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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | E. Brown |
| Fire safety | Attendees, Staff – Fires, burns, smoke inhalation | Conduct a fire risk assessment, ensure fire extinguishers are available, and establish clear evacuation routes. | High | Medium | A. Smith |
Benefits: Builds awareness of local issues and causes.; Inspires volunteerism and civic engagement.; 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 | H. Clark |
| 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 | D. Ahmed |
Benefits: Builds confidence through the successful completion of mechanical projects.; Promotes teamwork and collaboration in group tasks.; Develops technical and mechanical skills through hands-on projects.
4. Risk assessment example: Environmental Clean-Up Initiative
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allergic reactions to plants (e.g., poison ivy) | Participants – Allergic reactions | Train participants to identify harmful plants. Encourage the use of gloves and long-sleeved clothing to minimize exposure. Keep antihistamines and first aid on hand for emergencies. | Medium | Low | B. Jones |
| 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 | F. Wilson |
Benefits: Enhances community awareness and engagement in sustainability efforts.; Builds a sense of accomplishment and pride in contributing to the community.; Encourages respect and appreciation for the natural environment.
5. Risk assessment example: Painting and Decorating
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | E. Brown |
| 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 | F. Wilson |
Benefits: Facilitates customization and personalization of environments.; Increases property value through professional finishes.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | K. Morgan |
| Electrical safety for temporary setups | Staff, customers, contractors – Electric shock, electrocution, trip hazards | Use RCD protection, waterproof connectors, and PAT test appliances annually. Tape down or ramp cables in public zones. Train staff in isolating faulty equipment and record all checks at each event. | Medium | Low | B. Jones |
Benefits: Reduces onsite disruption by centralizing prep and hygiene controls.; Stimulates repeat business and referrals across corporate and social clients.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stairs and steep access | Pupils, staff – Falls on stairs, overcrowding, injuries | Brief pupils before use, split groups to avoid overcrowding, and insist on holding rails. Mark steps clearly and assign staff to top and bottom. Use lifts for those with mobility needs; confirm lift maintenance records pre-visit. | Medium | Low | J. Lewis |
| 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 | F. Wilson |
Benefits: Supports inclusive learning with multisensory exhibits.; Strengthens note taking, sketching, and question framing.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neutraliser errors in perms | Clients – Hair breakage, weak curls, scalp irritation | Use fresh neutraliser at correct volume; saturate evenly and observe full contact time. Rinse thoroughly to remove residues, avoid brand mixing mid-service, check elastic recovery on a test curl, and coach clients on aftercare and first-wash timing for best longevity. | Medium | Low | A. Smith |
| Allergic reaction to persulfate lighteners | Clients, staff – Allergic reaction, respiratory distress, skin irritation | Screen for asthma or past bleach reactions; choose low-dust powders and mix slowly in ventilated areas. Keep product off skin, use gloves/eye protection, check sensation regularly, and remove immediately if tingling escalates to burning; document batch and timing for traceability. | High | Medium | E. Brown |
Benefits: Delivers transformative results that can boost self-esteem and client satisfaction.; Expands service offerings, attracting a wider range of clientele.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted mobility access | Guests with limited mobility – Exclusion, injury from stairs, blocked access | Reserve accessible seating, provide ramps for steps, and keep aisles wide for wheelchairs. Ensure accessible toilets are open and clear, and brief volunteers to assist guests sensitively. | Medium | Low | C. Patel |
| Burns from ovens and hot pans | Volunteers, guests – Burns, scalds | Use oven gloves, position pans with handles turned inwards, and restrict children from kitchen. Keep serving spoons ready to avoid guests handling hot containers. Train volunteers on burn first-aid response. | Medium | Low | C. Patel |
Benefits: Builds trust and unity among community members.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crowded entry/exit points | All participants – Accidents, congestion, injuries | Stagger entry and exit times to avoid congestion. Assign staff to manage these points and ensure smooth transitions. | Medium | Low | J. Lewis |
| Inappropriate warm-up or cool-down | All participants – Muscle injuries, strains, cramps | Implement structured warm-up and cool-down sessions before and after activities. Educate participants on the importance of these. | Medium | Low | G. Taylor |
Benefits: Fosters social interaction and bonding among participants.; Provides a fun and engaging way to stay active indoors.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incorrect tool selection | Workers – Injury, reduced efficiency, material damage | Train workers to select the correct tool for the job based on the task and material. Provide detailed instructions and visual guides on proper tool use. Maintain an inventory of tools with clear labeling and usage guidelines. | Medium | Low | G. Taylor |
| Improper use of extension cords | Workers – Overheating, fire, electric shock | Limit the use of extension cords; when necessary, use only heavy-duty, grounded cords rated for the specific load. Regularly inspect cords for damage. Train employees on proper usage. | Medium | Low | D. Ahmed |
Benefits: Facilitates compliance with electrical codes and standards.; Improves the longevity and performance of electrical infrastructure.; Reduces the risk of electrical hazards and fires.
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.