Risk assessment in the workplace

Risk assessment of an enterprise is an ongoing process.​​​​​​​

Risk assessment  requires regular mapping processes and evaluations of hazards and challenges in work situations. Assessments must be performed regularly to keep the risk level as low as possible at all times. The employer holds responsibility for ensuring that such assessments are carried out, where the objective is to prevent injuries and illness in connection with work situations.

ALL COMPANIES ARE REQUIRED TO MAP AND EVALUATE HAZARDS AND PROBLEMS AT THE WORKPLACE – AND TO ASSESS THE RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE WORK THAT IS BEING DONE.

Risk assessment made easy

Mapping and assessing the risk of hazards and challenges in work situations don´t have to be difficult and complicated. The risk assessment process will naturally vary depending on the size of the workplace and the type of work being carried out.

Here are three simple questions that should be asked as a part of the risk assessment:

  • What could go wrong at the workplace?
  • What can be done to prevent it happening?
  • What can be done to limit the consequences if things do go wrong?
How to perform a risk assessment at the workplace

A risk assessment should and must always be carried out in consultation with the employees, union representative and safety officer. If you are not sure how to carry out a risk assessment at the workplace – or if particularly complicated hazards exist – you can contact organisations such as the Occupational Health Service for assistance. However, no matter how the process is executed, and who actually performs the risk assessment, it is the employer who holds responsibility. Start the risk assessment at the workplace by identifying all potential dangers. Every risk identified can contribute to the choice of suitable work clothes offering the appropriate level of protection and the necessary comfort. Wenaas can supply bespoke solutions of protective work clothes for almost all professions and working conditions, based on your company’s risk assessments. We supply clothes approved and certified for multiple hazards and dangers. This makes it possible for the individual employee to perform multiple tasks and work in different environments – without having to stop and change clothes.

Examples of risks that should be examined as part of a risk assessment:

RISK ASSESSMENT, WELDERS
  • Protection against contact with heat and flame (EN ISO 11612).
  • Clothes certified for protection against thermal hazards that can occur in connection with electric arc flash accidents (IEC 61482-2).
  • The general guidelines call for an ATPV/EBT rating of at least 8 cal/cm2. In situations of higher risk, we recommend multiple layers of protective clothing, or garments with a higher arc flash rating.

RISK ASSESSMENT, ELECTRICIANS

  • Beskyttelse mot kontakt med varme og flamme (EN ISO 11612).
  • Plagg sertifisert for beskyttelse mot termiske farer som kan oppstå i elektriske lysbue-ulykker (IEC 61482-2).
  • En ATPV/EBT-verdi på minst 8 kal/cm2 er den generelle retningslinjen. Ved høyere risiko er flere lag med beskyttende klær anbefalt, eller klær med høyere lysbue-rangering.

RISK ASSESSMENT, OIL WORKERS

  • Protection against contact with heat and flame (EN ISO 11612).
  • Clothes certified to provide protection against sudden discharges of electrostatic energy and used in situations where there is a risk of static sparks igniting flammable substances such as gas or oil (EN 1149-5).
  • Conductive features such as metal zips and buttons must be concealed for improved safety.
  • Protection against the rain and elevated visibility are also important factors for this group.

RISK ASSESSMENT, RAIL WORKERS

  • Protection against contact with heat and flame (EN ISO 11612).
  • Certified clothes to make users highly visible in their immediate surroundings during the day, at night and in bad weather (EN ISO 20471).
  • Some workers also need clothes certified in accordance with the EN ISO 11611 standard for welding and similar activities.

Products

Related articles

Hivis extreme-ny synlighetskolleksjon fra Wenaas Hivis extreme-ny synlighetskolleksjon fra Wenaas

Workwear for extreme conditions

Project Arctic Protection - a collection developed to cope with with extreme conditions

Read more >>
Hivis ectreme curved- synlighetsbekledning for damer Wenaas Hivis ectreme curved- synlighetsbekledning for damer Wenaas

3-layer flame retardent protection

3-layer clothing with flame-retardant properties from the outer to the inner layer increases safety and flame, arc flash protection and comfort levels all year round.

Read more >>

What is arc flash?

Protection is essential for everyone who works with electrical installations, performs maintenance of equipment in systems not secured against arc flash, and works with high-voltage equipment.

Read more >>