Risk Assessment & Method Statements

What is the first step in conducting a risk assessment?

• AEvaluating risk
• BIdentifying control measures
• CRecording the assessment
• DIdentifying hazards✓

Answer: The first step is hazard identification - determining what could cause harm. Only after identifying hazards can you assess the risk and determine appropriate controls.

What does a Risk Assessment consider in terms of likelihood and severity?

• AOnly the severity of the potential injury
• BNeither factor - risk assessments are based purely on cost and scheduling factors alone
• CBoth the likelihood of harm occurring and the severity of potential injury✓
• DOnly the likelihood of an incident occurring

Answer: Risk = Likelihood x Severity. A proper risk assessment evaluates both how likely an incident is and how serious the consequences would be if it occurred.

What is a Method Statement?

• AA list of all workers currently assigned to the project and their individual trade skills
• BA document describing how to complete work safely✓
• CA formal communication sent to the HSE notifying them that work is about to commence
• DA budget document setting out allowed costs

Answer: A Method Statement (part of RAMS - Risk Assessment and Method Statement) describes the safe work procedures, controls, and responsibilities for a specific high-risk task.

When should RAMS (Risk Assessment and Method Statement) be updated?

• AOnly if an injury actually occurs as a direct result of following the existing RAMS
• BOnly at the very end of the project
• COnce a RAMS document has been completed and signed off, it remains valid for the whole project
• DWhen work methods or site conditions change significantly✓

Answer: RAMS must be reviewed and updated whenever there are significant changes to methods, conditions, or identified hazards. This ensures the control measures remain appropriate and effective.

What is the hierarchy of controls in order of effectiveness?

• AAdministrative controls, then Engineering controls, then PPE, then Elimination last
• BPPE, then Administrative controls, then Engineering controls, then Substitution last
• CElimination, Substitution, Engineering controls, Administrative controls, PPE✓
• DPersonal Protective Equipment, Engineering controls, Administrative controls

Answer: The hierarchy prioritises eliminating the hazard first, then substituting with a safer alternative, then engineering controls, then administrative controls, with PPE as the last resort.

Which of the following is an example of an engineering control?

• AWearing a hard hat while working, which is a form of personal protective equipment
• BInstalling a guardrail at height✓
• CTraining workers on hazards through a toolbox talk before the task begins each morning
• DLimiting the working hours

Answer: Engineering controls are physical measures that prevent exposure to hazards (guardrails, barriers, ventilation). PPE (A), training (C), and administrative controls (D) are lower in the hierarchy.

What should be considered when assessing the risk of manual handling tasks?

• AThe task, load, environment, and individual worker capabilities✓
• BOnly how physically strong the individual worker happens to be on that particular day
• COnly the weight being lifted
• DOnly the distance the load needs to be carried from the start point to its destination

Answer: Manual handling risk assessment (MAC Tool) considers multiple factors: load characteristics, task type, working environment, and individual factors. It's not just about weight.

How should a supervisor involve workers in the risk assessment process?

• AOnly inform workers of the risk assessment findings after it has already been completed
• BLet workers create their own risk assessments
• CRisk assessment is entirely management's responsibility, with no input required from workers
• DConsult with workers on hazards, controls, and safe working practices✓

Answer: Under the Health and Safety at Work Act, supervisors must consult with workers. Workers often identify hazards that others miss, leading to better control measures.

What is the purpose of a Permit to Work in relation to risk assessment?

• ATo record attendance and working hours only
• BTo control high-risk work and ensure risk assessment findings are implemented✓
• CTo bypass the need for a formal risk assessment on particularly urgent high-risk work
• DTo document worker training records only, with no bearing on risk control at all

Answer: Permit to Work systems ensure that high-risk activities are properly assessed, authorised, and controlled. The permit verifies that precautions from the risk assessment are in place.

When assessing the risk of a new task, what information should be reviewed?

• AOnly past incidents at this exact location
• BOnly the supervisor's own personal experience, without consulting any other source
• CThe work should simply proceed on the day without reviewing any information beforehand
• DHistorical data, similar site experiences, hazard databases, and expert opinion✓

Answer: A thorough risk assessment reviews multiple information sources: accident reports, industry data, manufacturer guidance, COSHH data sheets, and consultation with experienced practitioners.

What should be included in a site-specific risk assessment?

• AGeneric construction hazards only, copied directly from a standard industry template
• BSite-specific hazards, existing controls, and residual risks✓
• COnly the single most severe hazard identified, ignoring all lower-risk items entirely
• DHazards identified and listed by the HSE

Answer: A site-specific risk assessment addresses the actual hazards present at that location, the existing or proposed controls, and the remaining risk after controls are implemented.

How frequently should risk assessments be reviewed?

• AOnce per year, as part of a fixed annual review cycle regardless of site changes
• BOnly when brand new equipment arrives on site and needs to be commissioned
• CA risk assessment is a one-time activity that stays valid without any further review
• DRegularly and whenever work methods or conditions change✓

Answer: Risk assessments must be reviewed regularly and whenever there are significant changes. This ensures they remain suitable and sufficient for current work activities.

What is dynamic risk assessment?

• AContinuous assessment and adjustment of controls during work✓
• BOnly a formal written assessment completed in advance and never revisited
• CAn assessment that only changes when weather conditions worsen significantly
• DAn assessment that is only carried out once per calendar month on a fixed date

Answer: Dynamic risk assessment is an ongoing process where supervisors continuously reassess hazards and controls as work progresses and conditions change. It's a key part of day-to-day supervision.

When developing a Method Statement for excavation work, which of the following is essential?

• AOnly the overall project timeline and the deadline for completing the groundworks
• BHazards, ground conditions, support systems, emergency procedures, and supervision arrangements✓
• CJust the type of equipment being used to dig and remove the excavated material
• DOnly the planned depth of the excavation, without regard to any other factor

Answer: A Method Statement for excavation must address all key hazards: ground conditions, cave-in prevention, competent persons, rescue equipment, and emergency procedures.

Who should approve a Method Statement before work commences?

• AOnly the individual worker who will actually be performing the task themselves
• BAny person who happens to be available on site at the time, regardless of role
• CThe supervisor and/or site manager, and relevant competent person✓
• DIt doesn't need any formal approval at all before work is allowed to commence

Answer: Method Statements must be approved by the supervisor/manager and, for highly specialised work, by competent persons with relevant expertise before work begins.

What is COSHH and how does it relate to risk assessment?

• AA type of specialist mixing tool used on site for handling and dispensing various chemicals safely
• BControl of Substances Hazardous to Health - requires specific risk assessment of chemical exposure✓
• CA construction safety certification awarded to individual workers after completing a training course
• DA method of storing hazardous materials safely in a designated area away from the main works

Answer: COSHH Regulations require risk assessment of all hazardous substances used on site. This includes identifying exposure routes, potential health effects, and appropriate controls.