Health and Safety

Executive

Example risk assessment for a motor vehicle showroom

Setting the scene How was the risk assessment done? How to use this example
The owner first looked at the relevant guidance on the
The company sells motor vehicles from a small HSE website including: This example risk assessment shows a wide range of
showroom and forecourt on a high street. Opening hazards that might be present in this type of small
hours are 10.00 am to 6.00 pm, 7 days a week. ■■ The health and safety toolbox: How to control risks at business. It can be used as a guide to help you think
work (www.hse.gov.uk/toolbox/index.htm) through some of the hazards in your business and the
Ten staff work at the company, five full-time and five ■■ Health and safety in the motor vehicle repair (MVR) steps you need to take to control the risks.
part-time. Apart from the showroom and forecourt, industry (www.hse.gov.uk/mvr/index.htm)
there are two offices (one for closing sales and However, this is not a generic risk assessment. Every
completing documentation, one for the manager and He then identified the hazards in the showroom. He did business is different. To satisfy the law you must
identify and assess the hazards your business poses,
company secretary), a designated car wash/valet this by:
think through the controls required to provide effective
area behind the showroom, a small kitchen, toilet and
protection to people who may be affected by them, and
washing facilities. Vehicle servicing and repair is ■■ walking around the premises noting things that might record the significant findings from your risk
done off-site, by a different company. cause harm, and taking into consideration what was assessment of your business.
learnt from HSE’s guidance
The premises are cleaned every day, between 5.30 ■■ talking to staff to learn from their knowledge and
pm and 6.30 pm, by staff from a contract cleaning experience and listen to their concerns and opinions Putting the risk assessment into practice, the manager set
company. The same company also cleans the about health and safety issues out what actions needed to be taken, who would do them
showroom and office windows, and supplies staff for ■■ talking to the cleaning staff, and the manager of the and by when. The owner displayed the risk assessment in
car valeting and washing. contract cleaning company, to ensure that their work the kitchen and the findings were discussed with all staff
did not pose a risk to others and the cleaners.
The premises were built in 2003 and do not contain ■■ looking at the accident book to learn what had
any asbestos. previously resulted in accidents or near misses. The owner decided to review the risk assessment
whenever there were any significant changes such as new
The owner carried out the risk assessment. As he identified the hazards, he also thought about who work equipment, work activities or staff.
could be harmed by them and how accidents might
happen.

He noted what was already being done to control the

risks and considered whether he needed to do anything
more. He then recorded any further actions required.

Example risk assessment: motor vehicle showroom 1 of 3 pages

 Health and Safety
Executive

Company name: Smith’s Motor Sales Date of risk assessment: 01/05/12

What are the Who might be harmed What are you already doing? Do you need to do anything else to control this Action by Action by Done
hazards? and how? risk? who? when?
Slips and trips Staff and customers may ■■ Staff clean up spillages promptly and when necessary use ■■ Remind staff to put warning cones around spillages Manager 05/05/12 03/05/12
Spillages, stairs or be injured if they trip over ‘wet floor’ signs during cleaning and drying
uneven surfaces objects or slip on spillages. ■■ Showroom floor is machine cleaned and polished after the
showroom is closed
■■ Good lighting in all areas
■■ Floor surfaces, inside and out, in good condition
■■ Trailing leads or cables are secured
■■ Door mats are placed at the entrance in wet weather
Vehicle movements Staff and others risk ■■ Staff cars are parked at the back, away from customer area ■■ Only authorised staff allowed to move vehicles Manager 08/05/12 02/05/12
Moving of cars or potentially serious injury if ■■ All staff expected to move vehicles hold a full driving
deliveries struck by a moving vehicle. licence
■■ Staff ensure that cars being manually pushed always have
a person seated at the wheel, to keep the vehicle under
control
Contact with Valeting staff may suffer ■■ All cleaning products stored in a secure, cool and dry area ■■ Investigate replacing ‘irritant’ cleaning products and Company 30/05/12 30/05/12
cleaning chemicals, skin soreness, itching, ■■ Staff are trained in safe storage, handling and use of those that can cause asthma with less hazardous secretary
eg car valeting rashes, blistering and eye products, eg only use small quantities at a time, keep lid on alternatives
damage from contact with containers, keep doors/sun roof open when working inside ■■ Remind staff to read the safety information on the Manager 04/05/12 04/05/12
chemicals. vehicles, spills procedure, etc product before use, and to follow the instructions
Some products can also ■■ Staff wear the right personal protective equipment, as
recommended by supplier (gloves and masks) as required ■■ Remind staff to report any health problems they think Manager 04/05/12 04/05/12
cause asthma.
■■ Staff instructed to dry their hands thoroughly after washing may come from cleaning, and to regularly check for
cars, and to use skin cream provided, as necessary dry, red and itchy skin on their hands
■■ Manager to appoint someone to regularly check skin Manager 04/05/12 04/05/12
on hands of valeting staff and investigate problems
Manual handling Staff risk injuries or back ■■ Staff trained in how to safely push cars, eg ensure ■■ Remind staff not to try to lift objects that appear too Manager 30/05/12 05/05/12
Moving cars, pain from handling heavy/ sufficient people available to do so etc heavy to handle
handling office bulky objects or moving ■■ Trolley used to transport boxes of paper and other heavy
equipment etc. cars. items when collecting deliveries etc
■■ High shelves for storing light items only

Example risk assessment: motor vehicle showroom 2 of 3 pages

 Health and Safety
Executive

What are the Who might be harmed What are you already doing? Do you need to do anything else to control this Action by Action by Done
hazards? and how? risk? who? when?
Computers, Staff risk posture problems ■■ Workstations are assessed, risks reduced and information ■■ Manager to ensure that any actions arising from the Manager 30/05/12 25/05/12
laptops and similar and pain, discomfort or and training are provided assessments are implemented
equipment injuries, (eg to hands/arms), ■■ Assessment reviewed upon change of user or equipment
from overuse, improper use ■■ work activities planned to include a change of activity or ■■ Remind staff to tell the company secretary if they have Manager 30/05/12 05/05/12
or from poorly designed regular breaks any pain that may be linked to computer use
workstations or work ■■ Eye tests for display screen equipment users and basic
environments. Headaches spectacles for visual display unit use (or portion of cost in
or sore eyes can also occur other cases) are paid for
if lighting is poor.
Electrical Staff could get electrical ■■ Residual current device (RCD) built into main switchboard ■■ Ask landlord when the next safety check of the Company 30/05/12 20/05/12
Heaters, fans, shocks or burns from using ■■ Before using the pressure washer, valeting staff test RCD electrical installation will be done secretary
sockets faulty electrical equipment, by use of the safety button
such as pressure washers, ■■ Staff trained in safe use of pressure washer ■■ Confirm with landlord the system for making safe any Company 30/05/12 20/05/12
or a faulty installation. ■■ Staff are told to report to office administrator any defective damage to building installation electrics, eg broken secretary
Electrical faults can also plugs, discoloured sockets or damaged cable/equipment light switches or sockets
lead to fires. ■■ Faulty equipment taken out of use promptly and replaced
Work at height Falls from any height ■■ A suitable ladder is provided for short duration, low risk ■■ No
Changing light can cause bruising and tasks
bulbs; putting up a fractures and potentially ■■ The ladder is secure and stable
display serious injuries. ■■ Staff know how to use the ladder safely
■■ Staff are aware of HSEs guidance on putting up displays
(www.hse.gov.uk/falls/display.htm)
Plate glass Staff and customers risk ■■ Safety glass used ■■ No
injury from walking into ■■ Promotional displays and other markings on showroom
plate glass windows. windows to show it is glass
Fire If trapped staff and ■■ Fire risk assessment done and any necessary action taken, ■■ Remind staff to check outside smoking area and Manager From now
Faulty electrics, customers could suffer see www.gov.uk/workplace-fire-safety-your-responsibilities. make sure all smoking materials are extinguished
arson fatal injuries from smoke uk/fire after closing
inhalation/burns. ■■ Manager to check fire exits are clear

Assessment review date: 01/05/12

Example risk assessment: motor vehicle showroom 3 of 3 pages

Published by the Health and Safety Executive 04/13