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students in their union: clubs and societies handbook 2002/3risk assessmentsRisk assessments are a legal requirement under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.Risk assessment is the process of recognising hazards and analysing what risks they pose to individuals. Asexplained by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE),“a hazard is something with the potential to cause harm (this can include articles, substances,plant or machines, methods of work, the working environment and other aspects of work organisation);a risk is the likelihood of potential harm from that hazard being realised. The extent ofthe risk will depend on:(i) the likelihood of that harm occurring;(ii) the potential severity of that harm, i.e. of any resultant injury or adverse health effect; and(iii) the population which might be affected by the hazard, i.e. the number of people who might beexposed.”The University of Nottingham Students’ Union has developed a definitive guide to assessing and analysing risks andhazards in your activities, following the HSE “Five Steps to Risk Assessment”.step action hintsInitially Identify all of your different activities TrainingCompetitionsMaintenanceMatches/GamesTransportPerformancesRehearsalsMeetings1 Identify possible hazardsdivide them into categories1. Plant & Equipment 1. Tools, fuel, weapons2. Tasks & Procedures 2. Moving heavy equipment3. Environmental factors 3. Hot, confined,slippery surfaces4. Human factors 4. Inexperience, poor fitness23