Fundamentals of Risk Management

Risk strategy
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together with strategies for controlling staff and exposure (directive controls). 
Finally, health and safety controls that are intended to detect the early signs of ill-
health may also be required in certain circumstances (detective controls). Management 
of stress at work is an example where detective controls may be appropriate to
identify early warning signs that stress is affecting staff.
The range of workplace hazards that should be considered when undertaking risk 
assessments will depend on the exact nature of the organization. Detailed guidance 
is available on the management of specific health and safety risks, including:
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dangerous machinery;
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pressure systems;
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noise and vibration;
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electrical safety;
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hazardous substances;
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lifting and manual handling;
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slips, trips and falls;
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display screen equipment;
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human factors and repetitive strain injury;
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radiation;
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vehicles and driving risks;
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fire safety;
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stress at work.
Property fire protection
One of the most common causes of loss and disruption for manufacturing, ware-
housing and leisure and retail businesses is fire. More than half the organizations 
that suffer a major fire fail to fully recover from the event. Fire is a particularly
serious event for manufacturing, transport/distribution and retail, and especially for 
residential, hospitality and leisure occupancies. There is also a strong link between 
the level of building security in place and the prevention of arson attacks.
When designing a fire risk strategy, it is important for the organization to evaluate 
the fire risks in relation to the common causes of fire at places of work. Most fires at 
work are caused by one or more of the following:
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electrical hazards;
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hot work;
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machinery;
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smoking materials;
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flammable liquids;
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bad housekeeping;
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arson.
The most important reason for having fire precautions in place is to protect the 
safety of people who may be affected by the fire. Careful attention should be paid

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