Likelihood × severity
The 5×5 Risk Matrix, Done Properly
Every hazard is scored for likelihood and severity, giving a risk rating from 1 to 25. Controls are then applied and the residual risk re-scored — so the document shows the risk before and after your control measures.
- 1
Score the initial risk
AI rates each hazard's likelihood (1–5) and severity (1–5). Likelihood × severity gives the risk rating — a 25 means stop, a 4 means proceed with care.
- 2
Apply the hierarchy of controls
Control measures are written for each hazard, following the hierarchy of controls — eliminate and substitute first, PPE last. Each control cites the regulation that requires it.
- 3
Re-score the residual risk
With controls in place, each hazard is scored again. The residual rating shows the risk is reduced as low as reasonably practicable — exactly what an HSE inspector or auditor looks for.
The colour-coded matrix appears in every exported PDF and Word document.
One risk engine
Every Assessment Type, One Task Description
One risk engine feeds a whole document family. Describe the task once and generate whichever assessments the job needs.
General risk assessments
Task-based workplace risk assessments for any UK business activity — the suitable and sufficient assessments MHSWR 1999 requires.
Free templatesRAMS
Risk assessment plus method statement in one document — the format principal contractors and clients ask for on site.
RAMS softwareCOSHH assessments
Hazardous substance assessments under COSHH 2002 — exposure routes, control measures, and PPE for every substance.
COSHH softwareManual handling
TILE-based assessments under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations — task, individual, load, and environment.
Manual handling guideHAVS assessments
Hand-arm vibration exposure assessments with EAV/ELV exposure points for tools and plant.
See an exampleSafe systems of work
Step-by-step SSOW procedures with sign-off — the working method that puts your control measures into practice.
SSOW software
Also generates construction phase plans and permits to work for jobs that need them.
Who it's for
Who Uses swiftRMS?
Any UK organisation that must produce suitable and sufficient risk assessments — from sole traders to multi-site safety teams.
Construction
CDM 2015-referenced risk assessments and RAMS for principal contractors, subcontractors, and site managers.
Security
Risk assessments for door supervision, event security, mobile patrol, and manned guarding operations.
Facilities management
Consistent assessments across multi-site portfolios — maintenance, contractors, and building operations.
Councils & local authorities
Audit-ready assessments for parks, highways, events, and public services, with approvals and version history.
Rolling it out across a team?
The Business plan (£399/month, up to 10 users) adds approval workflows and a full audit trail — managers approve, operatives sign, every action timestamped. Teams of 10+ can talk to us about Enterprise.
The legal standard
“Suitable and Sufficient” — What the Law Actually Requires
Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, every UK employer must assess the risks their work creates — and the assessment must be suitable and sufficient: proportionate to the risk, specific to the task, and covering everyone who could be harmed. A generic template downloaded from Google rarely clears that bar.
Legislation cited automatically
Every assessment cites the regulations that apply to the specific task — not a boilerplate list. Controls reference the regulation that requires them, so the document stands up to principal contractor reviews and HSE scrutiny.
- MHSWR 1999
- HASAWA 1974
- CDM 2015
- COSHH 2002
- PUWER 1998
- Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992
Three steps
How It Works
If you can describe the job, you can draft the assessment. Your competent person reviews and approves it before it's used.
Step 1
Describe the task
Write a plain-English description of the work — what's being done, where, and by whom. No forms, no dropdown mazes.
Step 2
AI drafts the assessment
Hazards identified, each scored on the 5×5 matrix, control measures written, and UK legislation cited — in around 2 minutes.
Step 3
Review, approve, export
Check it reflects your site conditions, edit anything, then export a branded PDF or Word document ready to sign and submit.
A health and safety consultant typically charges £300–500 a day.
swiftRMS Pro is £49/month for unlimited risk assessments, RAMS, COSHH, manual handling, HAVS, and SSOW documents — less than an hour of consultant time.
FAQ
Risk Assessment Software FAQ
What is risk assessment software?
Risk assessment software helps you produce workplace risk assessments digitally instead of writing them from scratch in Word. swiftRMS goes further: you describe the task in plain English, and AI identifies the hazards, scores each one for likelihood and severity on a 5×5 matrix, writes control measures, and cites the relevant UK legislation. The result is a suitable and sufficient assessment you review, approve, and export as a branded PDF or Word document.
Is AI risk assessment legally acceptable in the UK?
Yes. UK law requires that your risk assessment is suitable and sufficient — it does not prescribe how the document is produced. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 place the duty on the employer, so a competent person must review and approve the assessment before it is used. swiftRMS drafts the assessment with hazards, scoring, controls, and legislation cited; you check it reflects your actual task and site conditions, then sign it off. Your legal duty stays with you — the software just removes the hours of writing.
What is the difference between risk assessment software and RAMS software?
A risk assessment identifies hazards, scores them, and sets control measures. A RAMS (Risk Assessment Method Statement) combines that risk assessment with a method statement — the step-by-step sequence of how the work will be carried out safely. RAMS are the standard requirement on construction sites and for contractor approval. swiftRMS produces both: standalone risk assessments for any workplace task, and full RAMS where a client or principal contractor requires one. See the RAMS software page.
Can it do COSHH and manual handling assessments?
Yes. As well as general risk assessments and RAMS, swiftRMS generates COSHH assessments under the COSHH Regulations 2002, manual handling assessments using the TILE method, HAVS (hand-arm vibration) assessments with EAV/ELV exposure points, safe systems of work, construction phase plans, and permits to work — all from the same task description.
How much does risk assessment software cost?
swiftRMS Pro is £49/month for unlimited risk assessments, RAMS, COSHH, manual handling, HAVS, and SSOW documents. Business is £399/month for up to 10 users and adds team features: approval workflows and a full audit trail. Enterprise covers teams of 10+ users. Every plan starts with a 14-day free trial, and you can preview a real generated document without signing up.
Your Next Risk Assessment, in About 2 Minutes
Describe the task. Get a suitable and sufficient assessment with a 5×5 risk matrix, control measures, and UK legislation cited. Preview a real document before you sign up.
14-day free trial. Pro £49/month unlimited. Business £399/month for teams.