Here is a quick guide to how to do a risk assessment. It is based on 5 easy steps to risk assessment. You can record the assessment in any way you find convenient but using a database means you can easily share the assessment with other people, make use of model assessments and keep a permanent record of the assessment.

Step 1 – Identify the activity and hazards Describe what it is you are planning to do. Think of the hazards associated with that activity such as fire, electricity, slips, trips and falls etc.

Step 2 – Decide who might be harmed and how? Who might get hurt by those hazards and how e.g.“crew exposed to electricity and risk of electrocution while working outside in wet weather”, “person falling overboard”. Think about the people who can be affected by the activity not just those doing it. Think about injury, physical and psychological health effects, Is anyone particularly at risk? For example: members of the public; children; women who are pregnant; people with a particular health condition; disabled people; inexperienced workers.

Step 3 – Evaluate the risks and determine the controls required Is there a realistic chance that someone could be affected by this hazard? If there is, how badly are they likely to get hurt? And is there a specific legal requirement to consider the particular hazard? If not then you do not have to consider that hazard any further. Otherwise, think about how you can get rid of that hazard completely or reduce its impact – i.e. identify control measures. Implement the control measures – if you’ve said you need to do something to control risk then make sure you do it. Don’t put down things which you can’t implement. Decide how risky the activity is once you have implemented all those controls. Plan for the unexpected – if your controls don’t work and there is an accident, what are your emergency arrangements? Once you have decided on controls think about the remaining (residual) risk: ‘Low Risk’ – means it is very unlikely that the potential harm identified will actually occur, though if it did some of the consequences might still be significant. The activity can proceed as planned provided the controls are fully implemented and the activity is monitored and kept under review. ‘Medium Risk’ – means that the potential harm is not expected to occur, though if it did some of the consequences are likely to be significant. If you have not already done so consider seeking advice from a Manager / Captain and speaking to your manager before proceeding with the activity. ‘High Risk’ – means that there is a realistic chance that the potential harm identified will occur and the consequences of that happening will be significant. Do not proceed until you have taken advice from your Manager / Captain and ensure that this activity is flagged to your manager for authorisation. You need to question whether this activity should proceed at all. In addition any activity with a significantly higher than normal risk of death or serious injury or where there is a potential for exposure to Chemical, Biological or Radiological agents are automatically defined as being “High Risk” and must be discussed with the Management.

Step 4 – Record the findings and implement Record your assessment. Preferably use the Ocean Time Marine Tools but if you can’t, then use any available method – a paper form, a piece to camera, recording it on mic. or just emailing some notes to your manager. Circulate it to anyone who has a part in implementing the controls or who might be at risk.

Step 5 – Review and revise If your plan, or the situation, changes (for example you find you can’t achieve one of your controls) review and if necessary revise the assessment – and record those changes. Ocean Time Marine has developed a Safety Management System (SMS) Software / Template to assist commercial vessel operators in writing a SMS.

Ocean Time Marine is able to assist commercial vessel operators in assessing risk and developing a Safety Management System. Contact us mail@oceantimemarine.com for more information.