What HSE Inspectors Actually Look For in Risk Assessments

The knock on the door. The HSE inspector's ID card. Your heart rate spikes. Every business owner and H&S manager has imagined this scenario, but few know exactly what inspectors are looking for when they review your risk assessments.

This guide reveals the inspection checklist HSE uses and how to ensure your risk assessments pass scrutiny every time.

What Triggers an HSE Inspection?

Understanding when HSE might visit helps you stay prepared:

• Reported incidents or accidents: Any RIDDOR-reportable incident triggers investigation
• Employee complaints: Workers can report concerns anonymously
• Random spot checks: Particularly in high-risk industries like construction
• New project notifications: Large construction projects notify HSE automatically
• Follow-up visits: Checking compliance with previous improvement notices

The bottom line: HSE can visit any time. Being perpetually inspection-ready isn't paranoia—it's good practice.

The 5 Things Inspectors Check First

1. Do Risk Assessments Actually Exist?

It sounds basic, but inspectors first verify that written risk assessments exist for all significant hazards. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, if you employ 5 or more people, you must record significant findings.

Red flags:

• No documentation available
• "We do them but don't write them down"
• Generic templates with no customization
• Blank sections or incomplete forms

2. Are They 'Suitable and Sufficient'?

HSE requires assessments be "suitable and sufficient." This means:

Suitable: Appropriate for the nature of the work and risks involved

Sufficient: Identifies significant risks and shows how they're controlled

Inspectors assess this by checking:

• Hazard identification is comprehensive (not just obvious risks)
• Vulnerable groups are considered (young workers, new starters, lone workers)
• Site-specific factors are addressed (not just generic templates)
• Control measures are realistic and actually implemented

3. Is the Correct Legislation Cited?

Inspectors expect to see appropriate UK regulations referenced. For construction work, this typically includes:

• Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015
• Work at Height Regulations 2005
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
• Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992

The absence of legislative references doesn't automatically fail an assessment, but it raises questions about competence and thoroughness.

4. Does It Follow the Hierarchy of Controls?

HSE expects control measures to follow the established hierarchy:

• Eliminate the risk entirely (best option)
• Reduce it (substitute, engineering controls)
• Isolate people from the hazard
• Control through procedures
• PPE (last resort only)

Inspectors get suspicious when they see:

• PPE listed as the primary control for everything
• No evidence of considering higher-level controls
• Controls that don't match the risk level

5. Who Conducted the Assessment?

Inspectors want to see that assessments were conducted by a 'competent person.' This doesn't necessarily mean a certified H&S professional, but someone with:

• Sufficient training and experience
• Knowledge of the work being assessed
• Understanding of relevant hazards

Awareness of legal requirements

Evidence of competence includes:

• Name and signature on assessment
• Job title or qualifications
• Evidence of H&S training
• Consultation with workers

Common Failures That Trigger Enforcement

Based on HSE enforcement data, these failures most commonly result in improvement or prohibition notices:

Desktop-Only Assessments

Risk assessments created from an office without ever visiting the actual work site or observing the task. Inspectors spot these immediately when site-specific hazards are missed.

Out-of-Date Assessments

Assessments should be reviewed regularly and whenever:

• Work activities change
• New equipment is introduced
• An incident occurs
• Legislation changes

At minimum, review annually. Assessments dated years ago with no review raise immediate red flags.

No Evidence of Implementation

A perfect risk assessment on paper means nothing if controls aren't implemented. Inspectors will:

• Walk the site to verify controls are in place
• Interview workers about procedures
• Check training records
• Verify safety equipment is available and used

How to Be Inspection-Ready Always

Create a Rolling Review Schedule

Don't wait for annual reviews. Implement a monthly review of high-risk assessments and quarterly reviews of others. Mark review dates in your calendar and stick to them.

Maintain an Audit Trail

Keep records of:

• Who conducted each assessment
• When it was reviewed
• What changed and why
• Worker consultation
• Training delivered

Use Consistent Methodology

Standardize your risk rating approach across all assessments. Inconsistent ratings (high risk in one assessment, low in another for the same hazard) suggest poor quality control.

Ensure Easy Accessibility

Inspectors expect to see risk assessments readily available on site. Digital systems that allow instant mobile access impress inspectors and demonstrate modern H&S management.

Modern Solution: Systems That Ensure Compliance

Automated risk assessment platforms build HSE compliance into every document by:

• Automatically citing relevant UK legislation
• Enforcing hierarchy of controls in suggested measures
• Using consistent risk rating methodology
• Recording competent person details automatically
• Scheduling automatic review reminders
• Providing instant mobile access for site inspections
• Maintaining complete audit trails

When an HSE inspector arrives, you can confidently provide professional, compliant documentation within seconds rather than scrambling through filing cabinets.

Key Takeaways

• HSE inspectors first verify risk assessments exist, are suitable and sufficient, cite correct legislation, follow control hierarchy, and were created by competent persons
• Common failures include desktop-only assessments, out-of-date documents, and no evidence of implementation
• Being inspection-ready requires rolling review schedules, complete audit trails, and consistent methodology
• Modern automated systems ensure compliance is built into every assessment

Don't wait for an inspection to discover gaps in your risk assessments. Make compliance a continuous process, not a scramble when the inspector arrives.