Page 4 of 5 Substitution (i.e. what alternatives can be used, for example, chemicals, processes, equipment). Controlling risks at source (i.e. can the hazards be designed out?). Separation and isolation (i.e. physically separating or isolating the process/activity). Safe working procedures (i.e. are these in place and known to individuals taking part?). A ‘Safe Working Procedure Form’ is available from the HR Manager and should be completed as appropriate where there is risk associated with an activity e.g. use of machinery, use of chemicals etc. This must be signed by the manager and the employee. Training instruction and supervision (i.e. are all staff competent to carry out their duties?). Personal protection equipment – PPE (the last resort but also to supplement some of the other controls). Other considerations. Welfare facilities. First aid facilities. Emergency procedures. The ‘Hierarchy of Control’ should always be used in the order it appears on the list, this means starting with whether or not you can eliminate or avoid the hazard. Risk Assessors should then work down the list and introduce the most appropriate means of controlling the risk. Once again it must be stressed that simply issuing PPE is not the first option, in fact it is almost the last thing that should be considered. The best form of control is usually to implement the most appropriate measures from 1 to 4 (above) and then also introduce the measures from 5 to 8 to reinforce the controls. 4.5 The Residual Risk Once all of the control measures have been put in place the remaining or residual risk must then be assessed. This will follow the same process as the ‘Initial Assessment’ with the result being a Risk Factor (R) score. Even after all precautions have been taken, usually some risks remain. What has to be decided for each significant hazard is whether the remaining risk is very high, high, medium or low. This will determine whether any further controls are still necessary in order to make the process as safe as is reasonably practicable. It is also important at this point that the risk assessment is an honest one, for example, a risk must not be given a deliberately low score in order for there to be no further action required. Remember if the process is hazardous, giving it a low score on an assessment form will not make the process any safer. This has to be done through acting upon the findings of the initial assessment.