Risk assessment

Risks

Assessing risks is part of the systematic work related to the health and safety of the working environment at the university, ensuring that no one gets sick, injured or dies from their work.

Risk assessment mainly includes risk identification, risk estimation and risk assessment. Risk is commonly the weighting of the assessed probability/frequency of an unwanted event with the assessed consequences of the event. Risk estimation is the weighting of – usually the product of – probability/frequency and consistency. After the risk estimation is performed, a risk assessment is carried out to determine whether the risks can be accepted or whether measures need to be taken. A significant factor that should be considered in the risk assessment is the various possibilities for reducing or eliminating the risk. Risk analysis comprises the steps of risk identification and risk estimation when a structured and systematic methodology for review is used, preferably with established methods. Here, the concept of risk assessment also includes a straightforward identification and estimation of the risks in a system, even in the absence of an established risk analysis methodology.

The assessment of risks needs to be carried out in the light of the broader experience of our activities and the procedures applied. Therefore, it is essential to draw on the knowledge from the summaries of ill-health, accidents and incidents. Information can be obtained from research in this area and from general statistics.

Employer’s obligation

According to the Work Environment Act, employers must regularly examine working conditions and assess the risks that employees may suffer from ill health or accidents in the workplace. The employer must immediately or as soon as possible implement the measures necessary to prevent ill health and accidents at work. Measures not implemented immediately shall be included in a written action plan. This plan must specify when the measures will be implemented and who ensures their implementation. Implemented measures must be confirmed. Each year, the employer must follow up on the systematic work environment management. In the case of underperformance, it must be improved. Follow-up must be documented.

Staff, health and safety representatives and student health and safety representatives are always allowed to participate in the risk assessment and action plan.

Examples of actions

Remove the source of risk

The most effective way is to remove or replace the source of the risk. For example, replacing a chemical substance with one that is less hazardous. Another example, adding protection to or replacing an unsafe machine or piece of equipment.

Isolate the risk source

Risks can be reduced by limiting the possibility of contact with the source of the risk. Examples of this are performing loud activities in a separate part of the building or storing chemicals so that it is impossible to access them accidentally.

Minimise the risk

Effective personal protective equipment can reduce the risk of exposure or injury to staff working in unsafe situations, for example, wearing earplugs in an environment with loud noises, protective clothing, or the like.

Manage the risk

If no other possibilities are available, increased staff training or safer working methods and procedures can reduce the risk of injury. Supervision can make it easier for workers to work more safely. Help with prioritising tasks can be of support to manage risks resulting from unhealthy workloads. Other possibilities are changing working routines, providing opportunities for undisturbed work, scheduling work breaks, changing working hours, and offering social support.

GMM

For risk assessment of GMM, there are specific forms from the Swedish Work Environment Authority for F and L activities. A risk assessment must be carried out and the authority notified. The “Notification and permission for GMMs ” form is available on the Swedish Work Environment Authority’s website.

Head of research responsibilities

Every head of research must ensure that all staff working at the premises are aware of the risk assessments made for that particular premises. Staff also include students. In addition, the head of research must ensure that all staff are aware that risk assessment must be carried out before new work activities begin. Contact the health and safety representative at the relevant school if help is needed to carry out a new risk assessment.

Practical information

Risk assessments must be carried out before new work activities begin, when there are changes in work activities, and regularly as part of the systematic work environment management. Each school is responsible for documentation. Contact the laboratory safety engineer/laboratory manager or health and safety representative for questions regarding risk assessments.