Hazard and Risk Management

Policy

Test Medical Centre Cornerstone meets its legislative and regulatory duties to identify workplace hazards that cause foreseeable risks to health and safety. We take reasonably practicable actions to eliminate or minimise risks to the health and safety of everyone involved with the practice.

Everyone with duties under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 must also work to eliminate or minimise health and safety risks. This includes staff, patients, and visitors.

Stress, fatigue, pain, or discomfort are recognised workplace risks. Staff should report them early so risks can be minimised.

All hazards are recorded in the hazard register, which is reviewed and updated at least every 6–12 months, or earlier if needed.

The practice manager is responsible for hazard and risk management. This includes identifying and investigating incidents, in conjunction with senior clinical staff if needed.

See Health and Safety for details of duty holders at Test Medical Centre Cornerstone.

Identifying hazards and risks

We are committed to proactively identifying and managing hazards and risks:

• We regularly inspect our facility to identify potential hazards (e.g. wet floors, cluttered walkways, loose cables, poor lighting).
• Staff are encouraged to report hazards as soon as they are identified using the hazard reporting form.
• We assess all reported hazards to determine the level of risk, using a risk assessment matrix that considers likelihood and potential harm
• We record all identified hazards in a hazard and risk register.

See Sitesafe: Manage your hazards onsite for a risk assessment matrix.

Managing and controlling risks

Once a hazard has been identified and recorded, we decide how to manage the risk. We use the hierarchy of control framework to identify control measures that are proportionate to the risk and are the most appropriate and effective.

We take one or more of the following steps to minimise the risk. We use the most effective control that is reasonably practicable.

1. Eliminate – Remove the hazard entirely (e.g. mop up spills).
2. Minimise:
   • Substitution – Replace the hazard with something safer (e.g. replace cleaning chemicals with a non-toxic alternative).
   • Engineering controls – Isolate people from the hazard (e.g. add a barrier or ventilation)
3. Administrative controls – Change how people work (e.g. training)
4. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Use gear to protect people (e.g. gloves, masks, face shields).

See Advanced Safety: Hierarchy of Control: How to Manage Workplace Risk for more guidance.

Monitoring and review

We regularly monitor and review all identified risks and control measures:

• The hazard register is reviewed and updated every 6–12 months.
• Risks are reviewed after any incident or near miss, change in work practices, introduction of new equipment, etc.
• Incidents and significant risks are reported to the clinical governance team for oversight, and to identify if follow-up is needed.
• We encourage staff to raise concerns with practice management about risks they notice or controls that are not working as they should.

Related policies

• Health and Safety
• Health and Safety Training and Induction
• Incidents
• Worker Engagement, Participation, and Representation
• Clinical Governance

Resources / Further information

• Worksafe: Identifying, assessing, and managing work risks (pdf)

Supporting documentation

Hazard identification form