In recent years Mayer Brown have seen an increase in the number of Safety Risk Assessments (SRA) being requested by Approving Authorities, most notably, but not limited to, National Highways.
Not to be confused with the commonplace Road Safety Audit (RSA) process, the Safety Risk Assessment, carried out in accordance with Highway Standard GG104, is an assessment of any “activity” that can have an impact on safety risk for any “population” using the highway network.
The most common “activity” that we are asked to assess is design of changes to the existing highway network. These changes can take many forms; provision or alteration of pedestrian crossing facilities; changes that affect cycle routes; amendments to existing junctions, to name just a few examples.
The definition of “population” impacted by an “activity” includes pedestrians and drivers using the network, operatives working on (maintaining) the network, and others who may not be using but could be affected by changes to the network, such as adjacent residents.
Safety Risk Assessment Planning Process
The assessment planning process requires determination of the activities “category” from criteria set-out in GG104; identification of all affect “populations”; writing the “scope” of the assessment then setting the “safety baselines and assessment objective”.
The assessment process itself requires that hazards are identified and analysed; that the safety risk of each hazard is analysed and evaluated, then mitigation is proposed where necessary.
Safety Risk Assessment Evaluation
Similar to a typical project risk assessment, the evaluation of a safety risk is carried out using a matrix where values for Likelihood multiplied by Severity equal Risk.
Dependant on the activities’ resultant level of risk, control measures (mitigation) are proposed and logged, or the activity is classified as not-permitted and to be avoided.
If you wish to discuss the SRA process or anything else design or safety related, please do not hesitate to contact our experienced team who will be happy to provide advice.
Get in touch: soverton@mayerbrown.co.uk
