| PSG REPAIR CAFE RISK ASSESSMENT |
| Name: PURLEY SUSTAINABILITY GROUP | Activity: REPAIR CAFE |
| Date 3-5 PM ONCE A MONTH | Location: MAD DUCK CAFE |
| IDENTIFIED HAZARD |
HAZARD APPLIES TO: | Likelihood | Severity | Risk |
CONTROL PROCEDURES | Revised Likelihood | Revised Severity | Revised Risk |
| ACTIVITY: GENERAL ACTIVITIES |
| 1. Equipment, furniture and building/location hazards |
| Muscular injury/strain or trapping/crushing of fingers etc. from moving and assembling equipment/furniture | PSG members, volunteers, café employees | 3 | 3 | 9 | - Priority should be given to reducing the need for manual handling, by careful site layout and use of handling aids e.g. trolleys, steps.
- Group members/volunteers made aware of manual handling guidelines.
- Group members/volunteers warned of potential injuries and hazards and advised not wear open-toed shoes or sandals while moving or assembling equipment.
- First aid kit carried to attend to any injuries. Medical advice will be sought if more serious injuries occur.
| 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Trip hazards from uneven ground and equipment and accessories including electrical cables/wires |
PSG members, volunteers, café employees, public | 2 | 3 | 6 | - Place equipment and furniture in a safe place away from open floor space and walkways. Check for obstruction and clear any trip hazards. In the case of uneven ground, give warnings to public via signage or verbally where needed.
- Care taken to minimise the distance between sockets and electrical equipment, so as to reduce the need for trailing electrical cables. Ensure that any cables and wires that are required are properly enclosed and secured (e.g. taped to the floor).
- First aid kit carried to attend to any injuries. Medical advice will be sought if more serious injuries occur.
| 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Slip hazards due to wet or polished floors | PSG members, volunteers, public, café employees | 2 | 3 | 6 | - PSG members and volunteers to be aware of any slip hazards and warn members of the public if they occur with warning signage if appropriate.
- Spillages or wet floors should be attended to immediately by PSG members/volunteers/café employees
- First aid kit carried to attend to any injuries. Medical advice will be sought if more serious injuries occur.
| 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Electric Shock/Fire hazard from electronic equipment and fittings | PSG members, volunteers, public, café employees | 2 | 5 | 10 | - All electrical and electronic equipment used will be subjected to a PAT test where possible or a visual check during set-up, to ensure that there are no loose wires, cracked casings etc. Faulty equipment will not be used.
- Electric bulbs should not be in direct contact with any flammable materials.
- Sockets must not be overloaded and electrical equipment should be turned off and unplugged when not in use and at the end of the activity.
| 1 | 5 | 5 |
| General fire hazards
| PSG members, volunteers, public, café employees | 2 | 5 | 10 | - PSG members should be aware of build-up of sources of ignition e.g. waste paper and remove any potential fire hazards e.g. smoking near sources of ignition.
- PSG members and volunteers should familiarise themselves with fire procedures including evacuation procedure, location of nearest fire exits at any building in which they are working.
- PSG members and volunteers should ensure public/attendees at activities are aware of fire procedures and whether there is a fire test scheduled for that day or not.
| 1 | 5 | 5 |
| 2. Cleaning and chemical hazards |
| Chemical burns or poisoning from contact with irritant or poisonous cleaning product. | PSG members, volunteers | 3 | 4 | 12 | - Care should be taken by PSG members, volunteers when cleaning and using chemical cleaning products to avoid splashing on skin or ingestion. Protection equipment such as gloves to be worn where appropriate.
- Cleaning product kept by PSG must be stored out of reach of children and animals. PSG should avoid using chemicals and substances that are classified as “hazardous to health” as defined by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002. Where substances must be stored a COSHH assessment must be completed (see http://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/index.htm).
|
2 | 4 | 8 |
| 3. Weather hazards |
| Extreme weather related illness or injury such as dehydration and sunburn or hypothermia | PSG members, volunteers, members of the public | 2 | 3 | 6 | - In extreme wet, windy or snowy weather large items are not accepted to prevent outdoor repairing. Those participating in activities advised to wear appropriate warm and waterproof clothing.
- ● In sunny weather when working outdoors appropriate level sun cream should be worn, shade requested for the event site and/or hats to cover the head and back of neck. Those participating advised to drink plenty of water to prevent overheating or dehydration.
| 1 | 3 | 3 |
| 4. Working with the public |
| Participant being taken ill or suffer from an attack of a medical condition e.g. asthma, diabetes, epilepsy | PSG members, volunteers, other members of the public | 2 | 5 | 10 | - PSG members/volunteers/café employees to seek medical advice and/or call an ambulance if the situation escalates.
| 2 | 4 | 8 |
| Hostility from the public, physical or verbal aggression, fighting, disruptive or intimidating behaviour
| PSG members, volunteers, other members of the public | 2 | 4 | 8 | - PSG members and volunteers should avoid getting into confrontational situations and remain polite and courteous where possible. If the situation escalates PSG members and volunteers will ask the person to leave the activity or PSG members and volunteers should seek to remove themselves and other members of the public from the situation.
- If a potentially threatening situation does develop, the police should be called to handle the situation.
| 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Safeguarding issues including risk of injury, mental distress or physical, emotional or sexual abuse occurring from unaccompanied children attending the event or children becoming separated from their carers |
Members of the public (children) | 3 | 4 | 12 | - No unaccompanied children permitted to attend the activity or event.
- Parents and carers warned that children must be supervised at all times and that they are ultimately responsible for the well-being of the child/children in their care.
- PSG members and volunteers should ensure they or other members of the public are never left alone with an unaccompanied child.
| 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Safeguarding issues including risk of injury, mental distress or physical, emotional or sexual abuse occurring from vulnerable adults attending activity or event i.e. adults with physical and learning disabilities, elderly people with physical access requirements and adults with ill mental health |
Members of the public (vulnerable adults) | 3 | 4 | 12 | - PSG members and volunteers to ensure that activities and events are free of disabling barriers or that adequate access provision has been considered to accommodate attendees with physical and learning disabilities or elderly people with physical access requirements.
- PSG members and volunteers should ensure they or other members of the public are never left alone with a vulnerable adult.
| 2 | 3 | 6 |
| 5. ACTIVITY: REPAIR CAFE (inc. electrical repairs and PAT testing) |
| Risk of injury when moving, handling or repairing donated items e.g. cuts from sharp edges or strain from heavy items , knife sharpening | PSG members & volunteers | 2 | 2 | 4 | - PSG members & volunteers should be briefed to inspect items for rough or sharp edges when they are first donated and objects with sharp edges or points will not be distributed to the public. If the edge or point is both obvious and an integral part of the object (such as the points on a garden fork) warnings will be given to the public.
- PSG members & volunteers should use manual handling best practice when moving items.
| 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Danger of fire or electrocution from electrical equipment |
PSG members & volunteers, public | 2 | 5 | 10 |
- Electrical items must be tested by someone who is Portable Appliance Test (PAT) trained. Visual checks must be done first to that see that the items are in a proper state of repair. e.g. unplugged, check for loose wires/cracked casing, check that cable flex is in good condition. NB Battery powered items do not need to be PAT tested.
- Extension leads are PAT tested regularly.
- PAT testing equipment should be regularly maintained and checked before use for any damage. PAT tester will be calibrated on an annual basis.
- Only small domestic electrical items should be accepted. Large electrical items and ‘white goods’ (e.g: fridges, washing machines) and electric blankets will be refused due to being high risk.
- Where PAT testing is not possible, electrical items may be accepted by PSG members and volunteers who are willing to take the item to a recycling centre or a charity shop that can legally accept them.
- All machinery and equipment is subject to routine and ongoing maintenance, all of which is documented with any broken items decommissioned and any repair work being done as reasonably practicable.
- Repairs to be done only by those competent and confident to do so.
- Electric bulbs should not be in direct contact with any flammable materials.
- Sockets must not be overloaded and electrical equipment should be turned off and unplugged when not in use and at the end of the activity.
- Residual circuit devices (RCD) used in all sockets and extension leads to monitor the electrical circuit and shut off the electricity when activated to prevent electric shocks.
- Visual checks that the items are in a proper state of repair will also be done e.g. checking for loose wires/cracked casing.
- Items that are dangerous on inspection (e.g. live wires). or have a high-risk factor (e.g. electric blankets) may be refused.
- All devices will be unplugged from mains, and batteries removed before opening them.
- Do not leave drinks or water near electrical items where they may be spilled.
| 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Chemical burns or poisoning from contact with irritant or poisonous materials, including leaking batteries |
PSG members & volunteers, members of the public | 2 | 3 | 6 | - Do not use any material that might be classified as hazardous waste. This includes – solvents, bleach, disinfectants, batteries, decorating paints, agricultural chemicals (fertilizer, pesticides) or automotive chemicals (engine oil, brake fluid).
- PSG members & volunteers should inspect all battery powered appliances as they are handed in. If the appliance contains batteries, they should be removed and recycled using local facilities. A pair of rubber gloves should be worn if the battery is observed to be leaking.
| 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Hazards associated with public taking damaged or broken items | PSG members & volunteers | 2 | 4 | 8 |
- PSG members and volunteers to inspect items for damage that could result in injury or harm and to remove them if damage cannot be fixed e.g. faulty brakes on a bicycle. Members of the public to be warned verbally or by a sign displayed clearly to also inspect items before taking them off the premises.
- A validation process is in place to ensure repaired items are fit for purpose and safe to be passed back to the customer, (and documented on initial form)
- Items which cannot be repaired or have failed PAT testing should be clearly marked and kept out of reach of the public.
- The group's insurance policy includes product liability cover.
| 1 | 4 | 4 |
| Injury including burns or poisoning from fume ingestion when using soldering iron | PSG members & volunteers | 3 | 3 | 9 | - Care taken when using soldering iron and gloves worn.
- Warning to attendees and other volunteers not to come to close when working.
- Soldering activity should only happen near a source of ventilation.
- Lead-free solder will be used.
| 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Poisoning or irritation from using glue or paints | PSG members & volunteers | 2 | 2 | 4 |
- Volunteers should avoid using chemicals and substances that are classified as “hazardous to health” as defined by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002. Where substances must be stored a COSHH assessment must be completed (see http://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/index.htm).
- Protective equipment to be used where necessary such as gloves and face masks.
| 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Eye injury from small components flying into eyes when item is dismantled | PSG members & volunteers | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Safety glasses for dealing with items with small components provided where needed. | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 6. ACTIVITY: UPCYCLING / REPAIR / CRAFT / SEWING |
| Injury from working with old or broken items including splinters, cuts, abrasions | PSG members & volunteers | 2 | 3 | 6 |
- PSG members and volunteers to take care when handling old and broken items and wear gloves where necessary.
- Only trained people only should repair electrical items.
| 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Injury from using equipment such as tools, scissors, needles etc. | PSG members & volunteers | 2 | 2 | 4 |
- PSG members and volunteers to take care when using tools and equipment including not running or waving tools.
- Protective equipment to be used where necessary according to the task outlined, such as gloves.
| 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Poisoning or irritation from using glue or paints | PSG members & volunteers | 2 | 2 | 4 |
- Volunteers should avoid using chemicals and substances that are classified as “hazardous to health” as defined by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002. Where substances must be stored a COSHH assessment must be completed (see http://www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/index.htm).
- Protective equipment to be used where necessary such as gloves and face masks.
| 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 7. ACTIVITY: BICYCLE REPAIRS |
| Injury from using tools and equipment such as bike stands, including cuts, scrapes, grazes, bruises, pinches, broken bones and concussion from knocks | PSG members & volunteers | 3 | 4 | 12 |
- Tools should only be used by or under the supervision of a trained mechanic or responsible adult. Warning given to use tools sensibly.
- Those responsible for the tools should ensure that the conditions of the tools are checked for damage before use.
- Protective equipment should be worn where necessary such as gloves, aprons or googles. Participants advised to tie back hair or other pieces of clothing that might become trapped in equipment.
- A first aid kit will be carried for any minor injuries. In the case of more serious injuries, professional medical advice will be sought.
| 2 | 4 | 8 |
| Injury from trips and slips due to poor tool and equipment storage. | PSG members, volunteers, public | 2 | 3 | 6 |
- PSG members and volunteers to ensure that all tools and equipment are kept on a table rather than on floors so they are out of walkways or doors when not in use.
| 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Injury from lifting bikes and equipment such as strains and bruises | PSG members, volunteers, public | 2 | 3 | 6 |
- Only participants who feel able should lift bikes and equipment, making sure they use manual handling best practice.
| 1 | 3 | 3 |
