COSHH risk assessment: what it covers and what it doesn't
A COSHH risk assessment covers hazardous substances at work. Here's what's in scope, what isn't, and what HSE expects of the assessment.
Read more →
Guidance
Blog
Risk Assessment Resources
Clear, factual guides to risk assessment for UK workplaces — the HSE's five-step process, the risk assessment matrix, who can carry one out and how often to review it, plus the topic-specific assessments employers must do for stress, COSHH, manual handling, fire and more.
Guidance
DSE risk assessment: workstation duties for office, home and hybrid workers
A DSE risk assessment is required for anyone who uses a screen for an hour or more a day as a significant part of their job — including home and hybrid…
Read more →
Guidance
Dynamic risk assessment: what it is and when to use it
Dynamic risk assessment is the on-the-spot judgement workers make when conditions change. Here's where it came from, how it works, and where it fits wit…
Read more →
Guidance
Fire risk assessment: UK legal duties, the post-Grenfell framework, and what good looks like
Fire risk assessment in the UK has changed significantly since Grenfell. Here's the current legal framework, what a competent assessor does, and where m…
Read more →
Guidance
How often should a risk assessment be reviewed?
There is no fixed legal review period for a UK risk assessment. Here's what regulation 3 actually requires and the practical triggers that should drive…
Read more →
Guidance
Legionella risk assessment: UK duties for landlords, employers, and dutyholders
A legionella risk assessment is required for almost any premises with a water system. Here's what UK law requires, what HSE ACOP L8 expects, and the lan…
Read more →
Guidance
Lone working risk assessment: legal duties, control measures, and BS 8484
Lone working isn't covered by a specific UK regulation, but the duty to assess and control the risk is real. Here's what HSE expects and where most asse…
Read more →
Guidance
Manual handling risk assessment: TILE, the 25 kg myth, and how the duty actually works
A manual handling risk assessment is required where workers lift, lower, push, pull or carry loads. Here's the TILE method and why the 25 kg "limit" isn…
Read more →
Guidance
Pregnancy risk assessment: regulation 16, the Equality Act, and what employers must do
A pregnancy risk assessment is required when an employee tells you she's expecting. Here's what regulation 16 requires and how the Equality Act runs in…
Read more →
Guidance
RAMS explained: risk assessment and method statement
RAMS combines a risk assessment with a method statement into one construction-sector document. Here's what it covers, when you need one, and the limits…
Read more →
Guidance
The 5 steps to risk assessment: how to do one properly
A walk-through of the HSE's five-step risk assessment method, with a worked example and the points where most assessments fall short.
Read more →
Guidance
Risk assessment examples: three worked examples for UK workplaces
Three worked risk assessment examples for UK workplaces — office, warehouse and construction — showing what a completed assessment looks like in practice.
Read more →
Guidance
The risk assessment matrix: how it works and where it falls short
The 5x5 risk assessment matrix is the standard UK tool for scoring workplace hazards. Here's how it works, how to score it, and what it can't do.
Read more →
Guidance
Stress risk assessment: the HSE Management Standards and what employers must do
Work-related stress is a health and safety risk, not just a wellbeing issue. Here's what the HSE Management Standards require and where most stress asse…
Read more →
Guidance
What is a risk assessment? A guide to UK workplace law
A risk assessment is a structured look at what could cause harm at work. Here's what UK law requires, who must do one, and how the process actually works.
Read more →
Guidance
Who can carry out a risk assessment? The competence question explained
UK law requires risk assessments to be carried out by a "competent person". Here's what that means, when you need an external assessor, and the vertical…
Read more →
Guidance
Working at height risk assessment: the hierarchy, the 2m myth, and rescue planning
A working at height risk assessment must apply the avoid-prevent-mitigate hierarchy. Here's what UK law requires and where most assessments fall short.
Read more →
Guidance
Working from home risk assessment: the duty for home and hybrid workers
The duty to assess workplace risks doesn't shift to the worker just because the workstation is at home. Here's what employers must cover.
Read more →
Guidance
Young persons risk assessment: duties under regulation 19 and work experience
A young persons risk assessment is required for any worker under 18, with specific rules for work experience students and under-16s.
Read more →
Ready to get certified?
Get risk assessment certified in 90 minutes
Our RoSPA-approved, CPD-accredited course gives you an instant printable certificate the moment you pass — from just £14.