3. Take all steps that are reasonably practicable to eliminate or reduce the hazard, if elimination is not possible, then the risk must be controlled. i.e., you notice that you have a large pothole on a walking surface, you decide that it is a hazard and that you will act, and place a small, printed sign on the wall next to the pothole warning employees, despite having access to traffic cones, warning tape and material to fill the hole etc. An employee uses the walking route and badly damages their ankle, it could well be argued that you as the employer reduced the risk by placing the sign on the wall, the question to ask yourself is “Did I do everything which was reasonable and practicable” so could I have done more “Yes” is often the answer. So, what is reasonable and practicable, well it is a balance between time, cost, and effort, the three scenarios above should give a spotlight into the balance to be struck.
References: Source: Health and Safety Made Simple: The basics for your business (hse.gov.uk)
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Jon MartinChartered Health and Safety Advisor Archives
May 2024
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