Question 1

During a toolbox talk, a junior rating raises a concern that the proposed anchor point for the harness looks corroded, but the officer in charge says the written risk assessment already approved that anchor point and the job should proceed.

What does good practice under COSWP support?

Accepted Answer

The rating's observation should be taken seriously and the work paused to inspect and reassess the anchor point before proceeding Dynamic risk assessment exists precisely to catch on-the-day conditions a written assessment could not have anticipated; any crew member's safety concern should trigger a pause and reassessment, regardless of rank.

Question 2

What does COSWP mean by a "dynamic risk assessment" in relation to a toolbox talk before height work?

Accepted Answer

An in-the-moment review confirming the existing risk assessment's hazards and controls are still relevant and understood before starting the task The toolbox talk uses the existing task-based risk assessment as its foundation, checking that nothing has changed (conditions, personnel, scope) since it was written, rather than generating a brand new assessment each time.

Question 3

If, during a dynamic risk assessment, a person does not believe the existing controls are sufficient for the conditions on the day, what should happen?

Accepted Answer

Go back to an earlier stage of the risk assessment process and reassess before continuing COSWP explicitly allows stepping back to an earlier stage of the process if the dynamic assessment raises doubt - this empowers any team member to pause work rather than push ahead on an outdated assessment.