prioritising actions that yield significant benefits without necessitating undue sacrifices of time or finances.
The steps of a risk assessment include: identifying hazards, determining who might be harmed and how, evaluating risks and deciding on precautions, recording findings and implementing them, and regularly reviewing and updating the assessment. Firstly, identify any potential hazards. Then, determine who might be affected and in what way. Next, evaluate the risks and decide on appropriate precautions to mitigate them. Record your findings and implement the measures. It is crucial to review and update the assessment regularly to ensure continued safety and compliance with regulations. This process helps in maintaining a safe and secure environment for everyone involved.
Inspection reports are detailed evaluations of construction sites, workplaces, or equipment. They document the findings of these inspections, pointing out any deficiencies or areas that need improvement. The aim is to ensure everything complies with health and safety regulations. These reports help identify potential hazards and provide recommendations for corrective actions. By addressing the issues highlighted in these reports, Trimble Architects can maintain a safe environment for all employees and visitors. Regular inspections and thorough reports are essential for proactive safety management and regulatory compliance. They are a crucial part of maintaining standards and preventing accidents.
Trimble Architects
Based in Twickenham
South West London
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