5 steps to risk assess within care

Risk assessing is important. When done right it can enable a safer service. There are 5 main steps when creating a risk assessment. Here will look into the 5 steps to risk assess.

What is a risk assessment?

Before we go into the 5 steps, let’s remind ourselves what a risk assessment is. A risk assessment is a document which looks into the risks and hazards of an activity or environment. They can also be used to show the potential risks of an individuals actions or behaviours, for example, an individual who shows behaviours that challenge. 

What are the 5 main steps for risk assessments?

The 5 main steps are:

• Identify the hazards
• Identify who is at risk
• Evaluate and the risks
• Record the findings
• Review regularly

Now let’s take a look at each individual step.

Step 1:

Identify the hazards.

We can identify the hazards by:

• doing walk around
• checking previous records
• observing for potentially hazardous risks

Within a care provision, typical hazards may include:

• moving and handling
• slips, trips and falls
• individuals displays behaviours that challenge

More specific activities or tasks could include:

• cooking a meal
• a visit to a shop or cafe
• attending a social activity such as bowling

Step 2:

Who’s at risk and could be harmed?

We should look at:

• service users
•  their families
• staff
• visitors
• organisational (reputation)

Step 3:

Evaluate the risks

We should look at:

• whether the risk is low, medium or high
  
• can the risk be reduced?
• can the risk be removed completely?
• is any training required?
• is any equipment required?
• are any other control measures required? 

Step 4:

Record the findings

The record should include:

• that an assessment took place
  
• show who may be affected
• include the significant hazards were identified and acted upon
• identify who carried out the assessment and the date it was undertaken

Step 5:

Review regularly

Actions to take:

• set dates for review
  
• update assessments when changes occur
• monitor for any accidents, incidents and near misses
  

Resources you way wish to check out:

• HSE – Sensible risk assessing in care settings – click here 
• CQC – Safe care and treatment – click here

Let us know in the comments below, how you manage hazards and risks in the workplace?