Safety is NOT your priority
Thomas Sproston • 18 March 2021
It just isn’t and nor should it be. Here’s Why….
As an entity: business, charity or another form– you absolutely must not forget your reason for existing! A business exists to make cash for the shareholders, a charity exists to help its beneficiaries, a Community Interest Company exists to help its community. Striving for achievement of and improvement of performance against this reason for your existence should be your first priority.
Also - priorities change.
But it’s often claimed that entities should not compromise their values in their pursuit of furthering their existence. This is where safety comes in – it should be considered as a value that absolutely cannot be compromised in pursuit of their existence. You must do what you do to the best of your abilities and desired, but you must do that without compromise to acceptable levels of safety.
By compromise I’m not talking about a state achieved after consideration of performance against a particular risk and subsequent non-implementation of safety measures (I’ll discuss this proportionality concept at a later date) – I’m talking about not compromising your values in respect safety; not accepting anything less than what you desire (or require, if you haven’t yet specified a more arduous desire).
It is only a compromise of your values in respect of safety than can cause a reduction in the level of safety – hold it in suitably high regard, implement appropriate management systems, measures and build and maintain the proper culture – and your safety performance will look after itself.
Equally; appropriate strategies, systems and culture will not impede the entity’s performance in achieving it’s reason for existing - done properly, they will actually complement and improve the performance substantially!
Every workplace, no matter how small or low-risk, contains hazards that can lead to injury, ill health, or costly disruption if they aren’t properly managed. Carrying out a risk assessment isn’t just a legal requirement for many UK businesses; it’s one of the most practical tools you have to protect your people, maintain productivity, and demonstrate responsible management. Step 1: Identify the Hazards Begin by walking around your workplace and observing tasks, equipment, and materials. Ask yourself: What could go wrong here? What could cause injury, illness, or property damage? Common examples include: Slips, trips, and falls Manual handling Fire risks Noise and vibration Chemical exposure Electrical hazards Don’t forget less obvious risks like stress, fatigue, or poor ergonomics, regulators are increasingly recognising these as significant. Tip: Involve employees. They often spot day-to-day hazards that managers might overlook. Step 2: Decide Who Might Be Harmed and How First, consider everyone who could be impacted, not just employees. Direct staff (operators, office workers) Contractors and visitors Members of the public (for customer facing businesses) Next, record who faces each hazard and explain how it could harm them, for example, cleaning staff handling disinfectants. Tip: Consider vulnerable groups such as young workers, new starters, or pregnant employees. Step 3: Evaluate the Risks and Decide on Precautions This is where you decide what you’ll do about the risks . For each hazard, ask: How likely is harm to occur? How severe could the outcome be? Use a risk matrix (e.g., 1–5 for likelihood × 1–5 for severity) to prioritise actions. Then apply the Hierarchy of Safety Measures : Eliminate the hazard altogether. Substitute for something less hazardous. Apply engineering controls (e.g., barriers, ventilation). Introduce administrative controls (e.g., safe systems of work). Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) as a last resort. Example: Instead of providing ear defenders for noisy machinery, consider replacing the equipment or adding soundproofing where possible. This provides a higher level of control. Step 4: Record Your Findings and Implement Controls If you have five or more employees , you are required to maintain written records of your risk assessments. But even smaller businesses should record key findings; it’s a good practice and a strong defence if inspected. Your record should include: The identified hazards Who might be harmed and how The control measures in place or needed Who is responsible for implementing them Target completion dates Once completed, communicate the results clearly to employees and ensure that actions are followed up on. Risk assessments are only practical if they lead to real change. Step 5: Review and Update Regularly Workplaces evolve, and the introduction of new equipment, materials, and processes brings about new hazards. You should review your risk assessments: At least annually After significant changes in work activity Following an accident or near-miss When new legislation or guidance is introduced Document reviews and updates demonstrate proactive management, ensuring your compliance evidence remains up to date. Common Mistakes to Avoid Copying someone else’s template without tailoring it to your site Overcomplicating small risks Focusing only on paperwork, not action Failing to involve employees Not revisiting assessments after changes A “suitable and sufficient” risk assessment should be specific, proportionate, and regularly reviewed .
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