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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle movement | Attendees, Staff, Drivers – Accidents, collisions, injuries | Clearly mark parking areas and entrances. Provide spaces for disabled parking near entrances. Employ marshals to direct vehicles. | High | Medium | C. Patel |
| Physical hazards at the site | Attendees, Staff – Drowning, falls, injuries | Inspect the site for hazards such as water bodies, uneven ground, or construction materials. Use barriers or signage to restrict access to dangerous areas. | High | Medium | C. Patel |
Benefits: Fosters community pride and belonging.; Inspires volunteerism and civic engagement.; Provides entertainment and educational opportunities.
3. Risk assessment example: Mechanical Workshop
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual handling injuries | Participants – Back injuries, muscle strains, repetitive stress | Train participants on proper lifting techniques and provide mechanical aids like trolleys and hoists for heavy loads. Encourage team lifting for large objects. Ensure ergonomic workstations to reduce strain. | Medium | Low | A. Smith |
| Exposure to welding fumes | Participants – Respiratory issues, long-term health effects, dizziness | Provide effective local exhaust ventilation systems to capture fumes at the source. Ensure participants wear appropriate PPE, including respiratory protection, and perform air quality monitoring regularly. | High | Medium | C. Patel |
Benefits: Develops technical and mechanical skills through hands-on projects.; Enhances problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.; Fosters creativity and innovation in designing mechanical solutions.
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 | F. Wilson |
| Exposure to contaminated water | Participants – Disease, infection | Discourage participants from entering or touching unknown water sources. If unavoidable, ensure protective clothing is used and clean water is available for rinsing off contaminants. | Medium | Low | E. Brown |
Benefits: Promotes environmental stewardship and responsibility.; Fosters teamwork and collaborative effort in achieving common goals.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Scaffold misplacement | Workers – Falls from improperly placed scaffolds, instability causing collapses, damage to structures | Train workers on correct scaffold placement and usage. Use spirit levels to ensure scaffolds are level and properly aligned. Install guardrails and toe boards to prevent accidents. Conduct daily checks to ensure proper setup and security. | High | Low | J. Lewis |
Benefits: Enhances the visual appeal and aesthetics of spaces.; Improves indoor air quality with low-VOC paints and materials.; Facilitates customization and personalization of environments.
6. Risk assessment example: Catering Service
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | D. Ahmed |
| Sharp utensils and cutting equipment | Staff – Cuts, lacerations, puncture wounds | Store knives in cases or racks, keep blades sharp to avoid slips, and provide cut-resistant gloves. Train staff in safe handling and never leave knives unattended at venues. Inspect equipment after each job. | Medium | Low | K. Morgan |
Benefits: Reduces onsite disruption by centralizing prep and hygiene controls.; Delivers scalable food solutions for meetings, events, and remote sites.; Enhances event satisfaction through professional presentation and timing.
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 | B. Jones |
| Choking hazards for younger children | Young pupils – Choking, ingestion of small items | Restrict under-7 access to small-part exhibits. Only use replica kits with age-appropriate components. Supervise at a 1:4 ratio for early years. Clean display areas regularly to prevent small debris accumulation. | High | Medium | G. Taylor |
Benefits: Supports inclusive learning with multisensory exhibits.; Brings history, science, and arts to life with authentic artefacts.; Strengthens note taking, sketching, and question framing.
8. Risk assessment example: Chemical hair services (colour, bleach, perms)
| Hazard | Who & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allergic reaction to direct dyes and toners (non-oxidative) | Clients – Itching, rash, swelling | Review dye reaction history; perform a small behind-ear/inner-arm test with the exact toner/shade, avoiding damaged skin. Use minimal contact time, remove at the first sign of irritation, provide aftercare advice, and record product, batch and timing. | High | Medium | A. Smith |
| 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 | K. Morgan |
Benefits: Expands service offerings, attracting a wider range of clientele.; Provides opportunities for personalised colour and texture solutions.; Increases expertise in safe chemical handling and professional procedures.
9. Risk assessment example: Communal meals & coffee mornings
| Hazard | Who & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uneven ground and garden furniture | Guests, volunteers – Trips, falls, unstable seating | Inspect lawns, patios, and paths for holes or trip hazards, stabilise outdoor tables/chairs, and mark off any unsuitable areas. Provide mats over cables or hoses if used for catering outdoors. | Medium | Low | C. Patel |
| Trips during serving | Guests, volunteers – Trips, falls, spills | Create a one-way system for food and drinks, avoid overcrowding at serving tables, and provide trays. Encourage guests to remain seated while servers circulate, and space out tables for movement. | Medium | Low | A. Smith |
Benefits: Builds trust and unity among community members.; Supports mental health by promoting belonging and routine.; Strengthens friendships and intergenerational connections.
10. Risk assessment example: Indoor Sports/Activity
| Hazard | Who & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slippery floor | All participants – Slips, falls, injuries | Ensure floors are dry before activities, place mats near entryways, and enforce no-drink policies in the activity area. Conduct regular floor inspections, and use | Medium | Low | D. Ahmed |
| 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 | E. Brown |
Benefits: Builds confidence and self-esteem through skill development.; Fosters social interaction and bonding among participants.; Promotes physical fitness and coordination through various sports.
11. Risk assessment example: Electrical Maintenance and Installation
| Hazard | Who & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wet conditions | Workers – Electric shock, equipment damage, fire | Use weatherproof and watertight enclosures for electrical equipment in wet areas. Implement strict protocols to avoid working with electrical systems in wet conditions. Provide PPE such as insulated boots. | High | Low | F. Wilson |
| Inadequate emergency procedures | Workers, site visitors – Delays in response to electrical incidents, injuries, fatalities | Develop and regularly review emergency response plans specific to electrical incidents. Conduct drills and ensure availability of fire extinguishers and first-aid kits. Train employees on emergency protocols. | High | Low | K. Morgan |
Benefits: Enhances energy efficiency and reduces utility costs.; Ensures reliable and safe electrical systems operation.; 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.