A risk assessment template is a tool used to identify and evaluate potential risks or hazards associated with a specific task, project, or activity. It is used to help organizations or individuals systematically analyze and assess potential risks, determine the likelihood and impact of those risks, and develop strategies to mitigate or manage them. A risk assessment template can be tailored to suit the needs of the organization or project and typically includes a risk matrix or risk register, which outlines the likelihood and impact of each identified risk. By using a risk assessment template, organizations can ensure that potential risks are identified and managed effectively, thereby reducing the likelihood of negative consequences and ensuring the success of their projects or activities.

How do you write a risk assessment?

Writing a risk assessment involves several steps. Here’s a general process to follow:

• Identity hazards: Identify potential hazards or risks associated with the task, project, or activity. This can be done by conducting a site inspection or reviewing past incident reports.
• Assess risks: Once hazards have been identified, assess the level of risk associated with each hazard. Determine the likelihood of the hazard occurring and the potential impact it could have on the project or activity.
• Evaluate existing controls: Review existing controls that may already be in place to mitigate the risk associated with the identified hazards. Determine if these controls are adequate or if additional controls are necessary.
• Develop risk management strategies: Develop strategies to manage the risks associated with the identified hazards. This may include implementing new controls, modifying existing controls, or accepting the risk.
• Document the assessment: Document the findings of the risk assessment, including the hazards identified, the level of risk associated with each hazard, and the risk management strategies that will be implemented.
• Review and update regularly: Regularly review and update the risk assessment to ensure that it remains relevant and effective.

When writing a risk assessment, it’s important to be thorough and detailed, as this will help ensure that all potential hazards are identified and managed effectively.

Risk assessment template

Here is an example of a Risk Assessment Template:

Task/Activity/Process

Describe the task, activity, or process to be assessed for risk.

Potential Hazards

• Identify the potential hazards associated with the task, activity or process.
• List the hazards in the left-hand column of the table.

Risk Assessment

• Assess the likelihood and severity of each hazard.
• List the likelihood and severity in the appropriate columns of the table.
• Use a numerical rating scale (e.g. 1-5) for likelihood and severity.
• Multiply the likelihood and severity scores to determine the overall risk rating (e.g. low, medium, high).

Existing Controls

• Identify the controls that are already in place to eliminate or reduce the risk associated with each hazard.
• List the controls in the appropriate column of the table.

Additional Controls

• Identify additional controls that are needed to further eliminate or reduce the risk associated with each hazard.
• List the controls in the appropriate column of the table.
• Assign responsibility for implementing the controls.
• Establish a timeframe for implementing the controls.

Review and Revision

• Review the risk assessment regularly.
• Revise the assessment as necessary to ensure that new hazards are identified and controls are effective.

Hazard Identification

• Identify the potential hazards associated with the task, activity or process.
• List the hazards in the left-hand column of the table.

Risk Assessment

• Assess the likelihood and severity of each hazard.
• List the likelihood and severity in the appropriate columns of the table.
• Use a numerical rating scale (e.g. 1-5) for likelihood and severity.
• Multiply the likelihood and severity scores to determine the overall risk rating (e.g. low, medium, high).
• Identify the person responsible for assessing and managing the risk.

Control Measures

• Identify the control measures that are already in place to eliminate or reduce the risk associated with each hazard.
• List the controls in the appropriate column of the table.
• Assess the effectiveness of each control measure.
• Identify any additional control measures that are needed to further eliminate or reduce the risk associated with each hazard.
• List the controls in the appropriate column of the table.
• Assign responsibility for implementing the controls.
• Establish a timeframe for implementing the controls.

Review and Revision

• Review the risk assessment regularly.
• Revise the assessment as necessary to ensure that new hazards are identified and controls are effective.

Example of a risk assessment

Here’s an example of a risk assessment for a construction site:

Hazard Identification:

• Fall hazards from working at heights, including from scaffolding, ladders, and roofs
• Electrical hazards from overhead power lines, underground cables, and electrical equipment
• Struck-by hazards from moving vehicles and equipment, falling objects, and flying debris
• Caught-in/between hazards from trenching and excavation work, confined spaces, and equipment operation

Risk Analysis:

• Fall hazards: High-risk
• Electrical hazards: Moderate risk
• Struck-by hazards: Moderate risk
• Caught-in/between hazards: High-risk

Risk Evaluation:

• Fall hazards: Guardrails and personal fall arrest systems are in place, but employees may not be properly trained or using them correctly.
• Electrical hazards: Employees are trained on electrical safety, but may not always follow procedures or may not be aware of all hazards.
• Struck-by hazards: Barriers and signage are in place to warn of vehicle and equipment traffic, but employees may not always follow procedures or may not be aware of all hazards.
• Caught-in/between hazards: Trenches and excavations are properly shored and employees are trained on excavation safety, but there is a lack of awareness about the hazards of confined spaces.

Risk Management:

• Fall hazards: Implement additional employee training and increase the frequency of inspections to ensure proper use of fall protection systems.
• Electrical hazards: Provide additional employee training on electrical safety and make sure all employees are aware of the location of overhead power lines and underground cables.
• Struck-by hazards: Increase employee awareness of vehicle and equipment traffic hazards through additional training and periodic reminders.
• Caught-in/between hazards: Develop a confined space entry program and increase employee awareness of the hazards of confined spaces.

Documentation:

All aspects of the risk assessment, including identified hazards, risk analysis, existing controls, and risk management strategies are documented and regularly reviewed and updated as needed

This is just an example, and risk assessments should be tailored to the specific workplace and tasks being performed. It’s important to involve employees in the risk assessment process and to regularly review and update the assessment to ensure that risks are being effectively managed.

5 parts of a risk assessment

A risk assessment typically consists of five parts, which are:

Hazard Identification: 

This involves identifying potential hazards or risks that could cause harm or damage to people, property, or the environment. Hazards can be physical, chemical, biological, or psychological in nature.

Risk Analysis: 

Once hazards have been identified, the next step is to analyze the level of risk associated with each hazard. This involves determining the likelihood of the hazard occurring and the potential impact it could have on the project or activity.

Risk Evaluation: 

The risk evaluation step involves evaluating the existing controls that are in place to mitigate the risks associated with the identified hazards. This includes assessing whether the controls are adequate or if additional controls are needed.

Risk Management: 

Based on the risk analysis and evaluation, risk management strategies are developed to manage the identified risks. These strategies may include implementing new controls, modifying existing controls, or accepting the risk.

Documentation: 

Finally, the risk assessment should be documented, including the hazards identified, the level of risk associated with each hazard, and the risk management strategies that will be implemented. This documentation serves as a reference for future risk assessments and helps ensure that risks are managed consistently and effectively over time.

What are the 4 C’s risk assessment?

The 4 C’s of risk assessment are:

Context: 

The context of the risk assessment refers to the scope and purpose of the assessment. This includes understanding the project, activity or system being assessed, the objectives of the assessment, and the stakeholders involved.

Criteria: 

The criteria of the risk assessment refers to the standards or benchmarks against which risks are evaluated. This includes defining the level of risk that is acceptable, identifying the risk tolerance of stakeholders, and any legal or regulatory requirements that must be met.

Consequences: 

The consequences of the risk assessment refer to the potential impacts that may result from identified risks. This includes assessing the likelihood of harm occurring, the severity of harm that may result, and the potential consequences for the project, organization, or stakeholders.

Controls: 

The controls of the risk assessment refer to the measures that can be put in place to mitigate or manage identified risks. This includes identifying existing controls, evaluating their effectiveness, and developing new controls as necessary.

The 4 C’s provide a framework for conducting a comprehensive risk assessment, ensuring that all aspects of the assessment are considered and that risks are managed effectively.

Risk assessment in the workplace

Here’s an example of how to write a risk assessment in the workplace:

• Task: Using a ladder to access equipment on high shelves 
• Hazard Identification: The potential hazards associated with this task include falling from a height, slipping on the ladder, and injury from falling objects.
• Risk Analysis: The level of risk associated with each hazard is assessed as follows:
• Falling from a height: This is a high-risk hazard as it could result in serious injury or even death.
• Slipping on the ladder: This is a moderate-risk hazard as it could result in minor to moderate injuries.
• Injury from falling objects: This is a low-risk hazard as there is little chance of objects falling from the shelves.
• Risk Evaluation: The existing controls that are in place to mitigate the risks associated with this task are evaluated as follows:
• Ladder inspection: Ladders are inspected regularly to ensure they are in good condition and free from defects.
• Employee training: Employees are trained on how to safely use ladders, including how to set them up and climb them safely.
• Personal protective equipment: Employees are required to wear appropriate footwear with slip-resistant soles.
• Risk Management: Based on the risk analysis and evaluation, the following risk management strategies are developed:
• Replace old or damaged ladders with new ones that meet safety standards.
• Provide additional employee training on ladder safety, including how to safely access equipment on high shelves.
• Consider installing guardrails or other physical barriers to prevent falls from heights.
• Documentation: The risk assessment findings are documented, including the identified hazards, risk analysis, existing controls, and risk management strategies. The assessment is reviewed annually or as needed, and updated if any changes are made to the task or the workplace.

This is just an example and risk assessments should be tailored to the specific workplace and tasks being performed. It’s important to involve employees in the risk assessment process and to regularly review and update the assessment to ensure that risks are being effectively managed.

How to do a risk assessment?

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do a risk assessment:

• Identify Hazards: The first step in a risk assessment is to identify potential hazards. This may involve observing work processes, reviewing incident reports, and consulting with employees.
• Determine Who Might Be Harmed: Once hazards have been identified, the next step is to determine who might be harmed and how. This may include employees, customers, or members of the public.
• Evaluate the Risks: The likelihood and severity of harm must be evaluated for each identified hazard. This can be done by using a risk matrix, which helps determine the level of risk associated with each hazard.
• Identify Controls: After evaluating the risks, controls can be identified and implemented to reduce or eliminate the risk. This may include administrative controls (such as policies and procedures), engineering controls (such as physical barriers or ventilation systems), or personal protective equipment (such as gloves or safety glasses).
• Review and Update: The risk assessment should be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure that controls are effective and new hazards are identified as they arise. It’s important to involve employees in the process and to encourage them to report any hazards or concerns.
• Record Keeping: Documentation of the risk assessment should be kept on file for future reference, audits, or in case of an incident.

Risk assessment matrix

A risk assessment matrix is a tool used to evaluate the likelihood and severity of potential risks in a given situation or activity. It typically consists of a two-dimensional grid with likelihood and severity scales, with the resulting combination of the two factors used to assign a risk level to each identified hazard.

Here’s an example of a risk assessment matrix:

 

Likelihood	Severity	Risk Level
1	1	Low
2	1	Low
3	1	Medium
1	2	Low
2	2	Medium
3	2	High
1	3	Low
2	3	High
3	3	High

In this example, likelihood and severity are rated on a scale of 1-3, with 1 representing a low likelihood or severity and 3 representing a high likelihood or severity. The resulting risk level is then assigned based on the combination of the two ratings, with low risk levels indicating a lower likelihood of harm and high risk levels indicating a higher likelihood of harm. This matrix can be used to prioritize hazards based on their level of risk, and to determine appropriate risk management strategies for each identified hazard.

Risk assessment pdf

there are many resources available online where you can find risk assessment templates in PDF format. Here are a few options you might find helpful:

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Risk Assessment Template:

The HSE is a UK-based organization that provides resources and guidance on health and safety in the workplace. They offer a free, downloadable risk assessment template in PDF format on their website:

https://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/assessment-template.pdf

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Risk Assessment Guide:

OSHA is a US-based government agency that provides resources and guidance on workplace safety. They offer a comprehensive guide on risk assessment, which includes templates and examples, in PDF format: https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha3071.pdf

European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA) Risk Assessment Tool:

EU-OSHA is an agency of the European Union that provides resources and guidance on workplace safety. They offer a free, online risk assessment tool that can be used to assess and manage risks in the workplace. While it is not in PDF format, it may still be a useful resource: https://osha.europa.eu/en/tools-and-publications/risks-osh-online-assessment-tool

United States Department of Labor (DOL) Risk Assessment Guide:

The DOL is a US-based government agency that provides resources and guidance on labor and employment issues. They offer a free guide on risk assessment, which includes templates and examples, in PDF format:

https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/OPA/OASP/RiskAssessmentProcess.pdf

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Risk Management Standard:

ISO is an international organization that develops and publishes standards for various industries. They offer a risk management standard, ISO 31000, which includes guidance on risk assessment. While it is not in PDF format, it may still be a useful resource: https://www.iso.org/iso-31000-risk-management.html

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) Risk Assessment Guide:

CCOHS is a Canadian government agency that provides resources and guidance on workplace health and safety. They offer a free guide on risk assessment, which includes templates and examples, in PDF format: https://www.ccohs.ca/products/publications/risk-assessment/

Risk assessment form pdf download

Here are some resources where you can find risk assessment form PDF downloads:

WorkSafe New Zealand:

WorkSafe New Zealand is a government agency that provides resources and guidance on workplace health and safety. They offer a free risk assessment template in PDF format, which can be downloaded here: https://worksafe.govt.nz/dmsdocument/1150-risk-assessment-template

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA):

OSHA is a US-based government agency that provides resources and guidance on workplace health and safety. They offer a free risk assessment form in PDF format, which can be downloaded here: https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/2018-12/OSHA3839.pdf

SafetyCulture:

SafetyCulture is a company that offers a range of health and safety software solutions. They offer a free risk assessment template in PDF format, which can be downloaded here: https://safetyculture.com/templates/risk-assessment-template/

HSE:

HSE (Health and Safety Executive) is a UK-based government agency that provides resources and guidance on workplace health and safety. They offer a free risk assessment form in PDF format, which can be downloaded here: https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/risk/risk-assessment-template.pdf

Risk management activities

Risk management activities are actions taken to identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks in a business or project. Some common risk management activities include:

• Risk Identification: The process of identifying potential risks and hazards that may impact the business or project.
• Risk Assessment: The process of evaluating the potential risks and determining their likelihood and impact on the project or business.
• Risk Mitigation: The process of implementing measures to reduce or eliminate the potential risks that have been identified and assessed.
• Risk Monitoring: The process of continuously monitoring the project or business to identify new risks and assess the effectiveness of the risk mitigation measures.
• Risk Reporting: The process of documenting the risks and their management, including progress and status updates, and communicating this information to stakeholders.
• Contingency Planning: Developing and implementing a plan of action in case a risk event does occur.
• Risk Response Planning: Developing and implementing a plan of action for dealing with identified risks, including contingency planning and mitigation strategies.
• Risk Communication: Regular communication with stakeholders and team members about the risks and mitigation strategies.

Risk management techniques in a project manager

Project managers can use various risk management techniques to identify, assess, and mitigate risks in their projects. Here are some commonly used techniques:

• Risk Identification: Brainstorming sessions, checklists, SWOT analysis, flowcharting, and process mapping can be used to identify potential risks in a project.
• Risk Assessment: Probability and impact assessment, scenario analysis, and risk ranking are some techniques used to assess the likelihood and impact of identified risks.
• Risk Mitigation: Avoidance, reduction, transfer, and acceptance are some techniques used to mitigate identified risks.
• Contingency Planning: Developing alternative plans and identifying fallback options in case of risk events. 
• Risk Monitoring and Control: Regular monitoring of risks and control measures to identify new risks, evaluate the effectiveness of risk management strategies, and make adjustments if necessary.
• Stakeholder Communication: Keeping stakeholders informed about identified risks, mitigation strategies, and contingency plans.
• Lessons Learned: Conducting post-project reviews to identify areas of improvement and incorporate lessons learned into future projects.

By applying these techniques, project managers can proactively manage risks and minimize their impact on the project, ensuring project success and stakeholder satisfaction.

Pros and cons of risk assessment template

Here are some pros and cons of using a risk assessment template:

Pros:

• Provides a structured approach to identifying and assessing risks
• Saves time by using a pre-made template instead of creating one from scratch
• Ensures consistency in the risk assessment process
• Can help to identify risks that may have been overlooked otherwise
• Can be used as a training tool for new employees or team members
• Helps to prioritize risks based on severity and likelihood
• Provides a record of the risk assessment process for documentation and compliance purposes
• Can be easily shared with stakeholders and team members
• Allows for a consistent approach to risk assessment across different projects and departments
• Can help to identify areas for improvement in your organization’s risk management processes

Cons:

• May not be specific enough to your organization’s needs
• May require customization to fit your specific risk assessment requirements
• Could lead to complacency if the template is always used without careful consideration of the risks involved
• May not include all possible risks that could impact your organization
• Can create a false sense of security if the template is seen as the only tool for risk assessment.
• May not account for changes in the risk environment over time
• Can be overly simplistic and not account for complex risks or interdependencies between risks
• May not capture subjective factors that can influence risk, such as human behavior or organizational culture
• Can be limited in scope and not capture all potential risks to your organization
• May not address mitigation strategies or action plans for identified risks, leaving this up to the user to develop.

Frequently asked questions

Q.1 What is a risk assessment template?

A risk assessment template is a tool that helps organizations identify and evaluate potential risks in a standardized and systematic way. It typically includes a set of questions or criteria to assess the likelihood and impact of different risks, as well as guidance on how to mitigate or manage them.

Q.2 What are the benefits of using a risk assessment template?

Some benefits of using a risk assessment template include improved consistency and accuracy in risk identification and evaluation, reduced subjectivity in risk assessment, increased efficiency in the risk assessment process, and a standardized approach to risk management across different projects or departments.

Q.3 How do I choose the right risk assessment template for my organization?

The right risk assessment template for your organization will depend on factors such as your industry, the type of risks you face, and the size and complexity of your organization. It’s important to choose a template that is comprehensive enough to capture all potential risks, but not so complex that it becomes burdensome to use.

Q.4 How often should I update my risk assessment template?

Your risk assessment template should be updated regularly to reflect changes in your organization or the risk environment. At a minimum, it should be reviewed and updated annually, or whenever there are significant changes in your operations or external factors that could impact risk.

Q.5 Can I customize a risk assessment template to fit my organization’s needs?

Yes, most risk assessment templates can be customized to fit the specific needs of your organization. This may involve adding or removing risk categories, modifying the criteria for risk evaluation, or incorporating additional information or guidance relevant to your industry or operations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a risk assessment is an essential tool for identifying and assessing potential risks and hazards in various settings, including the workplace, projects, and events. It involves a systematic approach to analyzing potential risks and developing strategies to mitigate or manage them. A risk assessment template provides a structured framework for conducting a risk assessment, making it easier to document and communicate the findings. While there are some drawbacks to using a template, the benefits typically outweigh the drawbacks. Overall, a risk assessment is an important step in ensuring the safety and success of any endeavor.