Introduction
Risk assessments keep you and your workmates safe on site. They're required by law for all construction work in the UK.
Many construction workers and supervisors wonder if they need a separate risk assessment for every single job they do, or if they can group similar activities together. This guide will help you understand when to combine activities in one risk assessment and when to keep them separate, with real examples from construction sites.
What the Law Says
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) doesn't expect you to have a separate Risk Assessment for every task. What matters is that you've thought about all the important risks and have plans to deal with them. You can combine related activities in one assessment as long as you cover all the hazards properly.
When to Combine Construction Activities in One Risk Assessment
Construction activities can often be efficiently combined into a single risk assessment when they share common characteristics that make separate assessments redundant. The key is identifying activities that have overlapping risks, safety measures, or operational contexts that would benefit from consolidated planning.
Three main scenarios justify combining activities: when work occurs in the same physical area with similar environmental conditions and hazards, when activities are performed by the same trade using comparable tools and techniques, or when tasks form sequential steps in a connected process.
For instance, while groundwork activities like excavation, pipe laying, and backfilling naturally flow together as part of one continuous operation. This approach reduces paperwork while ensuring comprehensive risk coverage.
Tips for Good Combined Risk Assessments
Use Clear Headings: Make sure work activity states each element of the task
Think About How Jobs Interact: Look for risks that happen when multiple activities occur at the same time or one after another.
Get Input from Workers: Have experienced workers in each activity review their sections.
Keep It Updated: Review and update as work and conditions change.
Examples from Construction Activities
Example 1: Groundworks Package (Combined)
One risk assessment could cover:
Clearing the site and removing topsoil
Digging foundations
Installing drainage
Pouring concrete foundations
Filling back in and compacting
Example 2: Roof Works (Separate)
Separate risk assessments for:
Roof truss installation
Roof tile/covering installation
Why separate these: While all related to the roof, each job involves different materials, techniques, and specific risks. Working at height is common to all, but the detailed safety measures differ significantly.
When to Combine Risk Assessments
Real-World Examples
When Separate Risk Assessments Are Needed
Real-World Examples
CDM Rules to Remember
Under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015:
Main Contractors must make sure proper risk assessments are in place for all construction activities.
Subcontractors must do risk assessments for their work and tell their workers about the findings.
Designers should try to eliminate or control risks through their designs, making site work safer.
Construction Phase Plans often include or refer to risk assessments for key activities.
Conclusion
There's no "one way" to do risk assessments in construction. The decision to combine or separate risk assessments should be based on your specific job, the nature of the work, and making sure all significant risks are properly controlled.
Remember that the main goal isn't just paperwork, but creating a safe working environment by identifying hazards and putting effective safety measures in place.