Free risk assessment templates
Free Risk Assessment Template
PDF, Word & Excel
Download a free UK risk assessment template in PDF, Word, or Excel: the hazard table with a 5x5 risk matrix, control measures, PPE, emergency arrangements and a sign-off record. No email needed. Or skip the blank page and generate a filled-in RAMS in under 2 minutes.
Need a RAMS template (risk assessment + method statement)? Get the free RAMS template →
Or get it filled in by AI, free- Templates
- 57+ ready-made templates
- Legislation
- UK legislation referenced
- Speed
- Under 2 min with AI
Free, no email required
Download the free risk assessment template
A blank risk assessment form in 15 sections: the 5x5 hazard table, control measures, competence, PPE, COSHH, permits, welfare, first aid, monitoring, legislation and the operative briefing record, with a method statement section if you need it. Pick your format — the Word and Excel versions are fully editable.
Working in a specific trade? Start from a trade template:
Or skip the blank page — generate a filled-in RAMS for your exact task in 2 minutes →
RISK ASSESSMENT & METHOD STATEMENT
Project title
PROJECT
SITE ADDRESS
CLIENT
PREPARED BY
DATE
REVIEW DATE
4. HAZARDS AND CONTROLS
5x5 RISK MATRIX
METHOD STATEMENT
PPE
EMERGENCY ARRANGEMENTS
The blank form, as downloaded. Every section, ready to fill in.
Anatomy of a RAMS
What's Inside a Risk Assessment Template
Every professional risk assessment follows the same core structure. Here's what HSE inspectors expect to see.
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.
AI generates all 8 sections in under 2 minutes
Try it freeFree, no email required
Templates for every document on site
The same blank, consultant-standard format as the RAMS template above, for the other documents a UK site needs. Free, no email required.
Construction
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
Legislation referenced
Excavation & Groundworks
Trenching, foundations, drainage, ground investigation, and underground services
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Hot Works
Welding, grinding, brazing, cutting, and other ignition sources on site
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Demolition
Structural demolition, soft strip, asbestos removal, and site clearance
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Electrical Installation
First fix, second fix, testing, and commissioning of electrical systems
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Lifting Operations
Crane operations, forklift use, manual handling, and mechanical lifting
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Confined Spaces
Tanks, vessels, sewers, voids, and enclosed work areas
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Manual Handling
Lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling operations on site
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Solar Panel Installation
PV panel installation, roof mounting, and electrical connection for solar systems
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Scaffolding Erection
Erection, alteration, and dismantling of scaffold structures
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Bricklaying & Blockwork
Bricklaying, blockwork, and masonry construction activities
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Concreting
Concrete pouring, formwork, and finishing operations
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Bathroom Installation
Plumbing, tiling, and fitting of bathroom suites
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Boiler Replacement
Removal and installation of gas boilers and heating systems
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Tree Surgery
Tree felling, pruning, and arboricultural operations
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Asbestos Removal
Licensed and non-licensed asbestos removal and encapsulation
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Traffic Management
Temporary traffic management, road closures, and signing
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
EV Charger Installation
Electric vehicle charger installation and cable routing
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Security
Security Risk Assessment Templates
Templates for SIA-licensed security operations. Martyn's Law terrorism risk assessments are coming soon.
Door Supervision
Nightclub, bar, and venue door security operations
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Event Security
Concerts, festivals, sporting events, and public gatherings
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Mobile Patrol
Vehicle patrols, alarm response, and keyholding services
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Static Guarding
Fixed-point security guarding for construction sites and premises
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Close Protection
Personal protection, advance security, and secure transportation
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
CCTV Monitoring
CCTV operation, monitoring centres, and surveillance systems
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Retail Security
In-store security, loss prevention, and customer-facing operations
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Facilities management
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
Legislation referenced
Cleaning Operations
Commercial cleaning, COSHH substances, and working at height for cleaning tasks
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Maintenance & Repair
Building maintenance, HVAC, plumbing, and general repairs
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Window Cleaning
Internal and external window cleaning at height
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Fire Safety Management
Fire risk assessment, evacuation planning, and fire safety management
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Water Hygiene L8
Legionella risk assessment and water hygiene management
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
HVAC Servicing
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning maintenance and servicing
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Pest Control
Pest management, rodent control, and fumigation operations
Key hazards
Legislation referenced
Templates or AI
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
Under 2 minutesswiftRMS — 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
Five steps
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. Our RAMS software handles all five steps with AI-powered generation.
Generate with AI in 2 minutesAn honest comparison
Which Risk Assessment Tool Should You Use?
The templates on this page are free and always will be. They are the right tool for some jobs and the wrong tool for others — here is an honest comparison.
Free templates (this page)
A blank, trade-specific form you complete yourself, as PDF or editable Word, with no email required. Best when you carry out the same task repeatedly and only the site details change. You identify every hazard and set every risk rating yourself, and the most common failing is a template reused without editing — which will not meet the 'suitable and sufficient' test in MHSWR 1999 Regulation 3.
A health and safety consultant
Someone writes the assessments for you, charged per document or on retainer. The right answer for demolition, asbestos, confined space and other high-hazard work where a competent person's judgement is required. Slower when a principal contractor wants RAMS before Monday morning.
Risk assessment software
swiftRMS generates a task-specific risk assessment from a plain-English description in under two minutes, with the 5×5 matrix applied before and after controls, UK legislation referenced against each hazard, and your company branding on the PDF. Unlimited RAMS, COSHH, safe systems of work and HAVs assessments from £49 per month, with a 14-day free trial. EcoOnline, SafetyCulture and HandsHQ cover similar ground inside larger EHS platforms, generally aimed at organisations with an existing safety team.
As a rule of thumb: if you produce fewer than one risk assessment a month, the free templates above are enough. If you are writing them on every job and a principal contractor is rejecting generic paperwork, software will cost less per document than the time you currently spend editing templates.
FAQ
Risk Assessment FAQs
Is there a free risk assessment template to download?
Yes. You can download our free risk assessment template at the top of this page in PDF, Word, and Excel formats, with no email needed. Each is a blank, ready-to-complete form covering project and site details, scope, personnel competence, the hazard table with a 5x5 risk matrix, method statement, plant and equipment, PPE, COSHH substances, permits, welfare, first aid and emergency arrangements, monitoring, legislation, and a sign-off and operative briefing record.
What format is the risk assessment template — PDF, Word or Excel?
All three. The PDF is ready to print or share; the Word (.docx) and Excel (.xlsx) versions are fully editable so you can adapt the hazards, controls, and site details to your own work. The Excel version puts the 5x5 risk matrix in a spreadsheet with likelihood, severity, and residual risk columns.
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.
Related Guides
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