Purpose
A risk assessment is the legal foundation of safe work on any construction site. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers must identify the hazards of a task, decide who might be harmed and how, evaluate the risk, and put suitable control measures in place. On site it usually sits alongside a method statement as part of your RAMS.
This template uses the standard 5x5 approach: score likelihood and severity from 1 to 5, multiply them for a risk rating, apply controls, then re-score the residual risk to confirm it is acceptable.
When to Use This Template
- Before starting any new task, activity or work phase on site
- As the risk assessment half of your RAMS documentation
- When a method of work, material, or site condition changes
- Following a near miss or incident involving the activity
- When new plant, equipment or substances are introduced
- At regular review intervals to keep assessments current
The Template
Risk Assessment
| Assessment Reference: | [RA-001] |
| Date of Assessment: | [DD/MM/YYYY] |
| Review Date: | [DD/MM/YYYY] |
| Project / Site: | [Enter project name and location] |
| Activity Assessed: | [e.g. Excavation of foundation trench] |
| Assessed By: | [Name, role, qualification] |
1. Risk Rating Matrix (Likelihood x Severity)
| Severity 1 | Severity 2 | Severity 3 | Severity 4 | Severity 5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Likelihood 5 | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Likelihood 4 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Likelihood 3 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Likelihood 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Likelihood 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Guide: 1 to 4 Low (green), 5 to 12 Medium (amber), 15 to 25 High (red). Severity 1 = minor first aid, 5 = fatality. Likelihood 1 = very unlikely, 5 = almost certain.
2. Hazard Assessment
| Hazard | Who is at Risk | Existing Controls | L | S | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [e.g. Trench collapse] | [Operatives, others nearby] | [Battering / shoring, inspection] | [2] | [5] | [10] |
| [e.g. Underground services] | [Operatives] | [CAT scan, service drawings, safe dig] | [2] | [4] | [8] |
| [Add rows as needed] |
3. Additional Control Measures
| Hazard | Further Action Required | Owner | Residual Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Hazard] | [e.g. Introduce trench box for depths over 1.2m] | [Name] | [4] |
4. PPE Required
[List the minimum PPE for this activity. E.g. "Hard hat, hi-vis, safety boots, gloves. Eye protection and dust mask when cutting."]
5. Sign-Off
| Role | Name | Signature | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessor | |||
| Approved By |
How to Customise This Template
- Assess each activity separately, do not combine unrelated tasks in one assessment
- Score the risk with existing controls in place, then add further controls and re-score the residual risk
- Follow the hierarchy of control: eliminate, substitute, engineering controls, administrative controls, then PPE as a last resort
- Name who is at risk specifically, including anyone nearby, visitors, and vulnerable persons
- Set a review date and reassess whenever the task, materials or site conditions change
- Communicate the findings to everyone involved, a toolbox talk is a good way to do this
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a construction risk assessment?
A construction risk assessment is a documented process that identifies the hazards of a task, decides who might be harmed and how, evaluates the level of risk, and records the control measures needed to reduce that risk to an acceptable level. It is a legal requirement under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
How does a 5x5 risk matrix work?
A 5x5 matrix scores likelihood from 1 to 5 and severity from 1 to 5, then multiplies them to give a risk rating out of 25. Ratings are usually banded as low (1 to 4), medium (5 to 12) and high (15 to 25), which tells you how urgently controls are needed.
What is the difference between a risk assessment and a method statement?
A risk assessment identifies hazards and the controls needed. A method statement sets out the step-by-step safe sequence for carrying out the work. Together they form RAMS (Risk Assessment and Method Statement), the standard safety document pairing on UK construction sites.
How often should a risk assessment be reviewed?
A risk assessment should be reviewed whenever the task, materials, plant or site conditions change, after any incident or near miss, and at regular intervals to make sure it stays current. There is no fixed period, but many sites review at least annually or per project phase.
What is residual risk?
Residual risk is the level of risk that remains after all reasonable control measures have been applied. A good risk assessment scores the risk before and after controls to show that the residual risk has been reduced to an acceptable level.
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