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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event-specific equipment malfunctions | Attendees, Staff – Equipment failure, disruption | Inspect all event-specific equipment (e.g., sound systems, AV equipment) before use and have backup equipment available. | High | Medium | A. Smith |
| 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 | B. Jones |
Benefits: Builds awareness of local issues and causes.; Provides entertainment and educational opportunities.; Supports local businesses and initiatives.
3. Risk assessment example: Mechanical Workshop
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burns from hot surfaces or materials | Participants – Burns, scalds, heat exhaustion | Clearly mark hot surfaces and ensure participants wear heat-resistant gloves and clothing. Train participants on handling hot materials safely and provide sufficient cooling periods for equipment. | High | Low | K. Morgan |
| 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 | A. Smith |
Benefits: Enhances problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.; Develops technical and mechanical skills through hands-on projects.; Encourages safety awareness and responsible tool usage.
4. Risk assessment example: Environmental Clean-Up Initiative
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exposure to hazardous chemicals | Participants, Supervisors – Poisoning, burns | Avoid handling any unknown or chemical substances. Report such items to the team leader for proper disposal. Train participants on how to identify hazardous waste (e.g., oil, batteries). | High | Low | E. Brown |
| Burns from discarded materials (e.g., chemical burns) | Participants – Burns | Discourage handling of unknown substances. Ensure participants immediately report hazardous materials, and provide them with protective gloves and equipment. | High | Low | K. Morgan |
Benefits: Enhances community awareness and engagement in sustainability efforts.; 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 | C. Patel |
| Electrical hazards | Workers – Shocks from faulty equipment, fires from damaged wires, electrocution during tool usage | Regularly inspect and PAT test all electrical equipment. Ensure that Residual Current Devices (RCDs) are used and that cables are managed to avoid tripping hazards. Train workers in the safe use of electrical equipment and prohibit unauthorized modifications. | High | Low | C. Patel |
Benefits: Protects surfaces from damage, corrosion, and wear.; Increases property value through professional finishes.; Enhances the visual appeal and aesthetics of spaces.
6. Risk assessment example: Catering Service
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual handling of equipment and supplies | Staff – Strains, sprains, back injuries | Use trolleys for crates and chafing dishes, split heavy loads, and store between knee and shoulder height. Train in correct lifting posture, rotate staff to avoid fatigue, and log manual handling training annually. | High | Medium | C. Patel |
| Hot surfaces and burns (ovens, trays, chafing dishes) | Staff – Burns, scalds, contact injuries | Use PPE gloves/aprons, provide heat-resistant serving gear, and train staff in safe lifting of hot trays. Mark "hot" zones clearly and keep burn kits available with trained first-aiders on-site. | High | Medium | K. Morgan |
Benefits: Delivers scalable food solutions for meetings, events, and remote sites.; Reduces onsite disruption by centralizing prep and hygiene controls.; Stimulates repeat business and referrals across corporate and social clients.
7. Risk assessment example: Museum/Educational Visit
| Hazard | Who & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Road crossings near the museum | Pupils, staff – Traffic accidents, falls | Pre-plan walking routes avoiding busy junctions. Cross only at controlled points. Position adults front/back and in the road to stop traffic when safe. Use high-vis gear and teach pupils safe crossing routines. | High | Medium | C. Patel |
| Traffic or crowd hazards at arrival/departure | Pupils, staff – Traffic accidents, crowding injuries | Arrange coach drop-off in advance, avoiding busy roads. Place high-vis adults at gates and crossings. Line pupils up well away from kerbs and stagger coach boarding. Use barriers or cones to manage flow during group entry/exit. | High | Medium | C. Patel |
Benefits: Motivates further research and project based learning.; Brings history, science, and arts to life with authentic artefacts.; 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 | J. Lewis |
| Sulfite sensitivity to neutralisers | Clients – Asthma flare-up, skin irritation, breathing difficulty | Screen for asthma and sulfite reactions; choose sulfite-free neutralisers where possible. Avoid aerosolising neutraliser, ensure rapid access to eyewash and client reliever inhalers if prescribed, rinse thoroughly, and document batches; defer and signpost if symptoms arise. | Medium | Low | A. Smith |
Benefits: Delivers transformative results that can boost self-esteem and client satisfaction.; Encourages advanced technical skills and product knowledge development.; Promotes regular salon visits, supporting steady business growth.
9. Risk assessment example: Communal meals & coffee mornings
| Hazard | Who & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slips and trips in hall | Guests, volunteers – Slips, trips, falls | Mop spills quickly, lay non-slip mats at entrances, and tape down trailing cables. Keep chairs and bags away from walkways, and assign volunteers to monitor high-traffic zones during peak serving times. | High | Low | F. Wilson |
| Fire from cooking equipment | Volunteers, guests – Fire, burns, smoke inhalation | Test appliances regularly, keep fire blankets/extinguishers visible, and never leave ovens or hobs unattended. Train volunteers on emergency shut-off and ensure extractor fans are switched on during cooking. | High | Medium | H. Clark |
Benefits: Encourages social inclusion and reduces loneliness.; Creates safe, welcoming spaces for informal conversations.; Strengthens friendships and intergenerational connections.
10. Risk assessment example: Indoor Sports/Activity
| Hazard | Who & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharp objects or edges | All participants – Cuts, lacerations, puncture wounds | Regularly inspect the activity area for sharp objects or equipment edges. Cover any sharp edges with padding or remove the object. | Medium | Low | F. Wilson |
| Obstacles on the floor | All participants – Trips, falls, collisions | Inspect the activity area before the session to clear any debris, misplaced equipment, or items that could cause tripping. Use cones or markers to define safe zones. | Medium | Low | J. Lewis |
Benefits: Encourages discipline and adherence to game rules.; Promotes physical fitness and coordination through various sports.; Enhances teamwork and cooperative strategies in indoor games.
11. Risk assessment example: Electrical Maintenance and Installation
| Hazard | Who & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adverse weather | Workers – Electric shock, equipment damage, delays | Monitor weather forecasts and halt work during extreme conditions such as storms, heavy rain, or lightning. Provide weather-resistant PPE and ensure outdoor equipment is properly shielded. Develop contingency plans for rescheduling tasks. | High | Low | J. Lewis |
| Exposure to overhead power lines | Workers – Electrocution, fatal injuries, equipment damage | Maintain safe working distances as specified by regulations. Use insulated tools and equipment. Provide training on recognizing and avoiding overhead hazards. | High | Low | A. Smith |
Benefits: Supports the integration of advanced electrical technologies.; Ensures reliable and safe electrical systems operation.; Enhances energy efficiency and reduces utility costs.
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.
