A risk assessment considers what might cause harm and assesses how to protect both customers and employees from the identified risk occurring.  Different industries are required to provide more in-depth risk assessments depending on the nature of their business.  But, in general, a risk assessment will expect you to: Look for the hazards – things that might cause slips, trips and falls, working at height, exposure to hazardous substances, fire, explosion, high noise levels and moving vehicles. These are just a few examples. Determine who might get harmed and in what way (eg builder falling off a ladder) Consider the risks and decide if adequate provisions are in place to prevent accidents occurring, or whether additional precautions need to be put in place Record your findings Review your risk assessment policy from time to time (best practise is at least annually) and update it if necessary, especially if new hazards are introduced to the workplace.   If an organisation has 5 or more employees working at premises then they must put the risk assessment in writing. Below you shall find a few templates which can be used as a guide.  Please feel free to adapt these to reflect the risks and hazards within your own organisation. Risk Assessment Template Simple Risk Assessment Table Workplace Inspection Checklist Template

The number of people becoming homeless in Scotland is falling, with a 5% fall in homelessness applications according to figures published by Scotland’s Chief Statistician. Around 7,900 homelessness applications were received by Scottish councils between October and December 2014, five per cent lower than in the same period in 2013. In addition to the fall in applications, the number assessed as homeless, or likely to become homeless within two months, fell by one per cent to around 6,800. Where contact was maintained, four out of five individuals assessed as unintentionally homeless went on to secure settled accommodation such as council housing, housing association or private lets. Commenting on these latest statistics Mary McLuskey, CEO of CRNS said: “Since 2004 CRNS has hosted Scotland’s National Furniture Co-ordinator; a Scottish Government funded post that provides support to furniture reuse organisations across Scotland and promotes the work that they do to registered social landlords, local authorities and housing associations. “When the unintentionally homeless go into secure accommodation our research shows that providing furniture increases their tenancy sustainment. Ordinarily, 25% of all homeless tenancies fail within the first twelve months, but if furniture is provided, the failure rate drops to 14% – a staggering 44% reduction in failed tenancies. This represents a significant number of people staying in their homes beyond the first year and not falling back into the repeat homelessness cycle. “Furniture makes a difference because it turns a house into a home and gives a sense of warmth and security. CRNS warmly welcomes the reduction in people becoming homeless and will continue to work with our members, social landlords, local authorities and housing associations to benefit those in need.” Housing Minister Margaret Burgess said: “We will carry on

Scottish Parliament This week saw the Local Government and Regeneration Committee continue its consideration of amendments to the Community Empowerment Bill at Stage 2. The Community Empowerment Bill is of significant interest to the Third Sector as it is looking directly at land and asset issues including Community Right To Buy, Asset Transfers, Common Good Properties and Allotments. CRNS supports the amendments agreed this week as they strengthen the involvement of communities within local decision making. Specifically: When a community’s request to participate in improving their local area is refused by a public body they can then appeal to Scottish ministers to have the decision reviewed. Communities should also be able to appeal where they have been granted the right to participate but have significant concerns about how the process is being undertaken. The Community Empowerment Bill now continues at Stage 2. For more information on the Bill go to: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/Bills/77926.aspx   UK Government Budget In the UK Budget this week was some support for the third sector, including the increase in the small donations Gift Aid Scheme allowance and support for social investment in the third sector. Some specific details of note to the third sector: There is the need to make £30 billion of savings by 2017-18 – £12 billion of that will come from welfare savings. That continues to have implications for our sector. The National Minimum Wage is set to increase from £6.50 to £6.70 per hour. This is the start of an increase to £8.00 per hour by 2020. It was announced there will be a UK government review of Business Rates, although Business Rates are a devolved matter this review may spark conversations in Scotland on how the system

A business plan is essential for any new business, be it private or social enterprise, and turns an idea into a reality.  The business plan covers objectives, strategies, sales, marketing and financial forecasts.  A business plan is also necessary to secure investment, a loan or grant funding.  Below are a few sample templates which can be used as a starting point / guide.  These can be adapted to suit your own individual needs. Business Plan Template 1 Business Plan Template 2

April CRNS Forum Dates for your diaries: CRNS is pleased to announce the April dates of our National Forum Conversations for 2015. The Forums provide an opportunity for our repair, reuse and recycling organisations to network, get strategic updates from CRNS and engage with a speaker on a topic of interest.  Food and refreshments are provided. These events are free for CRNS members. 21st April – Aberdeen (Home Comforts, Union Square). 12.30pm to 3pm The speaker is Sophy Green, CEO, Instant Neighbour. “An overview of the work of Instant Neighbour, including the retail operation ‘Home Comforts” 22nd April – Inverness (Everything Baby). 10am to 12.30pm The speaker is Sue Bryan from The Nappy Network. “Real Nappies – Changing the World, One Nappy at a Time.” (As part of Real Nappy Week 2015) 30th April – Stirling (Cook’s of Stirling). 11am to 1pm. The speaker is Lorna Walker from SEPA’s Waste Policy Unit. “Scottish Reuse & Recycling Policy and the effects on the Third Sector” Places are limited, to book your place please contact matt@crns.org.uk today.

‘With significant investment and action by the Scottish government, remanufacturing could add £620 million to the Scottish economy with an additional 5,700 jobs created by 2020’. This is one of the key findings from the latest Remanufacturing Report published by Zero Waste Scotland Remanufacturing in Scotland accounts for £1.1billion in sales and employs around 17,000 people and is the process of restoring or extending the end of life of a product. Commenting on this latest piece of research, Mary McLuskey, CEO of CRNS said: ‘There is a definite need for efficient and cost-effective methods for returning end-of-life products back to remanufacturers, and the third sector and our membership have an essential role to play in this. ‘In general remanufacturing is poorly understood with access to end-of-life product a major barrier for remanufacturers. There is a need to educate purchasers to consider remanufactured items and of improving the reputation of remanufacturing within various sectors. CRNS welcomes the opportunity to explore options to improve remanufacturing in Scotland, including improving or incentivising core return rates, researching new collection techniques and technologies, and establishing forums for sharing best practice.’ Current major areas of remanufacturing activity in Scotland are in aerospace, automotive parts, energy, and rail. Promising areas, which with support could be significant, include ICT and medical equipment. Speaking at the Holyrood Waste Conference today, Mr Lochhead said: “Earlier this week, the First Minister launched Scotland’s Economic Strategy, which emphasises the importance of remanufacturing for a variety of existing sectors. The challenge is to ensure that we put in place the structures and support to nurture this promising activity, and help us move towards a more circular economy where we keep products and materials in high value use for as long

Practical information and advice on health, safety and wellbeing is now available to our members through an NHS funded initiative ‘Healthy Working Lives’. Healthy Working Lives (HWL) work with all kinds of businesses, charities and social enterprises, completely free of charge, to provide support in areas such as fire risk assessment, mental health and equipment and safe working practices, to name but a few.  Local advisers can provide support over the telephone or arrange a site visit at a time to suit the organisation, and there are advisers operating throughout Scotland. If you are unsure as to your legal requirements on health and safety, or do not know where to start in undertaking a risk assessment, then it would be worth contacting HWL for guidance and the supply of relevant templates.  For more information please consult the link below: Healthy Working Lives Services Overview   Image courtesy of renjith krishnan at FreeDigitalPhotos.net