Insight 25 September 2023

Risk assessment vs method statement: What are the key differences?

risk assessment vs method statement key differences blog

Risk assessments and method statements are crucial Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) documents. However, they fulfil separate functions. We’ve created a table to help you understand the key differences between these important documents at a glance:

	Risk assessment	Method statement
Defination	A thorough process for the evaluation, identification and mitigation of potential risks and hazards associated with a specific workplace activity.	A set of step-by-step instructions which describes how a user or users should safely complete a task.
Format	A document containing the identified hazards, an analysis of the risks and suggested steps towards mitigation, and the completion date and a set review date.	A document containing the steps to be taken, in the correct order, to safely complete a task. It also contains relevant safety information, including suggested safety precautions and PPE requirements.
When it is needed	A risk assessment is needed before starting any work activity. A risk assessment can be necessary if there are changes to the workplace, such as adding new equipment or processes, or simply if some time has passed since the last risk assessment. All employees, including new employees, should be aware of any risk assessments relevant to their role.	Method statements are normally needed after a risk assessment but before specific complex and high-risk tasks or activities start.
Legality	Risk assessments are required by law in the UK under the Health and Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.	Method statements are generally not a legal requirement in the UK. Both clients and regulators sometimes request method statements which can be used to demonstrate compliance with safety regulations. Method statements are considered best practice in several high-risk industries.
Sectors	Risk assessments are required in all sectors where potential hazards are present.	Method statements are most commonly used in high-risk sectors like construction, engineering, and heavy industry, as these sectors have specific high-risk tasks that need to be carried out in a specific way.
Further Information	You can learn more about risk assessments in the CHAS introduction to risk assessments. You can access a FREE risk assessment template here.	You can learn more about method statements in the CHAS blog “What is a method statement”?

In the rest of this blog, we’ll go over the differences between risk assessments and method statements in more detail so you can be sure you’re using the correct documentation for your situation. We’ll also discuss how to successfully implement workplace risk assessments and method statements.

What is a risk assessment?

A risk assessment is a thorough process for evaluating, identifying and mitigating potential risks and hazards associated with a specific workplace activity. At CHAS, which is a Veriforce company, we recommend that a risk assessment should be made up of five steps, as detailed in our blog:

Identify potential hazards.
Decide who might be harmed and how.
Evaluate the risks and take steps to prevent them.
Record your findings.
Review the risk assessment.

A risk assessment is an essential part of Occupational Health and Safety management. It’s also a legal requirement in the United Kingdom under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

A key part of a risk assessment is hazard identification. Are there any potential hazards to assess? You might only know this once you do a risk assessment! This is why risk assessments are required even for workplaces that might not appear dangerous at first glance.

What is a method statement?

A method statement is a document that details exactly how a specific task can be carried out safely. A method statement aims to reduce the chance of accidents or mistakes occurring on a particular task.

A method statement typically contains essential details, including but not limited to the sequence of work, supervisory arrangements, controls for the safety of third parties and emergency procedures.

Method statements are critical in construction because of the high-risk nature of the work. According to a study by HSE, the accident rate in construction per 100,000 workers is 3.4%, higher than in transport and storage (2.7%) and manufacturing (3%).

Method statements can also form part of a body of evidence which shows that an organisation is complying with health and safety regulations. While not a legal requirement, a method statement can help demonstrate that an organisation follows best practices concerning Occupational Health and Safety.

What are the differences between A risk assessment and a method statement?

As should be clear, risk assessments and method statements are distinct documents, though both are ultimately designed to enhance workplace safety. In this section, we’ll go over how risk assessments and method statements differ:

A risk assessment is always needed, whereas a method statement is required only for specific, high-risk tasks.
Risk assessments are needed in all sectors, whereas method statements are typically associated with specific, high-risk sectors such as construction and manufacturing.
A risk assessment is a legal requirement, whereas a method statement is best practice.
A risk assessment is normally completed before a method statement. The method statement should be created regarding the risks already identified in the risk assessment.

It’s essential to understand the distinctions between a risk assessment and a method statement for effective health and safety management in the workplace.

Integrating risk assessments and method statements into the workplace

As risk assessments and method statements should be used, reviewed and updated continuously, you’ll need an effective system.

One of the most important things to do is to designate someone as responsible for risk assessments and method statements. It should be clear who’s running the original risk assessment or writing out the method statement, who’s responsible for implementing any recommendations, who’s responsible for ongoing monitoring and who’s responsible for reviews as and when needed.

While it is ultimately an employer’s responsibility to ensure that health and safety regulations are followed, they delegate some responsibilities to a suitable person.

Documentation is another important aspect of both risk assessments and method statements. Both should be written out clearly and concisely and stored somewhere safe that is accessible to those that need it. You may have a digital copy of these documents, but consider having printed physical copies on-site. It is a legal requirement that the findings of a risk assessment are communicated to employees and that they are also consulted.

Lastly, ensure that your employees receive training on understanding the information in a risk assessment or follow the steps in a method statement. Running live training will show everyone that these documents are essential and contain crucial information.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a risk assessment is a document for identifying, evaluating and mitigating potential hazards. At the same time, a method statement is a set of step-by-step instructions for safely completing a task. Both are vital documents in Occupational Health and Safety, particularly in the construction industry. To learn more about method statements and access a free safety method evaluation template, visit our blog.

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