Risk assessment
A risk assessment identifies hazards, judges risk, and records sensible controls.
In plain English
A risk assessment is a structured look at what could cause harm in your work, how likely and how serious that harm is, and what you will do to prevent it. It should be proportionate—not paperwork for its own sake.
Typical steps
Identify hazards, decide who might be harmed, evaluate risk, record significant findings, implement controls, and review after changes or incidents.
Common mistakes
Copying a generic template without thinking, assessing once and never reviewing, or listing controls that nobody follows on the ground.
Related training
See our risk assessment courses for practical methods you can apply at work.
Related courses
- Advanced Risk Assessment and Implementation Techniques for Ensuring Workplace Safety and Compliance
- Effective Risk Assessment and Implementation: A Comprehensive Guide to Workplace Safety
- Health and Safety in Korean Beauty: Regulatory Compliance and Risk Management
- Health and Safety Planning for the Republican National Convention: Risk Management and Mitigation Strategies
- Implementing Risk Assessment and Management: A Training Course for Occupational Health and Safety
- Manual Handling and Ergonomics in the Workplace: Risk Assessment and Injury Prevention Strategies
Reviewed by the Health Safety Courses editorial team. Independent workplace training — see FAQs.