5. Risk Assessment

It is important to have procedures that encourage participation. Risk assessment should focus on real risks, rather than on those that are trivial or the result of over-protectiveness.

The employer has a legal responsibility to ensure risk assessments are in place for off-site visits and to have a system that ensures these are being implemented.

Despite the best planning, the unexpected may happen during a visit. Visit Leaders have to be prepared to change and adapt as required. Experience and training will enable sound judgements to be made.

All external providers must have risk assessments in place. Depending on the nature of the visit and activities to be undertaken the Visit Leader needs to consider whether they need sight of these.