Risk Assessment Guidance

What is a Risk Assessment?

A risk assessment is a document that identifies potential hazards when carrying out specific tasks and the possible harm they could cause. It also records control measures that can either eliminate or reduce risks to an acceptable level.

Why Should Risk Assessments Be Carried Out?

  • Legal Duty of Care: Companies have a legal obligation to protect the health and safety of employees, contractors, and the public under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

  • Insurance & Liability: Documented risk assessments demonstrate due diligence, helping companies secure insurance and defend against claims if an incident occurs.

  • Proactive Safety Management: Identifying and mitigating risks ensures a safer environment for all involved.

How to Complete a Risk Assessment

1. Identify the Hazards

  • List all possible ways someone could get injured while carrying out the task.

  • Focus on realistic and relevant hazards.

2. Assess the Risk

  • Identify who could be harmed and how severe the harm could be.

  • Use a Risk Matrix (detailed below) to assign a risk score.

3. Control the Risks

  • Implement control measures to eliminate or reduce risk to an acceptable level.

  • Examples:

    • Ensuring only trained individuals perform tasks

    • Using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

    • Implementing fall protection measures

  • Rescore the risk after implementing controls.

4. Record Your Findings

  • Document the assessment so that it can be used for training and compliance.

  • Ensure accessibility for insurers, regulators, and internal teams.

5. Review and Update Regularly

  • Risk assessments should be live documents, updated as needed.

  • Key review triggers:

    • Annually

    • Major changes to location, equipment, or procedures

    • Changes in legislation

    • Increase in accidents or severity of incidents

Note: Reviewing does not always mean changes are required; it ensures the assessment remains relevant and sufficient.

Risk Matrix: How to Score Risk Levels

A Risk Matrix assigns a score by multiplying the likelihood of an incident occurring by the severity of injury.

Risk / Priority Indicator Matrix

Severity (Consequence) Scale

  1. Negligible – Minor delay only

  2. Slight – Minor injury/damage/interruption

  3. Moderate – Lost time injury, illness, damage, lost business

  4. High – Major injury/damage, business interruption, disablement

  5. Very High – Fatality, business closure

Likelihood Scale

  1. Improbable – Very unlikely

  2. Unlikely – Uncommon occurrence

  3. Even Chance – May happen

  4. Likely – Probable

  5. Almost Certain – Imminent

Control Measures: Reducing Risk Levels

If a hazard is classified as High or Medium Risk, control measures must be implemented:

  1. Elimination: Can the activity be removed, adjusted, or relocated to eliminate the risk entirely?

  2. Prevention: Can barriers, safety guards, or other measures be added to prevent injury?

  3. Reduction: Can the severity of injury be minimised (e.g., reducing height, adding fall protection)?

  4. PPE Use: Is personal protective equipment (e.g., safety harnesses, buoyancy aids) necessary?

By following these steps, event operators can maintain a safe environment, meet legal obligations, and reduce liability risks effectively.