Health and safety risk assessment

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').

Think about people who might not be in the workplace all the time, such as visitors, contractors and maintenance workers.

Take members of the public into account if they could be hurt by your work activities.

If you share a workplace with another business, you will need to consider how your work affects others and how their work affects you and your staff. Talk to each other and make sure controls are in place.

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'.

Groups at particular risk

Remember - some workers may have specific needs and may be at particular risk. Find information on health and safety considerations for the following groups:

• young workers 
• migrant workers
• new workers (information available in a range of languages)
• people with disabilities 
• new and expectant mothers