Colin is back for an all-new series of shows, just in time to guide you through the ever-evolving world of health and safety in the workplace. In this edition he addresses the critical topic of risk assessment, emphasising the often-overlooked implications of categorising risks, particularly those associated with death. He highlights the common practice of using a risk matrix to evaluate likelihood and severity, urging listeners to reflect on the true meaning of a "number five" rating—death KEY TAKEAWAYS Risk assessments are often conducted poorly, and it's crucial to take them seriously, especially when they involve severe outcomes like death. When assessing risks, it's essential to fully comprehend the implications of a severity rating of five (death) and its impact on families, colleagues, and the workplace. Once a risk assessment indicates a potential for death, there is a duty to ensure that the control measures implemented are effective and genuinely reduce the likelihood of such an event occurring. All stakeholders, including managers, supervisors, and employees, must believe in and understand the control measures in place; otherwise, they are unlikely to be followed. BEST MOMENTS "Risk assessment is one of those things that gets done really, really poorly." "The minute we put down a five on a risk assessment, the minute we put death on a risk assessment, we've got a duty to really make sure that the control measures... are gonna be effective." "What sort of impact would it have on the family? What sort of impact does it have on your employees, on the colleagues?" "We've still got death written on our risk assessment... and I just want you to think about that." VALUABLE RESOURCES The Interesting Health & Safety Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/vn/podcast/the-interesting-health-safety-podcast/id1467771449         Project Mollitiam - https://www.projectmollitiam.com       ABOUT THE HOST Colin Nottage ‘Making health and safety as important as everything else we do.’ This is the belief that Colin is passionate about and through his consultancy Influential Management Group (IMG) is able to spread into industry. Colin works at a strategic level with company owners and board members. He helps business leaders establish and achieve their health and safety ambitions. He has developed a number of leading competency improvement programmes that are delivered across industry and his strengths are his ability to take a practical approach to problem-solving and being able to liaise at all levels within an organisation. Colin also runs a company that vets contractors online and a network that develops and support H&S consultancies to become better businesses. Colin chairs the Construction Dust Partnership, an industry collaboration directly involving many organisations, including the Health and Safety Executive. He is a Post Graduate Tutor at Strathclyde University and a highly sought-after health and safety speaker and trainer. He has a Post Graduate Certificate in Safety and Risk management, an engineering degree and is a Chartered Member of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH).