General requirements for health and safety risk management

Conduct a health and safety risk assessment in your practice (see the Health and Safety Risk Assessment template) and Five Steps to a Health and Safety Risk Assessment).

NB: It is a legal requirement to record the significant findings of the assessment if there are five or more members of staff in the practice; however, all practices are strongly advised to do this.

Conduct an individual risk assessments for specific groups of employees e.g. pregnant workers and new mothers [1] and young workers [2].

NB: It is a legal requirement to assess and control the risk for these workers.

Involve all members of the practice in the risk assessment and its findings. Staff meetings are an ideal forum for discussion.

Put together practice policies that detail how risks will be managed (e.g. use of personal protective equipment, managing latex allergies, infection prevention and control, correct use of display screen equipment, use and disposal of hazardous substances, radiation protection; see those aspects of health and safety listed on the landing page to Health and Safety – General for further details). Ensure all staff are aware of the policies and keep them up to date as circumstances change.

Ensure all staff are aware of the policies and keep them up to date as circumstances change.