Healthcare Health & Safety Risk Assessments
Healthcare-Specific Risk Assessments - HIQA Compliant - Section 19 SHWW Act - Qualified Consultants - PI Insured
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Our qualified healthcare consultants carry out risk assessments that meet Section 19.
Healthcare-Specific Risk Assessments for Irish Nursing Homes
Section 19 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 requires every employer to identify hazards, assess risks and prepare a written risk assessment. In plain terms: you must find what could cause harm in your home, judge how serious it is and write it down. For nursing homes and designated centres, that duty covers every healthcare hazard. It includes manual handling of residents, infection control, medication management, slips, trips and falls, and behaviour that challenges. Phoenix STS delivers bespoke, HIQA-aligned risk assessments carried out by CMIOSH-qualified consultants who understand residential care. We go beyond generic templates. Each assessment reflects your layout, staffing, resident profile and daily routines. The work supports compliance with the General Application Regulations 2007 and HIQA's National Standards for Residential Care Settings.
Why Healthcare Risk Assessments Matter
Legal Requirement (Section 19)
Section 19 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 places a duty on every employer to identify hazards, assess the risks and prepare a written risk assessment. If you do not, the Health and Safety Authority can serve improvement or prohibition notices, or prosecute.
HIQA Expectations
HIQA inspectors examine risk assessment records when they inspect designated centres under the Health Act 2007. The National Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People require a documented process that finds, evaluates and controls hazards to residents and staff. In short: weak risk assessment paperwork shows up at inspection.
Resident Safety
Residents may have reduced mobility, dementia or complex medical needs. A thorough risk assessment finds the hazards that could harm them: falls, medication errors, infection and gaps in supervision. You can then put targeted preventive measures in place.
Staff Protection
Care work carries real occupational risks. Staff face manual handling injuries, biological agents, needlestick injuries and workplace violence. Risk assessments under the General Application Regulations 2007 identify these hazards and set controls that protect staff.
Hazard Identification
We examine every area, activity and process in the facility using a structured method. We review incident records, inspect the workplace and talk to staff. We then apply the hierarchy of controls so hazards are removed or reduced so far as is reasonably practicable.
Insurance Compliance
Insurers increasingly require current, documented risk assessments as a condition of cover. A complete assessment shows you manage risk well. That can help your premium and keeps your cover free of exclusions.
What We Assess
Full range of hazards in nursing homes.
Manual Handling and Patient Moving
We assess every manual handling task in your home: resident transfers, repositioning in bed, assisted bathing, and the use of hoists and slide sheets. We look at staffing levels, equipment and resident mobility. The assessment meets Chapter 4 of the General Application Regulations 2007, which covers the manual handling of loads.
Slip, Trip, and Fall Hazards
We evaluate floor surfaces, lighting, handrails, thresholds, outdoor paths and housekeeping. We also assess fall prevention for residents with dementia or poor mobility. That includes bed rail risk assessments, sensor mats and low-profile beds.
Biological and Chemical Hazards
We assess infection prevention and control: hand hygiene, sharps, laundry, clinical waste and protective equipment. Chemical assessments cover cleaning agents, disinfectants and medication storage. The work follows the Chemical Agents Regulations 2001, the rules for hazardous substances at work.
Workplace Violence and Aggression
We assess the risks from behaviour that challenges, including verbal aggression, physical assault and wandering. We review de-escalation steps, staffing, environmental design and incident reporting. Our approach follows HSA guidance on violence in the healthcare sector.
Fire and Emergency Risks
We review fire detection and alarms, emergency lighting, escape routes, compartmentation and staff training. This complements a dedicated fire risk assessment under the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003, which place the duty for fire safety on the person in control of the premises. It also aligns with Regulation 28 of the 2013 Care and Welfare Regulations, the fire precautions rule HIQA inspects against.
Manual Handling and Patient Moving
We assess every manual handling task in your home: resident transfers, repositioning in bed, assisted bathing, and the use of hoists and slide sheets. We look at staffing levels, equipment and resident mobility. The assessment meets Chapter 4 of the General Application Regulations 2007, which covers the manual handling of loads.
Slip, Trip, and Fall Hazards
We evaluate floor surfaces, lighting, handrails, thresholds, outdoor paths and housekeeping. We also assess fall prevention for residents with dementia or poor mobility. That includes bed rail risk assessments, sensor mats and low-profile beds.
Biological and Chemical Hazards
We assess infection prevention and control: hand hygiene, sharps, laundry, clinical waste and protective equipment. Chemical assessments cover cleaning agents, disinfectants and medication storage. The work follows the Chemical Agents Regulations 2001, the rules for hazardous substances at work.
Workplace Violence and Aggression
We assess the risks from behaviour that challenges, including verbal aggression, physical assault and wandering. We review de-escalation steps, staffing, environmental design and incident reporting. Our approach follows HSA guidance on violence in the healthcare sector.
Fire and Emergency Risks
We review fire detection and alarms, emergency lighting, escape routes, compartmentation and staff training. This complements a dedicated fire risk assessment under the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003, which place the duty for fire safety on the person in control of the premises. It also aligns with Regulation 28 of the 2013 Care and Welfare Regulations, the fire precautions rule HIQA inspects against.
What We Deliver
Comprehensive Risk Assessment Reports
Each report analyses the hazards found, rates each risk with a structured matrix and ranks the control measures using the hierarchy of controls. Reports are formatted for easy use at HIQA inspections and HSA audits. Every action has an owner and a target date.
Hazard Registers
A structured register of every hazard: its location, who is at risk, current controls, residual risk rating and recommended actions. Your safety officer can keep it live as hazards change or controls improve.
Control Measure Recommendations
Practical, proportionate recommendations ranked by risk level. We apply the hierarchy of controls: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative measures, then protective equipment. Guidance includes likely costs and timeframes where useful.
Safety Statements
Bespoke safety statements prepared under Section 20 of the 2005 Act. Each one reflects your hazards, structure and procedures, and ties in your risk assessment findings.
H&S Policies
Full policy suites covering manual handling, infection control, lone working, violence, chemical safety and any other hazard the assessment finds. Policies align with HIQA standards and the General Application Regulations 2007.
H&S Consultancy
Year-round access to CMIOSH-qualified consultants. We advise on compliance, investigate incidents, update policies and prepare you for HIQA inspections and HSA audits.
Healthcare Facilities We Serve
Nursing Homes
Full risk assessments for private and voluntary nursing homes registered with HIQA under the Health Act 2007. We cover care areas, kitchens, laundries and outdoor spaces.
Hospitals
Risk assessment services for public and private hospitals. We handle the complex hazards of acute care, including theatres, emergency departments and specialist wards.
Disability Services
Specialist assessments for residential and day services for people with intellectual or physical disabilities. We cover hazards such as sensory room equipment, hydrotherapy and individual care needs.
Mental Health
Risk assessments for approved centres and community mental health facilities. We pay particular attention to ligature risks, self-harm prevention, observation protocols and secure environments.
Respite Care
Assessments for respite facilities. We address changing resident groups, short-stay admissions and fast hazard communication to temporary care staff.
Day Care
Full assessments for day care centres. We cover activity areas, transport, kitchens and the needs of attendees who return home each evening.
Hospices
Sensitive assessments for hospice settings. We balance safety with a homelike, dignified environment for residents receiving palliative and end-of-life care.
Designated Centres
HIQA-aligned assessments for every category of designated centre under the Health Act 2007. They support the National Standards and inspection readiness.
Our Process
Five-step approach to healthcare risk assessments.
Consultation
We start with a detailed conversation about your facility: size, resident profile, staffing, existing safety documents and any recent incidents. This keeps the assessment targeted and efficient.
Site Assessment
Our CMIOSH-qualified consultants inspect every area of your facility. We observe work in practice, review documents and talk to staff at all levels. We identify hazards and test how well current controls work.
Risk Evaluation
We rate each hazard with a structured risk matrix. The matrix weighs how likely harm is and how severe it could be. The result is a ranked list that puts the biggest risks first.
Control Measures
We develop practical, proportionate controls for each risk, applying the hierarchy of controls required by Section 19 of the 2005 Act. Every recommendation is specific to your facility and comes with clear implementation guidance.
Report Delivery and Review
We deliver a detailed report and meet your management team to discuss it. Together we agree an implementation plan with owners and target dates.
Consultation
We start with a detailed conversation about your facility: size, resident profile, staffing, existing safety documents and any recent incidents. This keeps the assessment targeted and efficient.
Site Assessment
Our CMIOSH-qualified consultants inspect every area of your facility. We observe work in practice, review documents and talk to staff at all levels. We identify hazards and test how well current controls work.
Risk Evaluation
We rate each hazard with a structured risk matrix. The matrix weighs how likely harm is and how severe it could be. The result is a ranked list that puts the biggest risks first.
Control Measures
We develop practical, proportionate controls for each risk, applying the hierarchy of controls required by Section 19 of the 2005 Act. Every recommendation is specific to your facility and comes with clear implementation guidance.
Report Delivery and Review
We deliver a detailed report and meet your management team to discuss it. Together we agree an implementation plan with owners and target dates.
Legislative Framework
Several laws govern healthcare risk assessment. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 sets the duty to assess risks. The General Application Regulations 2007 add detailed rules for specific hazards. The Health Act 2007 and HIQA's National Standards apply to designated centres. In plain terms: each assessment we deliver maps back to a legal duty you already hold.
Why Choose Phoenix STS
HIQA Specialists
Around 60-65% of our clients are in the healthcare sector. We have prepared and supported clients through many HIQA inspections. We know what inspectors look for, and we make sure your records meet the standard.
BEng Engineers
Our team includes BEng Fire Engineering qualified professionals. They bring an engineering-led approach, so fire-related hazards are assessed to a high professional standard.
CPD Provider
Phoenix STS is an approved CPD Standards Office training provider. Our accredited health and safety and fire safety courses complement the assessment and build staff skills.
25+ Years
Phoenix STS has over 25 years of experience and around 290 clients across Ireland. We know Irish safety regulation, and we have a proven record of helping healthcare facilities stay compliant.
Nationwide
We assess healthcare facilities in all 26 counties from our offices in Longford, Sligo and Dublin. No facility is too remote for our consultants to reach.
PI Insured
Professional indemnity insurance covers all our professional services. Our work carries financial protection behind it.
Nationwide Healthcare Risk Assessment Services
Phoenix STS provides healthcare risk assessments across all 26 counties of Ireland.
Outside healthcare? See our health and safety risk assessments service for every other workplace.
Related Healthcare Services
Healthcare Risk Assessment FAQs
Common questions about healthcare risk assessments.
Section 19 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 requires every employer to identify workplace hazards, assess the risks and prepare a written risk assessment. The document must say how you will manage each risk. Review it regularly, especially after a workplace change, accident or dangerous occurrence. In short: it is the legal foundation of your safety system.
Review risk assessments at least once a year. Review sooner when the workplace changes: a new extension, a different resident profile or new equipment. Review after any accident, dangerous occurrence or near miss too. The HSA recommends documenting and dating each review.
Nursing homes carry a distinct mix of hazards. These include manual handling of residents, biological hazards from bodily fluids, medication storage and administration, behaviour linked to dementia, and slips, trips and falls. Fire risk is also higher because residents sleep on site and many need help to evacuate.
Yes. We assess every manual handling activity in detail: transfers, repositioning, assisted bathing and mechanical aids such as hoists and slide sheets. The assessment follows Chapter 4 of the General Application Regulations 2007 and considers staffing, training records and resident mobility.
Biological hazards are a key focus of our healthcare assessments. We evaluate infection prevention and control, hand hygiene, sharps management, laundry handling, clinical waste and protective equipment. Our assessment references the HSA's Biological Agents Code of Practice.
We use a structured risk matrix with two factors: how likely the hazard is to cause harm, and how severe that harm could be. Each hazard gets a rating of low, medium, high or critical. Resources then go to the biggest risks first.
Yes. We provide detailed, practical control measures for every hazard, applying the hierarchy of controls required under the 2005 Act. Each recommendation names a responsible person, sets a target date and includes clear implementation guidance. Measures match the level of risk and your facility's operations.
Keep the written risk assessment, hazard register, safety statement, incident and accident reports, near-miss records, staff training records, equipment maintenance logs and evidence of safety reviews. These records prove compliance at HIQA inspections and HSA audits.
Yes. We assess every type of healthcare facility across Ireland. That includes nursing homes, hospitals, disability services, mental health centres, respite care, day care and hospices. We also cover all designated centres registered with HIQA under the Health Act 2007.
HIQA's National Standards for Residential Care Settings require a documented risk management process in every designated centre. That means an up-to-date risk register, regular risk assessments, documented controls and clear governance. Inspectors review these documents at every inspection, announced or unannounced.
The site assessment usually takes a half-day to a full day, depending on the size and complexity of your facility. The written report arrives within two weeks of the visit. We then meet your management team to agree an implementation plan.
Everything. We assess bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms, communal living and dining areas, kitchens, laundries and sluice rooms. We also cover offices, storage, plant rooms, corridors, stairwells and all outdoor spaces, including gardens, car parks and paths.
Protect Your Residents and Staff with Healthcare Risk Assessments
Ensure your facility meets its legal obligations. Contact Phoenix STS today.