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Risk Assessment Template

A free risk assessment template for construction projects. Systematic hazard identification with likelihood/severity scoring and hierarchy of controls.

What is a Risk Assessment Template?

A risk assessment is a systematic process of identifying hazards, evaluating the risks they present, and determining appropriate control measures. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, every employer must carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments for all work activities. In construction, risk assessments are fundamental to CDM 2015 compliance and are typically paired with method statements to form RAMS.

Key Sections to Include

1. Activity/Task Description - What work is being assessed and where. 2. Hazard Identification - Systematic identification of all hazards (physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, psychological). 3. Who is at Risk - Workers, visitors, public, neighbouring properties. 4. Existing Controls - What is already in place to manage the risk. 5. Risk Rating (Before Controls) - Likelihood x Severity = Risk Score. 6. Additional Controls Required - Following the hierarchy: eliminate, substitute, engineering, administrative, PPE. 7. Residual Risk Rating (After Controls) - The remaining risk level after all controls are applied. 8. Review Date and Responsible Person.

Free Template

RISK ASSESSMENT

Document Ref: [RA-XXX-001]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
Assessor: [Name and Qualifications]
Review Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Project: [Project Name]
Activity: [Description of Activity]
Location: [Site Location/Area]

RISK MATRIX
Likelihood: 1=Very Unlikely, 2=Unlikely, 3=Possible, 4=Likely, 5=Almost Certain
Severity: 1=Insignificant, 2=Minor Injury, 3=Major Injury, 4=Disability, 5=Fatal
Risk = Likelihood x Severity

| # | Hazard | Who at Risk | Existing Controls | L | S | Risk | Additional Controls (Hierarchy) | L | S | Residual Risk |
|---|--------|-------------|-------------------|---|---|------|---------------------------------|---|---|---------------|
| 1 | [Hazard] | [Persons] | [Existing controls] | [1-5] | [1-5] | [Score] | [Eliminate/Substitute/Engineer/Admin/PPE] | [1-5] | [1-5] | [Score] |
| 2 | [Hazard] | [Persons] | [Existing controls] | [1-5] | [1-5] | [Score] | [Controls] | [1-5] | [1-5] | [Score] |
| 3 | [Hazard] | [Persons] | [Existing controls] | [1-5] | [1-5] | [Score] | [Controls] | [1-5] | [1-5] | [Score] |
| 4 | [Hazard] | [Persons] | [Existing controls] | [1-5] | [1-5] | [Score] | [Controls] | [1-5] | [1-5] | [Score] |
| 5 | [Hazard] | [Persons] | [Existing controls] | [1-5] | [1-5] | [Score] | [Controls] | [1-5] | [1-5] | [Score] |

ACTION REQUIRED FOR HIGH/VERY HIGH RESIDUAL RISKS:
[Detail any risks that remain high after controls and what further action is needed]

ASSESSMENT SIGN-OFF
Assessed by: _________________ Date: _________
Reviewed by: _________________ Date: _________
Next Review: [DD/MM/YYYY] or when conditions change

When Do You Need This?

Before starting any work activity. When conditions change. After an incident or near-miss. At regular review intervals (typically annually or when the work environment changes). When new hazards are introduced.

Who Uses This Template?

Site Managers, Health and Safety Managers, Subcontractor Supervisors, Project Managers. Anyone with responsibility for managing work activities must ensure suitable risk assessments are in place.

Generate This with AI

AI can help identify hazards you might miss and suggest appropriate control measures following the hierarchy of controls. Describe the activity in detail and the AI will generate a comprehensive risk assessment. Always validate the hazard list and risk scores against your actual site conditions.

Template Details

Cost
Free
Format
Copy-paste ready
Industry
Construction

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