Are generic risk assessments ok?

[stephen1974]

Are generic risk assessments ok?

I would always have argued no as they should be suitable for the environment you are working in and the practices you follow and generally no two places are the same. However, what about in specific equipment operation?

Example, a company buys the same piece of equipment for 10 sites. It does the same job at each site. It cannot be (properly) used for any other task.
Is a generic risk assessment acceptable in this example when it covers just the specific use of the machine?

[Donnyluke]

I would say no as each different site will have different hazards and working environments.

[stephen1974]

I'm talking about just the risks from using the equipment only, ignore the environment for the moment.

[Blackstone]

The different environments can create different hazards.

Poor lighting creating extra risk, uneven floors while walking around the machine.
Are the different operators similarly trained and experienced?
Do the different sites have the same maintenance routines/procedures and similarly trained and experienced maintenance staff and equipment?

I would say you can do a Generic RA as a starter but must take everything into consideration so each becomes specific.

[bernicarey]

Generic RA have their place, that's why they exist as a concept, for example (not that any window cleaner would actually do so....) a window cleaner would have a generic RA for using their hose and brush system.

They are certainly not going to do a different RA for each property they visit, but they will have a generic one covering trip hazards, water spillage, use of warning signs, correct stowage of hose before moving van, etc.

But for your example of buying 10 items of equipment and installing on 10 different sites, then no, because unless each one is identical, the assessments will be different.
There are exceptions of course, but that would require 10 identical buildings, with 10 items installed in the same location, same room, etc....

[Godscrasher]

They do have their place but if you're doing them make them as a minimum standard. Identify the general hazards and apply the minimum controls you want the team to have in place. Then place the duty on the manager to then adopt and add their controls which will be relevant to the task.

Place an objective on the hierarchy fo control and elimination. Let them justify why 'it' cannot be eliminated to you, then go from there.