Construction Risk Assessments: A Guide

From spotting hazards to controlling them, we break down construction risk assessments and show how Work Wallet helps you manage them all quickly and effectively.

Construction Risk Assessments: What You Need to Know

When you're running a busy construction site, safety is always at the top of the list. But risk assessments? Let's be honest; they can feel like paperwork for paperwork's sake. The truth is, they're not just box-ticking exercises. They're the backbone of a safer site and a smoother project.

At Work Wallet, we make safety simple. Risk assessments don't have to be a headache, especially when you've got the right tools to help you stay on top of them. Whether you're working the same job across multiple sites or dealing with unpredictable situations, understanding how to spot, assess, and reduce risks is essential. It keeps your team safe and your projects running smoothly.

Let's break it down and show you how our platform makes construction risk assessments easier, quicker, and more effective.

Types of Construction Risk Assessments

Not all risk assessments are the same. The type you need will depend on the task, the team, and the worksite.

Qualitative

This is the most common type. Risks are rated as high, medium, or low based on their likelihood and the potential severity of the consequences. It's based on experience and judgement.

Generic

Great for repeat tasks. This assessment consolidates common hazards into a single document that can be used across multiple sites performing the same type of work.

Dynamic

Used when things change quickly on site. These are made at the moment when new risks arise and quick decisions are needed.

Site-Specific

This examines the specific risks associated with a particular site. It includes everything from hazardous materials and manual handling to noise levels, access points, and fire safety.

Work Wallet lets you create, manage, and share all of these from one place; no more chasing paperwork or wondering who's seen what.

The Five Steps to a Solid Risk Assessment

Whatever type of assessment you're doing, these five steps help you cover the essentials:

Identify the Hazards

Think about what could go wrong. This includes tools, machinery, chemicals, working at height, the state of the ground, and even the weather. Don't forget to consider hidden risks, such as routine maintenance or long-term health issues.

Decide Who Might Be Harmed and How

Think about everyone. Your team, subcontractors, visitors, and the public. Consider how each hazard could affect them and what the potential outcome might be.

Evaluate the Risks and Decide on Precautions

Judge how likely each risk is and how serious it could be. Then, take action. This may involve setting up barriers, issuing personal protective equipment (PPE), limiting access, or providing specialised training. The greater the risk, the more effort is required to manage it.

Record the Findings

If you have five or more employees, it's a legal must. Even if you don't, it's good practice. With Work Wallet, you can log everything digitally. That way, your findings are easy to store, update, and share with the right people.

Review and Update When Needed

Sites don't stay the same for long. Whenever something changes – the layout, the team, the tools, or the rules – your risk assessment should change too. Work Wallet helps you stay on top of it with quick updates and easy access.

Take the Hassle Out of Risk Assessments

With Work Wallet, you can forget clipboards and complicated spreadsheets. Our digital tools help you:

• Build risk assessments using ready-made templates or custom fields.
• Assign and track actions with reminders.
• Update assessments in real time
• Share reports instantly with teams on-site or off-site
• Keep everything organised in one secure location.

We make it easy to integrate risk management into your everyday operations without slowing down the job.

Keep an Eye on Supplier and Contractor Risk

Your team might be covered, but what about the contractors and suppliers you work with?

Work Wallet helps you manage third-party risk properly. You can track permits, view training records, and check compliance details all in one place. That means fewer gaps and better control over who's working on your site and how safe they are.

Ready to make risk assessments work for you?

Let's talk. The Work Wallet platform is here to help you take control of safety, stay compliant, and keep your projects moving.

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