19.1 Risk assessment is here to stay

Reference was made in chapter 1: introduction to some of the recommendations of the Robens Committee, made in 1972, which eventually resulted in the Health and Safety at Work etc Act in 1974 (HSWA 1974). One of the themes of the Robens report was that of self-regulation that employers should address all of the risks involved in their activities rather than just those for which there were specific legal provisions.

To that end, HSWA 1974 contained a number of general obligations of employers and the self-employed both towards their own employees and to others not in their employment, who might be affected by their work activities. These requirements were qualified by the phrase so far as is reasonably practicable . As was explained in chapter 1: introduction, this in effect required employers to carry out a risk assessment in order to identify foreseeable risks and determine what were or were not reasonably practicable precautions. chapter 17: risk assessment related concepts also explained how the process of risk assessment is fundamental in determining a safe system of work another basic obligation under HSWA 1974.

This progress towards self-regulation was further formalised by the requirements contained in the Management Regulations 1999 and other specific codes of Regulations for risk assessments to be made and (in most cases) to be recorded. In effect the Management Regulations 1999 oblige employers to carry out a risk assessment every time a new statutory...