Does this count as a risk assessment?

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Pregnant and in a bit of a pickle with work. Currently feel unsafe in working environment and have requested several times for a risk assessment to be carried out. They’ve now said that a checklist sent out to all staff in October constitutes my pregnancy and COVID risk assessment. For reference, it literally is a list of questions along of the lines of ‘are you aware of x procedure’ relating to COVID procedures. It’s a tick box exercise. Nothing mentioned about pregnancy specifically, about manual handling risks etc, let alone COVID risks. Is this a sufficient risk assessment? I have refused to go in until a risk assessment is carried out, but if they maintain that that is one then I’m not sure where I stand. Help?

A risk assessment is a five stage process. Please refer to www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/risk/steps-needed-to-manage-risk.htm

From the information you have given it does not appear to meet the standard required. Please can you provide some additional information on the questions and who wrote the document?

The risk assessment must be undertaken by a competent person. Does it say what the person’s qualifications are?

Let me know and I will advise further

I forgot to say in the meantime to cover yourself report it to your gp and ensure it goes on record. Then ask your gp to write to the HR director and ask for a risk assessment. Also point out it has not been done yet. Send the letter by recorded delivery in case you need it at a later date.

@Need2escape2021 thank you so much for replying. It has questions such as:
‘are you aware of the correct procedures for washing your hands’
‘When not wearing a mask, are you keeping 2m away from colleagues’
‘Do you understand the rules we must abide by to minimise any social contact out with work ie, car sharing’

And approximately 6 other questions generally relating to reading company guidance and following COVID cleaning procedures.

It was sent by the director of the company and was required for all staff to complete at beginning of October. I’ve been told this covers me as my pregnancy risk assessment by the person who deals with HR, who is the company accountant. I have no idea of their qualifications.

I was then told I could be sent an ‘enhanced risk assessment’ for my completion which covers vulnerable risk groups - I haven’t received this yet, and assume it’s a template they’ve pulled from Google. Am I right in thinking my employer needs to complete the risk assessment, not me?

You need to look at regulation 16 of the management of health and safety at work regulations. It says they have to have a specific risk assessment and if something goes wrong because they don't they are negligent. You would be able to make a civil claim against them.

Please talk to your union too.

@Noreasonwhynot I don’t have a union, I work in community pharmacy so private sector. I looked at Unison earlier today but would need to be a member for 4 weeks before they could help.

I would join now ready in case you need them. I hope you get somewhere looking up the regulations.

@Noreasonwhynot thank you. I’ll look them up tomorrow.

Go to your doctor and get a letter sent. You need an individual bespoke risk assessment as you are classed as a vulnerable person. Ensure the letter is sent recorded delivery. Bear in mind COVID-19 is RIDDOR reportable therefore in the event you got it then it would be reportable to the health and safety executive

You need to look for a competent person with CMIOSH and/ OSHCR level qualifications ideally.

Some helpful info for you from HSE - risk assessment

A risk assessment is not a questionaire, that at best is a toolbox talk. A risk assessment will describe any possible risks, any ways the company can mitigate them, and the perceived levels of risk both prior to and after measures are implemented.