Risk Assessment

A method of controlling risk in the workplace. It involves identifying hazards, the risks involved and taking reasonable steps to reduce potential harm being caused. A risk assessment must be ‘suitable and sufficient’ if it is to comply with the law.

Five-steps to risk assessment (INDG163.pdf) provide the standard approach to risk assessment for many years as follows:

1. Identify the hazard/s: review your own accident and ill-health records; check manufacturers and suppliers’ data sheets.

2. Decide who might be harmed and how: Employees? Young people? Temporary workers? Visitors? Bystanders? Expectant mothers? People with disabilities – physical and/or learning? Other people?

3. Evaluate the risks and decide on necessary precautions to be taken: What is the level of risk? How might you eliminate it or reduce it? Involve employees in your decision-making process.

4. Record your significant findings: What are the hazards? Who might be harmed? What controls you have implemented?

5. Review your assessment and update it if necessary: Especially if any changes to working practices, or different equipment or materials are used. Have issues been identified by others requiring you to carry out a review? Periodically review all risk assessments to ensure they are still current, typically every year.

However, this has been slightly amended by the HSE to be as follows:
Steps needed to manage risk
1. Identify hazards.
2. Assess the risks.
3. Control the risks.
4. Record your findings.
5. Review the controls.

(accessed 15th November 2025)