A Health and Safety Risk Assessment is the practical first step to a safer workplace in the UK. It is simply the process of looking at what could cause harm, deciding who might be hurt and putting sensible controls in place.
This guide walks through the five steps of risk assessment, shows how to record it and explains how training fits in once you know your risks.
What a risk assessment is
A risk assessment is a careful look at what in your work could cause harm to people, so you can decide whether you are doing enough to prevent it. It is not about creating piles of paperwork - it is about identifying sensible measures to control the real risks.
The five steps of risk assessment
- Identify the hazards - what could cause harm? See hazard awareness for help.
- Decide who might be harmed and how.
- Evaluate the risks and decide on control measures.
- Record your findings and put the controls in place.
- Review the assessment and update it when things change.
Common control measures
Controls reduce either the chance of harm or its severity. Typical examples include safer equipment, better procedures, PPE, clear signage and - importantly - training so people know how to work safely.
How training follows the assessment
Once you know your hazards, training becomes obvious: provide the courses that address the risks you found. A warehouse with lifting tasks needs manual handling; a site with height work needs working at height. Browse all options on our courses page.
Frequently asked questions
What are the five steps of a risk assessment?
Identify hazards; decide who might be harmed; evaluate the risks and decide controls; record your findings; and review the assessment regularly.
Do small businesses need risk assessments?
Yes. Assessing and controlling risk applies to businesses of all sizes, though the assessment should be proportionate to the risks.
How often should a risk assessment be reviewed?
Review it regularly and whenever there is a significant change, such as new equipment, tasks or an incident.
How does a risk assessment relate to training?
It tells you which hazards exist, so you can provide the training that addresses those specific risks.
Match training to your real risks
Once you know your hazards, certify your team with the courses that address them - online and at their own pace.
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