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 | 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 | H. Clark |
Benefits: Provides entertainment and educational opportunities.; Encourages social bonding and connections.; Fosters community pride and belonging.
3. Risk assessment example: Mechanical Workshop
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inadequate safety equipment | Participants – Injuries, equipment failure, accidents | Conduct regular checks on all safety equipment such as helmets, gloves, and goggles. Ensure that equipment is replaced or repaired when damaged. Train participants on proper use and ensure all safety equipment is correctly fitted before activities. | High | Low | F. Wilson |
| Compressed air explosion | Participants, staff – Explosions, injuries, property damage | Ensure proper maintenance of compressors and provide pressure relief valves. Train participants on the dangers of compressed air and prohibit horseplay. Conduct regular equipment inspections. | High | Low | B. Jones |
Benefits: Develops technical and mechanical skills through hands-on projects.; Encourages safety awareness and responsible tool usage.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dehydration | Participants – Health issues from lack of fluids | Ensure access to water at all times and encourage regular hydration breaks. Limit time spent in direct sun, especially during peak heat hours. | Low | Low | B. Jones |
| Cold weather | Participants – Health issues from cold | Ensure participants wear layered clothing and are regularly checked for signs of hypothermia. Arrange for indoor rest breaks when temperatures drop. | Medium | Low | H. Clark |
Benefits: Develops organizational and project management skills.; Enhances community awareness and engagement in sustainability efforts.; Fosters teamwork and collaborative effort in achieving common goals.
5. Risk assessment example: Painting and Decorating
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noise exposure | Workers – Hearing damage from loud tools, stress from prolonged noise exposure, communication difficulties | Select quieter equipment where possible and schedule noisy tasks for limited periods. Provide workers with noise-reducing ear protection. Conduct regular noise monitoring and rotate staff to minimize prolonged exposure to high noise levels. | Medium | Low | D. Ahmed |
| Contact with hazardous substances | Workers – Skin irritation from chemicals, burns from corrosive materials, allergic reactions | Conduct a COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) assessment for all materials. Use sealed containers, clearly label chemicals, and store them in ventilated areas. Equip workers with gloves, goggles, and aprons. Provide safety data sheets and first-aid kits on site. | High | Low | G. Taylor |
Benefits: Improves indoor air quality with low-VOC paints and materials.; Protects surfaces from damage, corrosion, and wear.; Supports maintenance and longevity of building surfaces.
6. Risk assessment example: Catering Service
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food temperature control (storage, transport, service) | Staff, customers – Foodborne illness, bacterial growth, spoilage | Use insulated hot boxes/coolers, log transport temps, and check chafing dishes ≥63 °C. Discard food left out too long and train staff in safe reheating. Inspect fridges/freezers before each service. | High | Low | A. Smith |
| Licensing and regulatory compliance | Management, staff – Non-compliance, fines, closure | Maintain up-to-date food safety, alcohol, and event licences. Train staff in relevant legal obligations, display permits on-site, and conduct internal audits before events. Keep records of HACCP, allergen info, and alcohol refusals for inspection. | Medium | Low | E. Brown |
Benefits: Enhances event satisfaction through professional presentation and timing.; Supports dietary management with pre-planned menus and labeled allergens.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uneven outdoor paths if grounds included | Pupils, staff – Falls, sprains, injuries | Inspect and photograph outdoor routes before visit. Rope off unsafe areas, mark steep gradients, and instruct pupils to stay on marked trails. Bring first-aid kits and allocate adults to watch outdoor movement closely. | High | Medium | H. Clark |
| Weather exposure during outdoor queuing or movement | Pupils, staff – Hypothermia, heat exhaustion, discomfort | Bring coats, umbrellas, and water bottles; pre-book time slots to limit outdoor waiting; keep a wet-weather plan for queueing. | Medium | Low | C. Patel |
Benefits: Supports inclusive learning with multisensory exhibits.; Brings history, science, and arts to life with authentic artefacts.; Develops enquiry skills through guided and independent exploration.
8. Risk assessment example: Chemical hair services (colour, bleach, perms)
| Hazard | Who & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Client movement during processing | Clients – Foil slippage, uneven results, spills | Seat clients comfortably with head/neck support, explain why stillness matters, and set a call-bell for discomfort. Clip foils securely, avoid folding against the scalp, and pause if the client needs to move; recheck placement and timing before resuming. | Low | Low | J. Lewis |
| Incorrect mixing ratios or order | Staff – Unpredictable results, chemical burns, hair damage | Weigh with digital scales, follow label ratios, add developer after powder, and mix to a smooth, lump-free consistency. Never use metal bowls/whisks with persulfates; remix fresh if standing time is exceeded and never return leftovers to original containers. | Medium | Low | A. Smith |
Benefits: Provides opportunities for personalised colour and texture solutions.; Increases expertise in safe chemical handling and professional procedures.; Expands service offerings, attracting a wider range of clientele.
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 | F. Wilson |
| Cleaning chemical storage | Volunteers, guests – Poisoning, burns, contamination | Store chemicals in locked cupboards out of guest access, use clearly labelled bottles, and train volunteers in safe dilution and usage. Only use food-safe sanitisers on serving surfaces. | Medium | Low | D. Ahmed |
Benefits: Creates safe, welcoming spaces for informal conversations.; Builds trust and unity among community members.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire risk | All participants – Burns, smoke inhalation, fatalities | Ensure fire exits are clear and evacuation procedures are in place. Conduct regular fire drills and have extinguishers checked regularly. | High | Low | A. Smith |
| Safeguarding | Participants – Abuse, neglect, exploitation | Ensure all staff have safeguarding training and that a designated safeguarding officer is available. Implement procedures for dealing with safeguarding concerns, and ensure that staff work in pairs when possible to avoid being alone with participants. | Medium | Medium | C. Patel |
Benefits: Encourages discipline and adherence to game rules.; Provides a fun and engaging way to stay active indoors.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inadequate qualifications/experience | Workers – Improper handling of equipment, increased risk of incidents, reduced work quality | Verify workers' qualifications before assigning tasks. Provide specialized training for high-risk or complex activities. Pair inexperienced workers with qualified supervisors. Maintain up-to-date training records. | High | Low | B. Jones |
| Use of defective tools | Workers – Mechanical failures, injuries, equipment damage | Establish a system for regularly inspecting and maintaining tools. Remove defective tools from service immediately. Provide a reporting process for employees to highlight tool-related issues. | High | Low | G. Taylor |
Benefits: Enhances energy efficiency and reduces utility costs.; Improves the longevity and performance of electrical infrastructure.; 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.