ABSTRACT
The identification and control of hazards does not occur in a vacuum. The methods and techniques of risk assessment may be well understood but they will struggle to be effective in reducing incidents and injury unless they are deployed within an effective management framework. Risk assessments result in changing the actions and behaviour of those affected. The behaviour change is sometimes mistakenly thought of as affecting shop floor employees alone but directors, managers and supervisors are also affected. If risk assessments are to be effective the organisation as a whole needs to understand its roles and responsibilities. This is evident in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act, 19741 where section 2 (2) requires the employer to provide safe systems of work, information, instruction, training and supervision. This can best be achieved through a proper organisation and administration.
