Risk Control and Minimisation

Risk control means to eliminate the risk, so far as elimination of the risk is reasonably practicable; or to minimize the risk, so far as elimination of the risk is not reasonably practicable. During the design stage the designers have a duty to ensure that they have applied due diligence by designing out any hazards they have identified that may occur during the construction or maintenance of the works. If they cannot completely eliminate the risk then they should offer up alternatives with lesser risk.

Identification of the remaining hazards should be documented, most likely in the Preconstruction Information, so that all parties are aware of them. The contractor should then detail, in the Construction Phase Plan, how they intend to take measures to eliminate or minimise the risk during the construction phase.

This may include instruction on how to isolate the hazard, so far as reasonably practicable, from persons subject to the risk. This may well include the application of administrative measures such as the adoption of safe systems of work to minimize the risk or even the use of personal protective equipment by persons subject to the risk.