Risk Management

It’s important to control and minimise risk in any situations where something may go wrong. Identifying and assessing risk involves common sense and it’s important to balance levels of risk with the ability to carry out an activity. Risks often can’t be eliminated but it’s essential they’re reduced to a level that any participants are comfortable with.

The benefits of recording a risk assessment

It will help regulate proper risk assessment.
Risk management can help you to deliver your project through difficult times
It helps to ensure that everyone has a responsibility for risks and an understanding of why rules are in place. Involve all participants to identify risks.
When risk assessing regular activities it will save time.
Funders will be reassured to see evidence of risk assessments.

Risk identification needs to be carried outon everything associated with a project. This includes the management and administration of the project, finance, property and land, items of equipment, health and safety, activities and events. It’s important to keep a risk document up to date to reflect currentchanges in group activities

It’s also important to keep an accident login case any injuries need to be reported to HSE. ‘Near misses’ should also be recorded to help avoid future problems. An up-to-date log will also help with the risk review process.

Some risks have specific legislation attached and it’s important to understand who has responsibilities in areas such as health and safety, planning development and disability access.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides general advice as well as guidance on drafting health and safety policies for voluntary organisations.

Visit: Health and Safety Executive or call 0300 003 1747.

For additional information regarding health and safety.