Free risk assessment templates

Risk Assessment
Templates

Browse risk assessment templates for construction, security, and facilities management. See what a professional risk assessment includes — or skip templates entirely and generate AI-powered risk assessments in under 2 minutes.

57+ ready-made templates
UK legislation referenced
Under 2 min with AI

What's Inside a Risk Assessment Template

Every professional risk assessment follows the same core structure. Here's what HSE inspectors expect to see.

Risk Assessment & Method Statement

Scaffold Erection — Commercial Building, Manchester

Generated by swiftRMS AI

1

Task Description & Scope

Clear description of the specific work activity, location, duration, and conditions. References the site address, client, and project phase.

2

Hazard Identification

Systematic identification of all hazards specific to this task. Falls from height, falling objects, scaffold collapse, weather exposure, manual handling of scaffold components, proximity to overhead power lines.

3

Risk Evaluation Matrix

Each hazard rated for likelihood × severity = risk score. Pre-control and post-control ratings show how measures reduce risk from high to acceptable levels.

4

Control Measures

Specific, actionable controls following the hierarchy: eliminate → substitute → engineer → admin → PPE. Not generic statements, but precise measures for this task on this site.

5

Method Statement

Step-by-step safe working procedure. Who does what, in what order, with what equipment. Includes pre-start checks, sequence of operations, and completion checks.

6

UK Legislation References

Automatic citation of relevant regulations: Work at Height Regulations 2005, CDM 2015, HASAWA 1974, BS EN 12811, TG20 compliance. Each citation linked to the specific duty it imposes.

7

PPE Requirements

Mandatory PPE with British/European standards: hard hat (EN 397), safety boots (EN ISO 20345), high-vis vest (EN 20471), harness (EN 361) where required.

8

Emergency Procedures

Site-specific emergency contacts, evacuation routes, first aid arrangements, and rescue plan for working at height incidents.

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Construction Risk Assessment Templates

Templates covering CDM 2015 requirements for common construction activities

Working at Height

Scaffold erection, roof work, ladder use, MEWPs, and edge protection

Key Hazards

Falls from heightFalling objectsScaffold collapseFragile surfacesWeather conditions

Legislation Referenced

Work at Height Regulations 2005CDM 2015HASAWA 1974
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Excavation & Groundworks

Trenching, foundations, drainage, ground investigation, and underground services

Key Hazards

Trench collapseBuried services (gas/electric/water)FloodingVehicle proximityManual handling

Legislation Referenced

CDM 2015HASAWA 1974MHSWR 1999
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Hot Works

Welding, grinding, brazing, cutting, and other ignition sources on site

Key Hazards

FireBurnsToxic fumesUV radiationExplosion risk

Legislation Referenced

RRFSO 2005COSHH 2002HASAWA 1974
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Demolition

Structural demolition, soft strip, asbestos removal, and site clearance

Key Hazards

Structural collapseAsbestos exposureDust inhalationFalling debrisNoise

Legislation Referenced

CDM 2015CAR 2012Control of Noise at Work 2005
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Electrical Installation

First fix, second fix, testing, and commissioning of electrical systems

Key Hazards

Electric shockArc flashFireCable strikesBurns

Legislation Referenced

Electricity at Work Regulations 1989BS 7671HASAWA 1974
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Lifting Operations

Crane operations, forklift use, manual handling, and mechanical lifting

Key Hazards

Dropped loadsCrane overturningCrushingStruck by loadsRigging failure

Legislation Referenced

LOLER 1998PUWER 1998CDM 2015
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Confined Spaces

Tanks, vessels, sewers, voids, and enclosed work areas

Key Hazards

Oxygen depletionToxic atmosphereDrowningEntrapmentFire/explosion

Legislation Referenced

Confined Spaces Regulations 1997HASAWA 1974MHSWR 1999
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Manual Handling

Lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling operations on site

Key Hazards

Back injuryMusculoskeletal disordersDropped loadsSlip/tripFatigue

Legislation Referenced

Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992HASAWA 1974
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Solar Panel Installation

PV panel installation, roof mounting, and electrical connection for solar systems

Key Hazards

Falls from heightElectrical shockManual handlingWeather conditionsFragile roof surfaces

Legislation Referenced

Work at Height Regs 2005Electricity at Work Regs 1989CDM 2015
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Scaffolding Erection

Erection, alteration, and dismantling of scaffold structures

Key Hazards

Falls from heightScaffold collapseFalling objectsManual handlingStruck by components

Legislation Referenced

Work at Height Regs 2005CDM 2015HASAWA 1974
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Bricklaying & Blockwork

Bricklaying, blockwork, and masonry construction activities

Key Hazards

Manual handlingFalls from scaffoldCement burnsDust inhalationStruck by materials

Legislation Referenced

CDM 2015COSHH 2002Manual Handling Regs 1992
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Concreting

Concrete pouring, formwork, and finishing operations

Key Hazards

Cement burnsManual handlingVehicle movementsFormwork collapseDrowning in wet concrete

Legislation Referenced

CDM 2015COSHH 2002HASAWA 1974
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Bathroom Installation

Plumbing, tiling, and fitting of bathroom suites

Key Hazards

Slips on wet surfacesElectrical near waterManual handlingCOSHH substancesDust from tiling

Legislation Referenced

HASAWA 1974COSHH 2002Electricity at Work Regs 1989
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Boiler Replacement

Removal and installation of gas boilers and heating systems

Key Hazards

Gas leakCarbon monoxideBurnsElectrical shockManual handling

Legislation Referenced

Gas Safety Regs 1998HASAWA 1974Building Regs Part J
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Tree Surgery

Tree felling, pruning, and arboricultural operations

Key Hazards

Falls from heightChainsaw injuryStruck by branchesElectrocution from overhead linesChipper entanglement

Legislation Referenced

Work at Height Regs 2005PUWER 1998HASAWA 1974
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Asbestos Removal

Licensed and non-licensed asbestos removal and encapsulation

Key Hazards

Asbestos fibre inhalationContamination spreadSkin contactWaste handlingDecontamination failure

Legislation Referenced

Control of Asbestos Regs 2012COSHH 2002HASAWA 1974
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Traffic Management

Temporary traffic management, road closures, and signing

Key Hazards

Vehicle strikePedestrian safetyNight workingManual handling of barriersNoise

Legislation Referenced

NRSWA 1991Traffic Signs Manual Ch 8HASAWA 1974
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EV Charger Installation

Electric vehicle charger installation and cable routing

Key Hazards

Electrical shockTrenching for cablesManual handlingWorking in car parksUnderground services

Legislation Referenced

Electricity at Work Regs 1989BS 7671CDM 2015
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Security Risk Assessment Templates

Templates for SIA-compliant security operations and Martyn's Law assessments

Door Supervision

Nightclub, bar, and venue door security operations

Key Hazards

Physical assaultVerbal abuseLone workingCrowd crushWeapons

Legislation Referenced

SIA Approved Contractor SchemeHASAWA 1974Licensing Act 2003
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Event Security

Concerts, festivals, sporting events, and public gatherings

Key Hazards

Crowd managementTerrorism threatMedical emergenciesFireStructural failure

Legislation Referenced

Martyn's LawHASAWA 1974RRFSO 2005SIA ACS
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Mobile Patrol

Vehicle patrols, alarm response, and keyholding services

Key Hazards

Lone workingConfrontationVehicle accidentsDog attacksTrespass

Legislation Referenced

SIA ACSHASAWA 1974MHSWR 1999
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Static Guarding

Fixed-point security guarding for construction sites and premises

Key Hazards

ConfrontationLone workingVehicle movementsTrespassersDog attacks

Legislation Referenced

SIA ACSHASAWA 1974MHSWR 1999
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Close Protection

Personal protection, advance security, and secure transportation

Key Hazards

Physical assaultVehicle incidentsCrowd situationsHostile surveillanceMedical emergencies

Legislation Referenced

SIA ACSHASAWA 1974Private Security Industry Act 2001
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CCTV Monitoring

CCTV operation, monitoring centres, and surveillance systems

Key Hazards

DSE strainLone workingSedentary workStress from incidentsElectrical hazards

Legislation Referenced

SIA ACSGDPR 2018DSE Regulations 1992
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Retail Security

In-store security, loss prevention, and customer-facing operations

Key Hazards

Physical assaultVerbal abuseNeedle stick injuryLone workingCrowd management

Legislation Referenced

SIA ACSHASAWA 1974PACE 1984
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Martyn's Law Assessment

Terrorism risk assessment for publicly accessible locations

Key Hazards

Terrorism threatCrowd crushVehicle attackHostile reconnaissanceCommunication failure

Legislation Referenced

Terrorism (Protection of Premises) ActHASAWA 1974RRFSO 2005
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Facilities Management Risk Assessment Templates

Templates for office, cleaning, and building maintenance risk assessments

Office Risk Assessment

General office work, DSE assessments, and workplace safety

Key Hazards

Slips and tripsDSE strainFireElectricalManual handling

Legislation Referenced

HASAWA 1974DSE Regulations 1992RRFSO 2005
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Cleaning Operations

Commercial cleaning, COSHH substances, and working at height for cleaning tasks

Key Hazards

Chemical exposureSlips on wet surfacesFalls from stepsManual handlingSharps

Legislation Referenced

COSHH 2002HASAWA 1974Work at Height Regulations 2005
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Maintenance & Repair

Building maintenance, HVAC, plumbing, and general repairs

Key Hazards

Working at heightElectricalAsbestos disturbanceManual handlingConfined spaces

Legislation Referenced

HASAWA 1974CDM 2015PUWER 1998Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
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Window Cleaning

Internal and external window cleaning at height

Key Hazards

Falls from heightFalling equipmentCradle failureWeather conditionsPublic below

Legislation Referenced

Work at Height Regs 2005LOLER 1998HASAWA 1974
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Fire Safety Management

Fire risk assessment, evacuation planning, and fire safety management

Key Hazards

FireSmoke inhalationBlocked escape routesFaulty alarmsElectrical faults

Legislation Referenced

RRFSO 2005HASAWA 1974BS 5839
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Water Hygiene L8

Legionella risk assessment and water hygiene management

Key Hazards

Legionella bacteriaScaldingChemical exposureConfined space entrySlip hazards

Legislation Referenced

ACOP L8HSG274COSHH 2002
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HVAC Servicing

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning maintenance and servicing

Key Hazards

Working at height (roof units)Refrigerant exposureElectrical shockManual handlingConfined spaces

Legislation Referenced

F-Gas RegulationsElectricity at Work Regs 1989Work at Height Regs 2005
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Pest Control

Pest management, rodent control, and fumigation operations

Key Hazards

Chemical exposureBites and stingsConfined spacesLeptospirosisManual handling

Legislation Referenced

COSHH 2002HASAWA 1974Food Safety Act 1990
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Templates vs AI-Generated Risk Assessments

Generic templates get you started. AI gets you finished.

Generic Templates

Downloadable PDFs and Word docs

  • One-size-fits-all hazard lists
  • Generic control measures
  • No site-specific information
  • Manual editing required (2-4 hours)
  • May miss relevant legislation
  • Same content as competitors
  • Often outdated regulations
  • No risk scoring methodology

AI-Generated RAMS

swiftRMS — under 2 minutes

  • Task-specific hazard identification
  • Tailored control measures for your job
  • Your site address and conditions included
  • Complete in under 2 minutes
  • Automatic UK legislation citations
  • Unique content every time
  • Always current regulations
  • Built-in risk scoring matrix

How to Write a Risk Assessment

Whether you use a template or AI, every risk assessment follows these 5 steps.

1

Identify the hazards

Walk through the task mentally or physically. What could cause harm? Consider physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, and environmental hazards. Use the template categories above as a starting point.

2

Decide who might be harmed and how

Workers, visitors, contractors, members of the public? Consider how — injury type, severity, and who is most at risk. Don't forget vulnerable groups, lone workers, and people with disabilities.

3

Evaluate the risks and decide on controls

Rate each hazard for likelihood and severity. Apply the hierarchy of control: eliminate, substitute, engineer, admin, PPE. Document specific control measures — not generic statements like 'take care'.

4

Record your findings and implement

Write it down. If you have 5 or more employees, you must record the significant findings. Brief your team, put controls in place, and make sure everyone knows their responsibilities.

5

Review and update regularly

Risk assessments aren't one-off documents. Review when conditions change, after incidents, when new equipment or substances are introduced, or at least annually.

Or skip the manual process entirely.

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Risk Assessment FAQs

Is a risk assessment a legal requirement in the UK?

Yes. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, every employer must carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of risks to employees and others affected by their work. If you have 5 or more employees, you must record the significant findings.

What's the difference between a risk assessment and a method statement?

A risk assessment identifies hazards and evaluates the level of risk. A method statement describes the step-by-step safe working procedure. Together they form a RAMS document. For high-risk tasks you'll also need a Safe System of Work. Read more

Can I use a generic risk assessment template?

As a starting point, yes. But the HSE is clear that risk assessments must be specific to your task, workplace, and workers. A generic template that isn't adapted to your actual conditions won't protect you during an inspection or in court.

How often should risk assessments be reviewed?

There's no set frequency in law, but you should review when: conditions change, after an incident, when new equipment or substances are introduced, when the workforce changes significantly, or at least annually as good practice.

Who is qualified to write a risk assessment?

A 'competent person' — someone with sufficient training, experience, knowledge, and other qualities to carry out the assessment. There's no specific qualification required, but for high-risk activities, professional guidance (e.g., from a CMIOSH) is recommended.

What legislation should a risk assessment reference?

At minimum: HASAWA 1974 and MHSWR 1999. Depending on the activity, you may also need CDM 2015, Work at Height Regulations 2005, COSHH 2002, PUWER 1998, LOLER 1998, Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, and task-specific regulations. Our AI automatically identifies and cites relevant legislation.

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