Risk Assessment Template free download
Editable UK risk assessment template — PDF — with a 5×5 risk matrix, hazard register, hierarchy-of-controls prompts and a competent-person sign-off block. Aligned with HSE guidance, MHSWR 1999 and CDM 2015.
What's inside the template
Every section a UK inspector or principal contractor expects to see.
- Activity & site information block
- 5×5 risk matrix with scoring legend
- Hazard register with hierarchy-of-controls prompts
- Persons-at-risk column (employees, contractors, public)
- Residual risk column — score after controls
- Action plan with owner and target date
- Competent-person sign-off block
- HSE-aligned references (MHSWR 1999, CDM 2015)
Who it's for
Built for UK workplaces — proportionate, practical, no jargon.
- Self-employed tradespeople
- Small construction contractors
- Site managers and supervisors
- Health & safety officers
- Facilities and office managers
- Subcontractors submitting RAMS to a principal contractor
Or build a site-specific risk assessment in under 5 minutes
The free template is a blank form — you supply every hazard and control. The Riskora builder gives you trade-specific hazard libraries, the hierarchy of controls baked in, residual-risk scoring and clean PDF/PDF downloads. The same document, structured and signed-off, in a fraction of the time.
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How to complete a UK risk assessment with this template
The Health and Safety Executive expects every assessment to be suitable and sufficient — proportionate to the risk and specific to the activity. Follow these seven steps and your assessment will satisfy that test.
- 1
Describe the activity
State the task, the location, the people involved and the equipment used. Generic descriptions are the most common reason an assessment is rejected.
- 2
Identify hazards
List every significant hazard the activity introduces. Walk the work area, consult the people doing the job, and check any existing accident records.
- 3
Decide who could be harmed
Employees, contractors, visitors, members of the public. Note any vulnerable groups (young workers, expectant mothers, lone workers).
- 4
Score the initial risk
Use the 5×5 matrix. Likelihood × severity gives a score between 1 and 25 — the higher the score, the higher the priority.
- 5
Apply the hierarchy of controls
Eliminate the hazard, substitute with something safer, add engineering controls, then administrative controls, with PPE as the last line of defence.
- 6
Re-score the residual risk
After controls, the score should drop into the green or yellow band. If it doesn't, add further controls or stop the work.
- 7
Sign off and review
A competent person must review and sign the assessment. Set a review date and review whenever the work changes or after any incident.
UK legal context — what the law actually requires
The duty to assess risk sits with the employer. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR) require a suitable and sufficient assessment of risks to workers and anyone else affected by the work. If you employ 5 or more people, the significant findings must be recorded in writing.
- MHSWR 1999, regulation 3 — the source of the "suitable and sufficient" test.
- CDM 2015 — adds specific assessment duties for construction work.
- COSHH 2002, Manual Handling Regs 1992, Noise Regs 2005, DSE Regs 1992 — require dedicated assessments alongside the general one.
- Competent person — the assessor must have the training, experience and knowledge to evaluate the specific activity.
References: HSE — Risk assessment · MHSWR 1999 reg. 3 · CDM 2015
Frequently asked questions
Is this risk assessment template really free?
Yes — the PDF versions are both free to download with no email required. Use them on as many jobs as you like.
Does the template meet UK HSE requirements?
The template is structured around the HSE 'suitable and sufficient' test and includes the sections you need to demonstrate compliance with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. It is a starting point — you must populate it with site-specific content and have it reviewed by a competent person before use.
What's the difference between this template and the Riskora builder?
The template is a blank form you fill in by hand. The Riskora builder gives you trade-specific hazard libraries, the hierarchy of controls baked into every hazard, residual-risk scoring, version history and clean PDF/PDF downloads — and produces the same document in minutes instead of an hour.
Can I edit the Word version?
Yes. The .docx file is a standard editable PDF document. It opens in Microsoft Word, Google Docs and Apple Pages.
Do I need a written risk assessment?
If you employ 5 or more people, UK law requires you to record the significant findings of your risk assessment in writing. Even below that threshold, written assessments are strongly recommended.
How often should risk assessments be reviewed?
Review when the work or workplace changes, after any incident or near-miss, when new information becomes available, and at least annually for ongoing activities.
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Download the template, or build yours in 5 minutes
Riskora is an assistive document preparation tool. All risk assessments must be reviewed and approved by a competent person before use.