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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Slips, trips, and falls | Attendees, Staff – Sprains, fractures, injury | Conduct a pre-event site inspection to identify uneven surfaces, debris, or obstacles. Clearly mark hazards and ensure emergency routes are unobstructed. | High | Medium | B. Jones |
| Crowd management | Attendees, Staff – Stampedes, crushing, suffocation | Plan for expected crowd sizes. Provide adequate entrances, exits, and restroom facilities. Employ trained staff or marshals to manage the flow of people. | High | Medium | F. Wilson |
Benefits: Inspires volunteerism and civic engagement.; Supports local businesses and initiatives.; Provides entertainment and educational opportunities.
3. Risk assessment example: Mechanical Workshop
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falling objects from height | Participants – Head injuries, fractures, concussions | Ensure proper stacking of materials and provide storage shelves with barriers. Train participants to secure tools and equipment at height and provide hard hats for head protection. | Medium | Low | F. Wilson |
| Ergonomic strain injuries | Participants – Back pain, repetitive strain, musculoskeletal disorders | Provide adjustable workstations and encourage regular breaks to prevent strain. Train participants on proper posture and tool handling techniques to reduce ergonomic risks. | Medium | Low | C. Patel |
Benefits: Encourages safety awareness and responsible tool usage.; Develops technical and mechanical skills through hands-on projects.; Builds confidence through the successful completion of mechanical projects.
4. Risk assessment example: Environmental Clean-Up Initiative
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weather-related hazards (heat, cold, rain) | Participants – Heatstroke, hypothermia | Plan cleanup activities during suitable weather conditions. Provide regular hydration, encourage the use of sunblock, and ensure participants wear appropriate clothing for the weather. Establish emergency shelter spots. | Medium | Low | D. Ahmed |
| Insect bites or stings | Participants – Allergic reactions | Instruct participants to wear long sleeves and pants, and apply insect repellent. Keep first aid kits on hand with antihistamines for allergic reactions. | Medium | Low | H. Clark |
Benefits: Encourages respect and appreciation for the natural environment.; Fosters teamwork and collaborative effort in achieving common goals.; Builds a sense of accomplishment and pride in contributing to the community.
5. Risk assessment example: Painting and Decorating
| Hazard | Who might be harmed & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skin irritation from contact with paints and solvents | Workers – Rashes from chemical exposure, burns from harsh solvents, allergic reactions | Provide gloves, barrier creams, and washing facilities. Use low-volatile organic compound (VOC) paints where possible. Educate workers on minimizing skin contact and immediately washing off substances. | Medium | Low | F. Wilson |
| Unsafe structures | Workers – Falls from unstable scaffolds, injuries from structural collapse, damage to property | Conduct a structural integrity inspection before work begins, focusing on scaffolding, ladders, and other temporary structures. Only allow certified personnel to erect scaffolds. Install guardrails, toe boards, and stabilizers to ensure stability. Regularly inspect structures throughout the project. | High | Low | A. Smith |
Benefits: Facilitates customization and personalization of environments.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical safety for temporary setups | Staff, customers, contractors – Electric shock, electrocution, trip hazards | Use RCD protection, waterproof connectors, and PAT test appliances annually. Tape down or ramp cables in public zones. Train staff in isolating faulty equipment and record all checks at each event. | Medium | Low | K. Morgan |
| Sharp utensils and cutting equipment | Staff – Cuts, lacerations, puncture wounds | Store knives in cases or racks, keep blades sharp to avoid slips, and provide cut-resistant gloves. Train staff in safe handling and never leave knives unattended at venues. Inspect equipment after each job. | Medium | Low | B. Jones |
Benefits: Enhances event satisfaction through professional presentation and timing.; Reduces onsite disruption by centralizing prep and hygiene controls.; Supports dietary management with pre-planned menus and labeled allergens.
7. Risk assessment example: Museum/Educational Visit
| Hazard | Who & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Road crossings near the museum | Pupils, staff – Traffic accidents, falls | Pre-plan walking routes avoiding busy junctions. Cross only at controlled points. Position adults front/back and in the road to stop traffic when safe. Use high-vis gear and teach pupils safe crossing routines. | High | Medium | K. Morgan |
| Handling dangerous replicas (weight/fragility) | Pupils, staff – Injury, dropped objects | Limit replica use to small supervised groups. Place replicas on padded mats, train staff in safe handovers, and demonstrate lifting techniques. Remove damaged replicas promptly and record incidents. | High | Medium | C. Patel |
Benefits: Strengthens note taking, sketching, and question framing.; Brings history, science, and arts to life with authentic artefacts.; Enhances cultural capital and curiosity beyond the classroom.
8. Risk assessment example: Chemical hair services (colour, bleach, perms)
| Hazard | Who & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waste chemical handling and environmental exposure | Staff – Environmental contamination, skin exposure, inhalation risk | Collect residues in labelled, closed containers; never pour bulk oxidisers/reducers to drain. Follow local disposal rules, wear PPE when decanting, rinse bowls into a designated sink, and log volumes for audit. Train staff on spill control and environmental obligations. | Medium | Low | G. Taylor |
| 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 | G. Taylor |
Benefits: Delivers transformative results that can boost self-esteem and client satisfaction.; Encourages advanced technical skills and product knowledge development.; Expands service offerings, attracting a wider range of clientele.
9. Risk assessment example: Communal meals & coffee mornings
| Hazard | Who & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trips during serving | Guests, volunteers – Trips, falls, spills | Create a one-way system for food and drinks, avoid overcrowding at serving tables, and provide trays. Encourage guests to remain seated while servers circulate, and space out tables for movement. | Medium | Low | J. Lewis |
| Weather exposure outdoors | Guests, volunteers – Heatstroke, dehydration, cold injuries | Check forecasts before outdoor events, provide gazebos or shaded areas, and ensure water is available in hot weather. Grit or salt icy paths in winter and cancel or relocate if weather creates unsafe conditions. | Medium | Low | K. Morgan |
Benefits: Strengthens friendships and intergenerational connections.; 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lack of emergency exit awareness | All participants – Delays in evacuation, injuries during evacuation, panic | Conduct evacuation drills and ensure that exits are clearly marked and unobstructed. Brief participants and staff on emergency procedures. | Medium | Low | H. Clark |
| Falls from heights (gym equipment) | All participants – Injuries, fractures, concussions | Ensure all climbing or elevated equipment is used with safety mats. Supervise closely when participants are using elevated apparatus. | High | Low | G. Taylor |
Benefits: Enhances teamwork and cooperative strategies in indoor games.; Encourages discipline and adherence to game rules.; Provides a fun and engaging way to stay active indoors.
11. Risk assessment example: Electrical Maintenance and Installation
| Hazard | Who & how | -Control Measures | Risk before | Risk after | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Defective electrical equipment | Workers, building occupants – Electric shock, burns, equipment damage | Implement a preventive maintenance schedule to regularly inspect and test equipment. Remove defective equipment from service immediately. Maintain records of equipment status. | High | Low | F. Wilson |
| Inadequate qualifications/experience | Workers – Improper handling of equipment, increased risk of incidents, reduced work quality | Verify workers' qualifications before assigning tasks. Provide specialized training for high-risk or complex activities. Pair inexperienced workers with qualified supervisors. Maintain up-to-date training records. | High | Low | F. Wilson |
Benefits: Enhances energy efficiency and reduces utility costs.; Supports the integration of advanced electrical technologies.; Facilitates compliance with electrical codes and standards.
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.
