Risk Assessment Example (Completed Samples + Free PDF)
Worked examples with hazards, controls and before/after ratings. Use these as a model, open the matching template, then export a professional PDF with your logo. No account needed.
Quick index
1. What a good risk assessment example looks like
Structure: hazard → who might be harmed & how → existing controls → risk before and after → owner.
Ratings: keep one scale for the team (3×3 or 5×5). Define levels in plain English so everyone agrees what “Low”, “Medium” and “High” mean.
Owners: assign a person for each measure so things actually happen.
2. Risk assessment example: Community Events
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual handling | Staff – Strains, sprains, back injuries | Provide training on safe lifting techniques and ensure the use of appropriate lifting equipment such as sack trucks or trolleys. | High | Medium | J. Lewis |
| Structural integrity of temporary structures | Attendees, Contractors, Staff – Collapse, injury, damage | Ensure all temporary structures are erected by competent personnel. Conduct inspections to confirm stability. | High | Medium | J. Lewis |
Benefits: Inspires volunteerism and civic engagement.; Fosters community pride and belonging.; Supports local businesses and initiatives.
3. Risk assessment example: Mechanical Workshop
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poor group management | Participants, leaders – Conflicts, loss of control, accidents | Establish clear group rules and assign leaders for smaller subgroups. Maintain appropriate participant-to-leader ratios, and ensure leaders are trained in group management techniques such as conflict resolution and maintaining attention. | High | Low | F. Wilson |
| Sharp tools and equipment | Participants – Cuts, lacerations, amputations | Regularly inspect and maintain tools to ensure sharp edges are covered when not in use. Train participants on proper cutting techniques and provide PPE like gloves and cut-resistant sleeves. | High | Medium | E. Brown |
Benefits: Fosters creativity and innovation in designing mechanical solutions.; Encourages safety awareness and responsible tool usage.; Promotes teamwork and collaboration in group tasks.
4. Risk assessment example: Environmental Clean-Up Initiative
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fatigue from overexertion | Participants – Exhaustion, injury | Schedule regular breaks and monitor participants for signs of exhaustion. Rotate tasks among participants to ensure no one is overworked. | Medium | Low | A. Smith |
| Wildlife | Participants – Bites, attacks | Instruct participants to maintain a safe distance from wildlife. Provide training on how to respond to wildlife encounters and have a first aid kit ready for potential bites or scratches. | Medium | Low | C. Patel |
Benefits: Develops organizational and project management skills.; Builds a sense of accomplishment and pride in contributing to the community.; Promotes environmental stewardship and responsibility.
5. Risk assessment example: Painting and Decorating
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heat stress | Workers – Heat exhaustion, dehydration, reduced work efficiency | Plan work schedules to avoid the hottest part of the day. Provide shaded rest areas and ensure a constant supply of drinking water. Train workers to recognize symptoms of heat stress and implement regular breaks during hot weather. | Medium | Low | G. Taylor |
| Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation | Workers – Sunburn from prolonged exposure, heat exhaustion, increased skin cancer risk | Provide workers with sunscreen, hats, and UV-protective clothing when working outdoors. Encourage shaded breaks and limit direct sun exposure during peak hours. Train workers on recognizing early signs of sunburn and heat-related illnesses. | Medium | Low | B. Jones |
Benefits: Increases property value through professional finishes.; Protects surfaces from damage, corrosion, and wear.; Improves indoor air quality with low-VOC paints and materials.
6. Risk assessment example: Catering Service
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash handling and financial security | Staff, management – Theft, robbery, counterfeit notes | Encourage contactless payments, keep floats low, and store cash securely in lockboxes. Train staff in discreet handling, counterfeit checks, and robbery response. Review CCTV where permitted. | Medium | Low | B. Jones |
| Vehicle loading and unloading | Staff, contractors, public – Struck-by incidents, falls from ramps, musculoskeletal injuries | Designate loading bays, use ramps/trolleys, and train staff in safe manual handling. Provide hi-vis clothing in public areas, keep routes well lit, and cordon off busy zones during loading/unloading. | High | Medium | E. Brown |
Benefits: Stimulates repeat business and referrals across corporate and social clients.; Enhances event satisfaction through professional presentation and timing.; Delivers scalable food solutions for meetings, events, and remote sites.
7. Risk assessment example: Museum/Educational Visit
| Hazard | Who & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overcrowding in exhibits | Pupils, staff – Anxiety, jostling, separation | Pre-book time slots and split large classes into subgroups. Follow museum’s one-way routes, queue management signage, and crowd flow plans. Assign a lead and rear adult in narrow galleries to prevent separation or congestion. | High | Medium | F. Wilson |
| Evacuation confusion in case of fire or incidents | Pupils, staff – Panic, injury, delayed evacuation | Review the museum fire plan on arrival. Assign staff to specific exits. Practise call-and-response during drills. Use radios or mobiles for coordination. Confirm alarms are audible throughout galleries and assembly points accessible. | High | Medium | G. Taylor |
Benefits: Brings history, science, and arts to life with authentic artefacts.; Enhances cultural capital and curiosity beyond the classroom.; Supports inclusive learning with multisensory exhibits.
8. Risk assessment example: Chemical hair services (colour, bleach, perms)
| Hazard | Who & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical scalp irritation or burns | Clients – Scalp burns, irritation, long-term sensitivity | Use on-scalp formulas only where indicated; assess scalp integrity first. Select developer strength by hair condition, set timers, and check every 5–10 mins. At any burning, remove product and cool-rinse thoroughly, apply pH-balancing aftercare, record details, and adjust plan next visit. | High | Low | G. Taylor |
| Overprocessing and hair breakage | Clients – Hair damage, split ends, breakage | Test elasticity/porosity before lightening; reduce developer on fragile zones, avoid overlapping lightener, and use bond-support protocols per brand. Perform timed visual checks, rinse at target level, apply strength-restoring aftercare, and record integrity choices for future sessions. | High | Medium | A. Smith |
Benefits: Promotes regular salon visits, supporting steady business growth.; Increases expertise in safe chemical handling and professional procedures.; Delivers transformative results that can boost self-esteem and client satisfaction.
9. Risk assessment example: Communal meals & coffee mornings
| Hazard | Who & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot drinks service | Guests, volunteers – Burns, scalds, spills | Position urns or kettles on stable tables away from edges, provide lidded cups, and brief volunteers to pour carefully. Create a separate serving zone away from children and provide a burns kit and first-aider nearby. | High | Low | D. Ahmed |
| Emergency evacuation | Guests, volunteers – Injury, panic, falls | Keep all exits unlocked and clear, display evacuation routes, and brief volunteers on sweep zones. Assign a leader to carry the register and ensure assembly point is suitable for all ages and mobility levels. | High | Low | D. Ahmed |
Benefits: Creates safe, welcoming spaces for informal conversations.; Encourages social inclusion and reduces loneliness.; Supports mental health by promoting belonging and routine.
10. Risk assessment example: Indoor Sports/Activity
| Hazard | Who & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uneven flooring | All participants – Trips, falls, injuries | Regularly inspect the indoor sports floor for damage or uneven areas, and repair immediately. Use temporary markings if areas are unsafe. | Medium | Low | E. Brown |
| Electric shock (from faulty equipment) | All participants – Electric shock, burns, fires | Ensure all electrical equipment is PAT tested, and replace faulty wires or plugs immediately. Keep electrical sockets out of reach of participants. | Medium | Low | K. Morgan |
Benefits: Fosters social interaction and bonding among participants.; Enhances teamwork and cooperative strategies in indoor games.; Provides a fun and engaging way to stay active indoors.
11. Risk assessment example: Electrical Maintenance and Installation
| Hazard | Who & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vibration damage to equipment | Workers – Equipment failure, electrical faults, injuries | Use anti-vibration mounts and brackets for equipment in high-vibration areas. Conduct regular inspections for loosened connections or signs of wear. Train employees to identify vibration-related damage. | Medium | Low | B. Jones |
| Improper storage of tools | Workers – Falling objects, injuries, equipment damage | Set up designated storage areas with proper labeling and organization. Enforce tool-check-in and check-out procedures. Conduct regular inspections of storage spaces to ensure tools are stored safely and securely. | Medium | Low | J. Lewis |
Benefits: Improves the longevity and performance of electrical infrastructure.; Reduces the risk of electrical hazards and fires.; Supports the integration of advanced electrical technologies.
12. FAQs
Can I copy these examples directly?
Use them as a starting point and adapt to your task, people and place. Record what you actually do, not just what looks tidy on paper.
Do I need a 5×5 matrix?
A 3×3 is fine for many teams and quicker to apply. Use 5×5 if you genuinely need finer bands. Keep one scale and stick to it.
How do I export a tidy PDF with our logo?
Create your assessment in the wizard, then export to a branded PDF. You can try the tool without creating an account.
Where can I see more guidance?
See our assessing the risk page and the risk matrix page.
