5 steps to workplace temperature risk assessment

The Five steps to risk assessment method has been adapted to help employers in the assessment of thermal comfort. Some of the points described may only be relevant for thermal stress conditions. At each stage of the Five steps, think about the six basic factors. Think about how they may be affecting your employees and try and think about ways of controlling those factors that may be having the largest impact.

If the environment in your workplace is affected by unexpected seasonal variations etc, then you may need to re-evaluate and (if necessary) reassess the risks to your workforce.

• Step 1 : Identify the hazards
• Step 2 : Decide who is at risk
• Step 3 : Evaluate the risks
• Step 4 : Record your findings
• Step 5 : Review your assessment

The following notes on conducting risk assessments are not compulsory, but may be helpful in considering what you need to do.