Webtool for shops takes worry out of risk assessment

Date:

15 December 2010

A quick and easy online tool to help retailers assess the hazards in their shop is available to trial from today (15 December).

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has worked to produce the web tool to help implement Lord Young's recommendation that low-risk workplaces, such as shops, are spared unnecessary paperwork and bureaucracy.

The aim of the tool is to take the mystery out of risk assessments, giving retailers the means to be confident that they have identified the key risks in their premises and how to minimise them. The whole process can be completed quickly and easily.

Local Authority (LA) inspectors who carry out inspections will take account of the assessments as evidence that shops have taken the appropriate action.

The Health and Safety Executive, wants to ensure that it is a helpful, easy-to-use tool and will be seeking views and feedback until March 2011.

Judith Hackitt, Chair of HSE, said:

"Shop managers are best placed to identify what happens in their premises and we want to enable them to have confidence to say that they have dealt with the risks that do exist. One of the real plus points is that the tool helps to clear away those things that retailers really don't need to waste time worrying about.

"It will save time and effort and help to focus their efforts on any real issues which need to be addressed, including identifying areas where higher risk activities do take place."

"The new 20-minute risk assessments make it clear that the assessment of low-risk shops can be done quickly and easily. There really is no need for long detailed documents covering very minor and highly improbable risks."

The online tools prompt users to answer a series of straightforward questions that generates their risk assessment and action plan. HSE recently launched a similar 20-minute risk assessment tool for offices and one specifically for use in classrooms is out to consultation. Simplified risk assessments for other low risk workplaces currently being developed.

The new online risk assessment for shops is not intended to replace specific risk assessments for higher risk activities such as the sale or storage of chemicals or fireworks, or outlets where there are machinery operations.

The online risk assessment tool for shops can be found on HSE's risk management website.

Notes to editors

1. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice; promoting training; new or revised regulations and codes of practice; and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement. www.hse.gov.uk

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