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How to carry out a risk assessment

What's involved and a form to complete your own with

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A risk assessment is a systematic method of looking at work activities, considering what could go wrong, and deciding on suitable control measures. These control measures are designed to eliminate, reduce or minimize the risks of loss, damage or injury in the workplace.

It is a legal requirement for all organisations to carry out a risk assessment. If you have five or more employees you must also keep a written record of it.

Use the links below to find information on the steps you should take when performing a risk assessment in your organisation.

  1. Identify hazards in risk assessment
  2. Establish who might be harmed and how in risk assessment
  3. Evaluate and decide on precautions in risk assessment
  4. Record and share key findings of risk assessment
  5. Review risk assessment regularly

2. Establish who might be harmed and how in risk assessment

Once you have identified potential hazards, you then need to establish who might be harmed and how.

You don't need to list everyone by name. Identifying groups of people is enough, such as

  • employees
  • customers
  • visitors
  • contractors
  • any other person that could be affected by your activities.

Remember that special consideration should be given to people who could be vulnerable, and for this reason more at risk of injury or ill health. This includes

  • new and expectant mothers
  • agency and temporary workers
  • new workers and young people
  • migrant workers
  • lone workers
  • people with disabilities and long term health conditions.​​

​Carry out a risk assessment

​Once you are familiar with all the steps explained in this guide, you can carry out a risk assessment using our form.

​Use our risk assessment form​