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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Access for disabled attendees | Disabled Attendees, Staff – Exclusion, injury | Ensure all event areas are accessible, with ramps and wide paths. Provide seating and amenities tailored to the needs of disabled attendees. | High | Medium | F. Wilson |
| Communication breakdowns | Attendees, Staff – Coordination failure, delayed response | Ensure clear communication between event staff via radios or walkie-talkies. Establish an emergency communication plan. | High | Medium | K. Morgan |
Benefits: Provides entertainment and educational opportunities.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inhalation of harmful gases | Participants – Respiratory distress, unconsciousness, death | Install gas detection systems and ensure proper ventilation. Provide respirators for participants in areas with poor air quality and perform regular equipment checks for leaks. | High | Low | D. Ahmed |
| Chemical exposure (solvents, lubricants) | Participants – Skin irritation, respiratory issues, poisoning | Use appropriate PPE such as gloves and eye protection. Provide Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and train participants on safe handling and disposal methods. Ensure proper ventilation is in place. | High | Medium | E. Brown |
Benefits: Develops technical and mechanical skills through hands-on projects.; Builds confidence through the successful completion of mechanical projects.; Promotes teamwork and collaboration in group tasks.
4. Risk assessment example: Environmental Clean-Up Initiative
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Syringes and medical waste | Students, Supervisors – Infection, exposure to biohazards, needlestick injuries | If syringes or medical waste are found, students must avoid touching them and notify supervisors for appropriate disposal via a local authority. Ensure all students are briefed on identifying hazardous materials. | High | Low | K. Morgan |
| Infection from contaminated items | Participants – Disease, infection | All participants must wear gloves and avoid direct contact with items like used syringes or animal waste. Any such items should be reported to supervisors for proper disposal by specialized services. Encourage frequent hand sanitizing. | Medium | Low | F. Wilson |
Benefits: Builds a sense of accomplishment and pride in contributing to the community.; Fosters teamwork and collaborative effort in achieving common goals.; Develops organizational and project management skills.
5. Risk assessment example: Painting and Decorating
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prolonged static postures | Workers – Muscle fatigue from static postures, reduced circulation, long-term strain injuries | Encourage workers to shift positions frequently and provide ergonomic equipment, such as adjustable scaffolding. Schedule regular breaks to relieve tension and reduce strain. Offer training on safe posture practices. | Medium | Low | J. Lewis |
| Inadequate first aid | Workers – Delayed response to injuries, increased severity of accidents, reduced worker confidence | Ensure a sufficient number of trained first aiders are available on-site. Provide fully stocked first-aid kits, including items specific to painting hazards such as eye wash solutions. Display emergency contact numbers and first-aid procedures prominently. Conduct regular first-aid drills to ensure preparedness. | Medium | Low | A. Smith |
Benefits: Enhances the visual appeal and aesthetics of spaces.; Improves indoor air quality with low-VOC paints and materials.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash handling and financial security | Staff, management – Theft, robbery, counterfeit notes | Encourage contactless payments, keep floats low, and store cash securely in lockboxes. Train staff in discreet handling, counterfeit checks, and robbery response. Review CCTV where permitted. | Medium | Low | K. Morgan |
| 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 | B. Jones |
Benefits: Reduces onsite disruption by centralizing prep and hygiene controls.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hazardous or toxic materials in exhibits | Pupils, staff – Exposure to chemicals, contamination | Liaise with curators to confirm all handling collections are safe. Keep any hazardous objects sealed. Only allow supervised handling of replicas; prohibit student access to behind-the-scenes storage. Log all collections risk assessments. | High | Medium | E. Brown |
| Sharp or fragile exhibit hazards | Pupils, staff – Cuts, breakage, injuries | Place physical barriers around delicate displays. Train staff to supervise interactive exhibits, use "look, don’t touch" signage, and provide padded tables or trays in handling sessions. Conduct handling only with dedicated staff oversight. | High | Medium | H. Clark |
Benefits: Enhances cultural capital and curiosity beyond the classroom.; Strengthens note taking, sketching, and question framing.; Supports inclusive learning with multisensory exhibits.
8. Risk assessment example: Chemical hair services (colour, bleach, perms)
| Hazard | Who & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fire risk from flammables and ignition sources | Staff, clients – Fire, burns, injury, property damage | Store aerosols/alcohols away from heat; keep dryers/straighteners off capes and unplug when not in use. Maintain clear exits, serviced extinguishers and a no-smoking policy; brief staff on electrical/aerosol fire response and never use heat over volatile products. | High | Low | 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 | H. Clark |
Benefits: Expands service offerings, attracting a wider range of clientele.; Encourages advanced technical skills and product knowledge development.; Delivers transformative results that can boost self-esteem and client satisfaction.
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 | E. Brown |
| Emergency evacuation | Guests, volunteers – Injury, panic, falls | Keep all exits unlocked and clear, display evacuation routes, and brief volunteers on sweep zones. Assign a leader to carry the register and ensure assembly point is suitable for all ages and mobility levels. | High | Low | J. Lewis |
Benefits: Provides affordable hospitality and community support.; Builds trust and unity among community members.; Encourages social inclusion and reduces loneliness.
10. Risk assessment example: Indoor Sports/Activity
| Hazard | Who & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric shock (from faulty equipment) | All participants – Electric shock, burns, fires | Ensure all electrical equipment is PAT tested, and replace faulty wires or plugs immediately. Keep electrical sockets out of reach of participants. | Medium | Low | D. Ahmed |
| 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 | H. Clark |
Benefits: Provides a fun and engaging way to stay active indoors.; Builds confidence and self-esteem through skill development.; Fosters social interaction and bonding among participants.
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 | K. Morgan |
| Lack of testing and verification before re-energizing | Workers – Electric shock, equipment failure, system damage | Implement mandatory testing protocols to ensure systems are safe before re-energizing. Use testing equipment like multimeters and insulation testers. Train employees to follow strict verification processes. | High | Low | A. Smith |
Benefits: Reduces the risk of electrical hazards and fires.; Facilitates compliance with electrical codes and standards.; Improves the longevity and performance of electrical infrastructure.
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.
