General risk assessment form  

Risk assessments should be reviewed at least annually, or after accidents, near misses and when significant changes in personnel or work practices occur.      
To assist managers when completing their risk assessments, guidance, information and a number of generic risk assessments and/or checklists are available on the
HMRC Intranet under Health and Safety.  

Advice on hazards, risks and risk assessment is available from the HMRC H&S Advisers. You can contact them through the HR Service Centre.    

Location Activity
           

Issue
     

  
Number Hazard Possible Risk rating Detail existing controls Detail further action required to Revised
effects/harm H, M, L reduce risk risk rating
Something with the Where a group of people Indicate the Provide details of control measures Note the action required, responsible person
potential to harm: hazards may be affected differently, rating prior to already in place. If measures are and target date.   H, M, L
listed should be all those for example young people or controls being detailed in other documents, state
Indicate the
present before controls expectant mothers, identify in place. (See where.    
rating
are in place.   the separate effects/harm page 7 for
following
and risk rating.     guidance on
implementatio
rating the risk.)
n of controls.
  
 
1 Working plant (fixed Physical harm from H Any rules put in place by the site Visiting officers to ensure that they M
or mobile) moving machinery operator for visitors. Warning are accompanied at all times while
signs etc. on site and that they adhere to any
rules that the site operator has in
place.
2 Blasting Physical harm M Warnings (sirens etc) when Officers to avoid visiting sites when L
resulting from blasting about to commence blasting in progress. Officers should
explosions at quarry confirm that blasting will not be taking
sites place when inspections are made.
3 Overhanging quarry Physical harm H Fences, signs etc Officers to maintain a safe distance L
faces. resulting from falling from quarry faces at all times during
debris. their visits

HR RA2 HMRC 12/06

4 Moving vehicles Physical harm from M Approved or designated areas High visibility clothing to be provided M
being hit by moving for pedestrians. and worn on all site visits. Officers to
vehicles. adhere to designated pedestrian
areas.
5 Air borne Breathing difficulties H Warning signs. Site rules on Face masks and goggles to be L
contaminants resulting from dust protective clothing. provided and worn when required or
inhalation or restricted necessary. Dust masks should be
visibility. approved to BS6016
In particular Where possible officers are to remain
composting operations upwind of dust producing operations.
may release bio Shredding, turning and screeding
aerosols leading to operations at composting plants in
asthma, alveolitis, particular will release dust particles.
mucus membrane
Where asbestos contamination has
irritation, gastro
been identified officers should
intestinal disorders
seriously consider the need to enter
and skin disorders.
the contaminated area and err on the
Asbestos related side of caution. Additionally officers
disorders should consider the standard and
type of PPE used by site operatives.
If it is apparent that operatives are
equipped to a noticeably higher
standard to that available to the
officer they should withdraw from the
environment.
6 Noise Damage to hearing or L Warning signs. Site rules on Ear defenders to be provided and L
failure to hear audible protective clothing. worn when required or necessary.
warnings of other
dangers.
7 Falling objects Physical harm from H Warning signs. Site rules on Hard-hat and suitable footwear to be M
objects falling on head protective clothing. provided and worn on all site visits.
or feet.
8 Unstable stockpiles Physical harm caused L Warning signs. Site rules. Officers to remain within the site’s L
by moving piles of designated areas at all times and to
aggregate etc. refrain from climbing onto stockpiles.
9 Unstable sand pits Getting stuck in sand. L Warning signs. Site rules. Officers should be accompanied L
while on site and observe any site
rules.
10 Remote and/or Physical harm to L Clear and complete electronic All violent incidents should be L
isolated locations officers diaries with access set up. reported under the terms of HS – 19
Contact telephone numbers Section 7
Out of hours visits Violence and threats to
made available.
Officers Trader folders to be noted with
Mobile phone to be carried at all appropriate warnings for future
Accidents
times reference
Difficulty in obtaining
help when required.
11 Fire Alarm/Drill Injury/death L Officers should be aware of fire Remind staff to check procedures on L
awareness on evacuation procedures/fire each visit.
premises/site. alarms/exits etc include note in
trader’s folder.
12 Lack of facilities on Personal distress. L Records can be uplifted, receipt Officers to carry document receipt L
site e.g. no toilet, Unable to continue given and visit continued at form (VAT 457??).
table/chairs, dirty visit. office.
and/or cold.
Reduced
concentration.
13 Dangerous animals. Cuts/bruises and M Seek to identify potentially Awareness of what to do if attacked. L
infection from bites by aggressive/ savage animals.
Update Traders folder after an
animals.
Consult occupier/owner re incident.
animal hazards prior to entry.
Report incident to line
Mobile phone to summon management/police.
assistance.
Arrangements for aftercare support
Provision of First Aid Kit. e.g. counselling.
Tetanus/Rabies injection as Tetanus injections from officer’s GP
appropriate.
Officer should ensure that they have
access to a first aid kit and feel
competent to immediately treat minor
cuts or abrasions. Where possible
assistance should be sought
14 Lack of protective Not being seen. M Observe trader’s H&S Officers and managers should L
clothing arrangements at all times. ensure that appropriate PPE kit is
Personal injury.
issued appropriate to the tasks
For an officer Appropriate PPE to be available,
Chemical contact with undertaken
engaged in the full worn as required, maintained
eyes resulting in
range of and properly stored.
permanent damage.
environmental taxes
Individual Officer’s awareness of
this will be :
risks.
 Hard hat
 High vis
jacket / bib
 Overtrousers
 Gloves –
thick enough
not to be
penetrated
on falling
 Goggles
 Ear
defenders
 Antiseptic
handwipes
 Disposable
gloves
 Quarry boots
 Wellington
boots (steel
toe capped)
 Kit bags –
clean and
dirty
 Overalls
 Fleece
 Dust masks
15 Gantries working at Slip, fall from height, M Ensure you have safe access L
height. personal injury to onto and safe egress from the
back, head, limbs inc. gantry.
death.
Carry light tools in a shoulder
bag or tool belt so that you have
both hands free to hold.
Be aware of overhead
obstructions/head room
restrictions and wear PPE e.g.
helmet or if restricted head room
a bump cap.
Be aware of the surrounding
environment and potential
exposure to harmful substances
e.g. chemicals, gases, proximity
to hot pipes, electricity cables.
Check condition of gantry e.g.
wet/slippery, holes in the floor.
Do not overreach.
16 Contact/exposure to Inhalation, absorption, L Discuss COSHH Risk Risk awareness to be heightened. L
chemical dust/gases, ingestion of hazardous Assessment with trader and
Folders to be noted with particular
liquids and solids. substances. comply with advice given. - If in
risks.
doubt, ask.
Inflammable Breathing
products. problems/poisoning. Avoid exposure/contact where
ever possible. Do not go near or
Explosion or fire.
touch unknown substances. Get
trader to identify them.
Use of appropriate PPE kit
Limit exposure/contact, take
breaks in fresh air.
Consider working environment
and where possible move
activity to a “clean area”.
17 Exposure to Infection H Hepatitis A and B inoculation. Inoculations should only be taken L
infectious diseases Diphtheria and Polio inoculation following individual consultation with
emanating from following medical advice. officers’ own GPs
potentially Tetanus inoculation must have
contaminated been had in all instances. This
materials should be kept up to date.
18 Dangerous terrain Trips, falls, cuts, H General personal awareness – Officers should ensure that prior to L
(other than that puncture injuries, in particular the need to remain carrying out physical inspections they
specified above) broken bones. alert to the environment at all feel competent so to do.
including water Drowning, water borne times.
Officer should ensure that they have
diseases in particular
Officers to refer to HSE issued access to a first aid kit and feel
leptospirosis (Weils
guidance following exposure to competent to immediately treat minor
disease) – transmitted
contaminated water. cuts or abrasions. Where possible
through the urine of
assistance should be sought.
infected rats.
19 Incorrectly Poorly maintained kit N/A Annual review of kit holdings Under no circumstances are officers N/A
maintained PPE kit will adversely affect its and condition to be carried out to clean items at home using
efficiency by SO. domestic washing machines
High visibility clothing should be Clean and dirty storage areas must
kept clean by regularly sponging be provided to deal with post-visit
it with warm soapy water. Pay contaminated kit.
particular attention to the
Please refer to the separate PPE
fluorescent strips.
Risk Assessment and guidance
Local arrangements to be put in
place for cleaning other
equipment / clothing
20 Confined spaces, Collapse of unstable M Officers are to refrain from No circumstances can be envisaged L
culverts, chambers environments, entering such environments in which entry to such environments
suffocation arising can be regarded as necessary. If in
(With particular
from oxygen shortage, any doubt contact must be made with
reference to
harm arising from the line management before proceeding
contaminated land
build up of noxious
applications)
gases
21 Landfill hazards to See Comments M Female officers of childbearing Additional useful information is at: L
new and expectant age may wish to examine the
http://www.hse.gov.uk/mothers/mothe
mothers information available in respect
rs.htm
of potential risks and if
appropriate discuss these
matters with their line manager.
Declaration  

Managers should monitor and review the application of the specified controls.      

Prepared by Date
           

Signature (SO or above) Date

           
I certify that all controls are in place which reduce risk to as low as is reasonably practicable, all staff have been informed and safe systems of work have been
applied.

Risk rating
This is your evaluation of the potential impact and likelihood of harm occurring.    

Risk rating Action required

High    
For example, Immediate action required.  
 fatality possible to one or more individuals however infrequent
 major injury to few individuals occurring frequently
 likelihood of long term muscular-skeletal problems affecting significant
numbers of staff.
Medium    
For example, Requires attention as soon as possible.  
 major injury to one/few individuals occurring infrequently
 likelihood of long term muscular-skeletal problems affecting some staff.
 Low  
For example, minor injury occurring infrequently to few staff. Not a priority, may need attention if not as low as reasonably practicable.