• The question of practicability must take into account the severity of the risk in question,
knowledge about the risk and ways to remove or reduce it, the availability and suitability
of ways as well as costs to remove or reduce it. The level of knowledge that is to be
expected of the employer and self employed person has to be reasonable. The cost must
commensurate with the expense and inconveniences which may be caused in the process
of placing the safeguards in place and measured against the consequences of failing to do
so. Common practice and knowledge throughout the industry is to be taken into account
when making any judgment of whether a safeguard is ‘practicable’. Further guidance
on ‘practicable’ standards and ways to achieve them can be obtained from applicable
regulations, approved industry codes of practice and guidelines relevant to the particular
work or industry.