Project Student Guide to Risk Assessment

Who needs to perform a risk assessment?

If your project involves fieldwork of any kind, you will need to perform a risk assessment. This includes survey work performed by HuGe students.
If your project involves laboratory work, you will need to perform a risk assessment, followed by a CoSHH (control of substances hazardous to health) assessment. This is a specialised and more detailed assessment of risks posed by chemical hazards. The basic risk assessment is performed first to highlight the type of laboratory work to be undertaken and does not need to include detailed chemical hazards. If you have ticked "yes" to the CoSHH hazards in section 5 of either risk assessment form, then you will definitely need to perform a CoSHH assessment as well.
Risk assessment flowchart (PDF , 446kb)

What help is available to perform a risk assessment?

In the first instance, you should discuss the hazards likely to be encountered with your supervisor.
The assessment forms an integral part of your project planning and must be recorded in writing and have the approval of your supervisor.
If you and your supervisor require further assistance, Dave Hay can offer further help.
CoSHH assessments are completed by referring to the MSDS. The MSDS is a material safety data sheet and accompanies all chemicals sold in the UK. The MSDS contains information on health risks, disposal, chemical structure, and general handling precautions. A guide to safety data sheets is provided by Sigma-Aldrich. There is a search bar on the MSDS page where you can type in the name of the substance you are using and then download/view the material safety data sheet.

What to consider when completing a risk assessment

There are 5 main actions relating to a risk assessment

Identify the hazards. The hazards in this case are not generic, they are site specific. This is a generic risk assessment and not all hazards will be present at all sites
Assess the risks - decide who might be harmed and how. In this instance, this will include University of York staff and students and volunteers assisting with the research project.
Evaluate the risks and decide how to control the risks - see below for assessment of hazards, risk scoring and the principle of hierarchy of controls.
Record significant findings and implement controls.
Review controls periodically or when changes occur.

Apply the hierarchy of controls in the following order for each hazard identified

Eliminate - Remove the hazard wherever possible which negates the need for further controls. If this is not possible, you must explain why
Substitute - Replace the hazard with one which is less hazardous. If this is not possible, you must explain why
Physical controls - these are barriers which prevent physical access to a hazard, such as guard rails, fences etc
Administrative controls - these include training and supervision. Ensure that training is adequate for the tasks to be undertaken and that supervision is in place where necessary
Personal Protective Equipment - this is a last resort and includes things such as flotation aids, gloves, life jackets, safety spectacles, appropriate clothing, footwear designed for risk reduction.

Communication

This risk assessment must be made available to all participants in the project.

What happens when I have completed my risk assessment?

Both you and your supervisor will need to sign the completed risk assessment forms and submit a copy by email to environment-safety@york.ac.uk.
This will be held on file to satisfy the legal requirements placed upon the department to record the risks to staff, students and members of the public caused by the actions of departmental members.

Who is there to help on a day to day basis?

Depending upon the type of laboratory or fieldwork you are doing, the laboratory technical staff can assist you with the following:

obtaining field equipment
use and training on specialised laboratory equipment
purchasing chemicals and laboratory consumables
general support and advice

You can contact the technical team using the Environment technicians email address.

The first point of contact for all dissertation students is Debs Sharpe, so please see Debs before you start your lab work.

Rebecca Sutton is the senior research technician responsible for the first contact with PhD students, so please get in touch with Rebecca before getting started.

Access to Private Property for Fieldwork Purposes

From time to time, some projects will require students to access private property. In this instance, it is essential that you do the following:

Make 2 copies of a brief description of activities to be undertaken on the property
Have both signed by the landowner and you
Keep one copy for yourself
Give one copy to the landowner
These are required for insurance purposes and to provide proof of authorisation to be on private land should it be required by either the landowner, landowner's agents, the University or its insurers.
Whilst working on private property, remember you are a representative of the University and Department of Environment and Geography. Please act responsibly. Failure to do so will be considered a disciplinary matter.
You must take care of your own health and safety and that of people who may be affected by what you do (or do not do).
You must also co-operate with others on health and safety, and not interfere with, or misuse, anything provided for your health, safety or welfare.

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