Risk assessment of work practices is a legal requirement in the UK. An important precursor to undertaking a risk assessment is the ability to identify the relevant hazards, assess control measures and, if necessary, quantify the hazards. Research has shown that the standard approach to identifying the hazards, even by experienced inspectors and safety professionals is essentially unstructured.
A procedure has been developed which allows employers to undertake a risk assessment of any work processes involving the use of lasers. The laser product and the workplace are compartmentalised ensuring that the hazards are identified in a systematic manner.
Having identified the hazards and assessed control measures it is then possible to assess the risk from the remaining hazards and decide whether further control measures are necessary.