Step 2: Decide who might be harmed and how

For each hazard you need to be clear about who might be harmed; it will help you identify the best way of managing the risk. That doesn’t mean listing everyone by name, but rather identifying groups of people (eg ‘people working in the storeroom’ or ‘passers-by’).

Remember:

• some workers have particular requirements, eg new and young workers, new or expectant mothers and people with disabilities may be at particular risk. Extra thought will be needed for some hazards;
• cleaners, visitors, contractors, maintenance workers etc, who may not be in the workplace all the time;
• members of the public, if they could be hurt by your activities;
• if you share your workplace, you will need to think about how your work affects others present, as well as how their work affects your staff – talk to them; and
• ask your staff if they can think of anyone you may have missed.

In each case, identify how they might be harmed, i.e. what type of injury or ill health might occur. For example, ‘shelf stackers may suffer back injury from repeated lifting of boxes’.