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A good risk assessment template keeps the assessment focused on what matters: the real hazards, who could be hurt, what you already do about it and what else you need to do. Ours is free, editable in Word, and includes a 5 by 5 risk matrix and a scoring guide.
Download the free risk assessment template (Word)
What is in the template
- Details of the organisation, location, task, assessor and review date
- A table for hazards, who might be harmed and how, existing controls, scores, further action, owners and dates
- A worked example row to show the level of detail needed
- A colour-coded 5 by 5 risk matrix and a scoring guide, explained in our guide to the risk matrix
How to fill it in, column by column
| Column | What to write |
|---|---|
| Hazard | Something with the potential to cause harm, described specifically. “Working from a stepladder” is better than “falls”. |
| Who might be harmed and how | Groups of people, such as operatives, cleaners, visitors or the public, and the type of injury or ill health. |
| Controls already in place | What is actually done now, not what should be done. |
| L, S and Risk | Likelihood and severity from 1 to 5, multiplied for the risk score, with current controls in place. |
| Further action needed | What else is needed to reduce the risk, using the hierarchy of controls. |
| Action by whom and by when | A named person and a date, so the action actually happens. |
| Done | Tick off actions as they are completed, then re-score the risk. |
Worked example
| Hazard | Who and how | Existing controls | Score | Further action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reversing delivery lorries in the yard | Warehouse staff and drivers, struck by vehicle, fatal injury | Hi-vis worn, reversing alarm on lorries | 3 x 5 = 15 | Mark a separate pedestrian walkway, introduce a banksman for reversing, set delivery times |
| Manual handling of 25 kg sacks | Warehouse staff, back injury | Training given | 4 x 3 = 12 | Buy sacks in smaller sizes, provide a sack trolley, rotate tasks |
| Trailing cables at workstations | Office staff and visitors, trips | None | 3 x 2 = 6 | Fit cable covers and reposition sockets |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Copying a generic assessment that does not match the actual work
- Listing hazards without saying who is at risk
- Relying on PPE or “be careful” as the main control
- Actions with no owner or date
- Never reviewing it when the work changes
- Not telling the people affected what the assessment says
Do you have to write a risk assessment down?
Every employer must carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment. If you have five or more employees, you must record the significant findings. Our guide to the 5 steps to risk assessment explains the process in full, and RAMS explains how risk assessments work with method statements on construction sites.
Training that helps
NEBOSH Managing Risks is a focused qualification in risk assessment and control, ideal for anyone who writes or reviews risk assessments. Our risk assessment eLearning is a quick introduction for supervisors, and IOSH Managing Safely covers risk assessment as part of managing safety day to day.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a legal format for a risk assessment?
No. The law requires the assessment to be suitable and sufficient, and significant findings recorded if you have five or more employees. Any clear format is acceptable.
How often should a risk assessment be reviewed?
Whenever there is reason to think it is no longer valid, such as a change in the work, equipment or people, or after an accident. Many organisations also review annually.
Who should carry out a risk assessment?
A competent person who understands the work and the hazards, ideally involving the people who do the job.
Can I use this template for COSHH or fire risk assessments?
It works for general risk assessment. COSHH and fire risk assessments have specific requirements, so use a format designed for them.
Read the source
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, regulation 3; HSE guidance INDG163, Risk assessment: a brief guide to controlling risks in the workplace, and HSE’s risk assessment templates and examples. Facts checked on 6 October 2026.
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