Risk Assessments

Risk assessments ensure all hazards in the workplace are identified and all risks are controlled. This ensures that your health and safety is protected in the workplace and accidents/incidents are kept to a minimum. This is a legal duty under the HSWA 1974 and the more specific requirements of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Who should undertake a Risk Assessment?

You can only undertake a Risk Assessment if you have been trained.  Managers and others with responsibility for health and safety usually undertake Risk Assessments.

Important: If you see any hazards in the workplace that are of concern, please ensure that you report these to your manager immediately.

When do you need to complete a Risk Assessment?

As part of managing health and safety the risks in your workplace need to be controlled.  To do this you need to think about what might cause harm to people and decide whether you are taking reasonable steps to prevent that harm. The steps can be seen below.

5 Steps to Risk Assessment:

1. Look for the hazards
2. Decide who may be harmed and how
3. Evaluate the risks 
4. Record findings
5. Review and revise as necessary

Risk Assessment template

• Risk Assessment Template (.doc)