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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcohol consumption | Attendees, Staff – Drunken behavior, accidents, health issues | Ensure alcohol is served by licensed vendors. Monitor consumption to prevent excessive drinking. Provide non-alcoholic options. | High | Medium | B. Jones |
| Animal-related activities | Attendees, Animals, Staff – Bites, allergic reactions, injury | Ensure animals are handled by trained personnel. Use appropriate barriers to keep attendees at a safe distance. Ensure the animals’ welfare is maintained. | High | Medium | G. Taylor |
Benefits: Fosters community pride and belonging.; Inspires volunteerism and civic engagement.; Builds awareness of local issues and causes.
3. Risk assessment example: Mechanical Workshop
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinch points in assembly processes | Participants – Crush injuries, amputations, lacerations | Install guards and barriers around pinch points and train participants on identifying these hazards. Provide clear signage and restrict access to dangerous areas when machinery is operating. | Medium | Low | B. Jones |
| Mechanical equipment failure | Participants – Accidents, injuries, production downtime | Conduct regular maintenance checks and inspections of all mechanical equipment. Train participants on safe operation and proper reporting of defects. Enforce use of PPE, including ear protection. | High | Low | E. Brown |
Benefits: Encourages safety awareness and responsible tool usage.; Enhances problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.; Builds confidence through the successful completion of mechanical projects.
4. Risk assessment example: Environmental Clean-Up Initiative
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uneven ground | Participants – Sprains, fractures | Conduct a site survey beforehand to identify hazardous areas. Instruct participants to wear sturdy, non-slip footwear and to avoid particularly rough or slippery areas. Mark hazardous zones clearly. | Medium | Low | B. Jones |
| 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 | F. Wilson |
Benefits: Enhances community awareness and engagement in sustainability efforts.; Promotes environmental stewardship and responsibility.; Builds a sense of accomplishment and pride in contributing to the community.
5. Risk assessment example: Painting and Decorating
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slip hazards from wet pathways | Workers – Slips on wet surfaces, slips on spills, slips on unmarked hazards | Clearly mark wet areas with warning signs. Use absorbent mats and barriers to prevent access until dry. Implement a cleaning procedure for spills and ensure footwear with slip-resistant soles is mandatory. Conduct regular checks to identify and mitigate potential slip hazards. | Medium | Low | D. Ahmed |
| Inhalation of dust and fumes | Workers – Inhalation of toxic fumes, respiratory issues from sanding dust, allergic reactions to fumes | Use dust suppression techniques, such as wet sanding, and install local exhaust ventilation (LEV). Provide workers with properly fitted respiratory protective equipment (RPE). Schedule work in well-ventilated areas and monitor air quality regularly to ensure safe conditions. | High | Low | H. Clark |
Benefits: Facilitates customization and personalization of environments.; Supports maintenance and longevity of building surfaces.; Increases property value through professional finishes.
6. Risk assessment example: Catering Service
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Customer aggression or disorderly conduct | Staff, customers, security – Assault, verbal abuse, stress | Train staff in de-escalation, set clear behaviour signage, and record incidents. Liaise with venue security for weddings/festivals and rehearse refusal-of-service protocols for alcohol-related incidents. | High | Medium | F. Wilson |
| Alcohol service at catered events | Customers, staff – Intoxication, underage sales, disorderly conduct | Train staff in Challenge 25 and intoxication recognition, provide free water, and record refusals. Coordinate with event organisers on licensing compliance and security support for alcohol-heavy functions. | High | Medium | F. Wilson |
Benefits: Delivers scalable food solutions for meetings, events, and remote sites.; Creates logistics roles in transport, setup, and off-site service.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trips, slips, and falls | Pupils, staff – Trips, slips, falls, minor injuries | Conduct a pre-visit to flag uneven flooring, loose carpets, or steps. Instruct pupils to walk in single file, install signage for hazards, and place staff at bottlenecks. Ensure museum cleaning schedules clear debris and spills quickly. | High | Medium | D. Ahmed |
| Ingestion or contamination from touch-tables or interactives | Pupils, staff – Illness, cross-contamination | Provide hand sanitiser at entry/exit of galleries, disinfect touchscreens hourly, and brief pupils to clean hands before snacks. Museum staff to keep cleaning logs and ensure waste bins are accessible. | Medium | Low | E. Brown |
Benefits: Strengthens note taking, sketching, and question framing.; Motivates further research and project based learning.; Brings history, science, and arts to life with authentic artefacts.
8. Risk assessment example: Chemical hair services (colour, bleach, perms)
| Hazard | Who & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keratin/straightening treatment fumes | Clients, staff – Breathing difficulty, irritation, headache | Select low-emission systems, ventilate with cross-flow or extraction near irons, and measure product precisely. Keep iron temperatures within brand limits and limit passes; offer masks if requested and avoid clients with active respiratory issues. Record batch and settings. | High | Medium | H. Clark |
| Allergic reaction to oxidative dyes (PPD/PTD) | Clients, staff – Allergic reaction, swelling, rash, anaphylaxis | Carry out an allergy alert test with the exact brand, shade and oxidant 48 hrs prior; review history including black henna and severe past reactions. Avoid damaged skin, use barrier at hairline/ears, and keep emergency steps visible; stop and rinse immediately if symptoms appear. | High | Low | H. Clark |
Benefits: Promotes regular salon visits, supporting steady business growth.; Expands service offerings, attracting a wider range of clientele.; Encourages advanced technical skills and product knowledge development.
9. Risk assessment example: Communal meals & coffee mornings
| Hazard | Who & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical equipment (kettles, urns, AV) | Volunteers, guests – Shock, fire, trips from cables | PAT-test appliances, avoid daisy-chaining sockets, and tape down cables. Position appliances near sockets to avoid trailing leads, and restrict operation to trained adults. | High | Low | E. Brown |
| Food waste and litter | Guests, volunteers – Vermin, illness, slips | Provide clearly labelled bins for recycling, compost, and waste. Empty bins before they overflow, store refuse away from food prep areas, and ensure pest control procedures are followed. | Low | Low | D. Ahmed |
Benefits: Strengthens friendships and intergenerational connections.; Creates safe, welcoming spaces for informal conversations.; Builds trust and unity among community members.
10. Risk assessment example: Indoor Sports/Activity
| Hazard | Who & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participants with additional needs | Participants with additional needs – Inadequate support, exclusion, accidents | Assess the specific requirements of participants with additional needs and adapt activities accordingly. Provide trained staff to offer one-on-one assistance where necessary, ensuring inclusion while maintaining safety. | Medium | Medium | D. Ahmed |
| Inadequate training for staff | All participants – Poor supervision, accidents, ineffective response to emergencies | Provide staff with comprehensive training in safety, emergency procedures, and first aid. Offer regular refresher courses. | Medium | Low | J. Lewis |
Benefits: Encourages discipline and adherence to game rules.; Fosters social interaction and bonding among participants.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unsafe structures | Workers, site visitors – Collapses, falling debris, injuries | Conduct structural assessments before starting electrical work in or near the structure. Use temporary supports or scaffolding when needed. Restrict access to areas deemed structurally unsound. Train workers to identify signs of instability. | High | Low | G. Taylor |
| Live working hazards. | Workers, site visitors – Electric shock, burns, fatal injuries | Live working is only permitted when no other option is available. Implement strict lockout/tagout procedures to ensure all electrical sources are de-energized before maintenance. Provide insulated tools and PPE such as rubber gloves and mats. Conduct regular training on electrical safety protocols. | High | Low | E. Brown |
Benefits: Enhances energy efficiency and reduces utility costs.; Supports the integration of advanced electrical technologies.; Facilitates compliance with electrical codes and standards.
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.
