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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crowd management | Attendees, Staff – Stampedes, crushing, suffocation | Plan for expected crowd sizes. Provide adequate entrances, exits, and restroom facilities. Employ trained staff or marshals to manage the flow of people. | High | Medium | E. Brown |
| Water hazards (e.g., ponds, lakes) | Attendees, Staff – Drowning, injury | Use fencing or barriers to restrict access to water bodies. Employ trained staff to supervise water areas and ensure safe distances are maintained. | High | Medium | B. Jones |
Benefits: Provides entertainment and educational opportunities.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falling objects from height | Participants – Head injuries, fractures, concussions | Ensure proper stacking of materials and provide storage shelves with barriers. Train participants to secure tools and equipment at height and provide hard hats for head protection. | Medium | Low | E. Brown |
| Inadequate clothing | Participants – Hypothermia, sunburn, discomfort | Provide participants with a clear list of necessary clothing prior to the event, including weather-appropriate gear. Check participants' clothing on arrival and have spare clothing on hand in case of inadequate preparation. | High | Low | F. Wilson |
Benefits: Fosters creativity and innovation in designing mechanical solutions.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemical exposure from nearby industrial waste | Participants, Supervisors – Poisoning, irritation | Survey the area before cleanup to identify potential industrial waste sources. Clearly mark hazardous zones and provide participants with instructions to avoid these areas. Alert local authorities to arrange for safe disposal of industrial waste. | High | Low | A. Smith |
| Weather-related hazards (heat, cold, rain) | Participants – Heatstroke, hypothermia | Plan cleanup activities during suitable weather conditions. Provide regular hydration, encourage the use of sunblock, and ensure participants wear appropriate clothing for the weather. Establish emergency shelter spots. | Medium | Low | H. Clark |
Benefits: Fosters teamwork and collaborative effort in achieving common goals.; Encourages respect and appreciation for the natural environment.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inadequate personal protective equipment | Workers – Injuries from exposure to hazardous substances, burns from lack of protective gear, increased accident severity | Conduct a PPE assessment to identify necessary equipment for each task (e.g., gloves, goggles, respirators). Provide workers with properly fitted, high-quality PPE and train them on correct usage. Monitor compliance and replace damaged or worn PPE immediately. | High | Low | C. Patel |
| Unsafe structures | Workers – Falls from unstable scaffolds, injuries from structural collapse, damage to property | Conduct a structural integrity inspection before work begins, focusing on scaffolding, ladders, and other temporary structures. Only allow certified personnel to erect scaffolds. Install guardrails, toe boards, and stabilizers to ensure stability. Regularly inspect structures throughout the project. | High | Low | A. Smith |
Benefits: Protects surfaces from damage, corrosion, and wear.; Improves indoor air quality with low-VOC paints and materials.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | D. Ahmed |
| LPG and portable cooking equipment | Staff, contractors, public – Gas leaks, fire, explosion | Store cylinders upright, fit regulators and leak detectors, and prohibit smoking near use. Keep fire blankets and extinguishers accessible, train staff in safe ignition/shut-off, and service annually. | High | Medium | E. Brown |
Benefits: Creates logistics roles in transport, setup, and off-site service.; Delivers scalable food solutions for meetings, events, and remote sites.; Reduces onsite disruption by centralizing prep and hygiene controls.
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 | J. Lewis |
| 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 | K. Morgan |
Benefits: Strengthens note taking, sketching, and question framing.; Develops enquiry skills through guided and independent exploration.; Enhances cultural capital and curiosity beyond the classroom.
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 | G. Taylor |
| Foil heat build-up on scalp | Clients – Burns, discomfort, scalp irritation | Use thin, even sections and appropriate developer; leave air gaps and avoid hood dryers over dense foil packs. Monitor by touch, remove any hot packet immediately, cool the scalp if needed, and adjust placement or strength to prevent thermal hotspots on future visits. | Medium | Low | K. Morgan |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash handling at sales or donations | Volunteers – Theft, financial loss, conflict | Collect cash using locked tins managed by two adults. Count discreetly in a private area, record totals, and bank promptly. Offer card/contactless options to reduce cash volumes where possible. | Medium | Low | J. Lewis |
| 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 | G. Taylor |
Benefits: Encourages social inclusion and reduces loneliness.; Strengthens friendships and intergenerational connections.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Improper use of equipment | All participants – Injuries, equipment damage, accidents | Provide thorough instruction on the proper use of sports equipment. Ensure equipment is age-appropriate and check it for wear and tear before each session. | Medium | Low | F. Wilson |
| Jewellery | Participants – Injury from entanglement, lost jewelry, cultural offense | Ensure participants remove all jewelry before starting activities. Instructors should conduct visual checks before the session begins and provide secure storage options if necessary. If removal is not possible (e.g., for cultural reasons), jewelry should be taped securely. | Medium | Low | K. Morgan |
Benefits: Builds confidence and self-esteem through skill development.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exposure to electrical noise (EMI/RFI) | Workers – Equipment interference, hearing damage, operational delays | Use shielding and grounding techniques to minimize interference. Provide PPE like ear protection in high-frequency areas. Conduct testing to identify and mitigate noise sources. | Medium | Low | D. Ahmed |
| Overloaded circuits | Workers, building occupants – Fire, equipment damage, system failure | Design electrical systems with appropriate load capacities. Install circuit breakers and fuses to prevent overloads. Educate staff on the dangers of overloading circuits. | High | Low | J. Lewis |
Benefits: Ensures reliable and safe electrical systems operation.; Improves the longevity and performance of electrical infrastructure.; 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.