Beyond RAMS: Discover why ‘Risk Assessment Method Statement’ might not always be the best approach and what to do instead.
When it comes to risk assessment in the workplace, understanding how to effectively reduce and manage risk is crucial for maintaining a safe environment. After evaluating the level of risk, you might find it uncomfortably high, necessitating measures to bring it down. This is where the concept of the ‘Hierarchy of Control’ becomes essential.
The ‘Hierarchy of Control’ is a well-established principle in risk management, often encapsulated in mnemonics like “Eric saves people” or variations thereof. These mnemonics stand for steps such as ‘Eliminate’, ‘Reduce’, ‘Isolate’, ‘Control’, ‘Systems of Work’, and ‘PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)’. The core idea is to start from the top of this hierarchy when selecting controls to mitigate risk.
A common misconception in risk management is the overreliance on PPE. While PPE does provide a layer of protection, it doesn’t address the hazard itself. The more effective approach is to start at the top of the hierarchy and explore ways to eliminate the hazard altogether. For instance, window cleaners opting for telescopic handles to clean windows from the ground level, rather than working at height, is a prime example of eliminating the risk of falls.
Another concept often discussed in health and safety is ‘RAMS’ (Risk Assessment Method Statement). This approach, however, can be misleading. It tends to imply a direct jump from risk assessment to method statement, bypassing other crucial steps in the hierarchy. Method statements, being administrative controls, should not be the first resort. They are part of the hierarchy, but only after options like elimination, substitution, and engineering controls have been considered.
The key is to treat the hierarchy of control like a funnel. Start at the top with elimination and work your way down, considering each level before proceeding to the next. This process ensures a thorough evaluation of all potential control measures, leading to more effective and practical solutions.
By adopting this structured approach, businesses can avoid the pitfall of hastily jumping to administrative controls and PPE. Instead, they can develop comprehensive strategies that address risks at their source, leading to a significantly safer and healthier workplace. The hierarchy of risk control is effective, but its true power lies in its sequential consideration of all layers during risk assessment and implementation of risk reduction strategies.
