Risk assessment: whose responsibility? Whose risk? Is the law effective?

This article considers whether organizations take great risks when, as a society, we have never been more risk conscious and risk averse in the context of occupational health and safety. It touches briefly on the liability to compensate victims of personal injury before reviewing the legislation on the identification of, and response to, risks. It investigates the role of the Health and Safety Executive; then considers who has responsibility for carrying out risk assessments and who is at risk when appropriate health and safety procedures are not maintained. Finally, it questions whether there is reason to believe that work-related injuries occur because of failure to control known risks.