Skip to main content
Some of our services have changed. Please see our services page for more details

How to carry out a risk assessment

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

​​​​​​​​​​

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

5. Review risk assessment regularly

​You must regularly review your risk assessments to make sure that they are still valid. It is recommended that you review them at least once a year. You should also review them before changes to the following take place

  • equipment
  • materials
  • people
  • premises
  • processes.

It is important to review your risk assessment after an accident or near miss. This can help prevent them happening again.​

​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​​

Previous4. Record and share key findings of risk assessment
Healthy Working Lives logo

Contact us

For information on workplace health, safety and wellbeing, contact your local health board team

Follow us

© Public Health Scotland - Healthy Working Lives