The short version
- Employers must identify hazards and control the risks.
- With five or more employees, you must write it down.
- Make each assessment specific to the job.
Main contractors ask for risk assessments before you can start. Many trades download a generic one and change the name at the top. That satisfies nobody when something goes wrong.
What the law asks
Employers must identify hazards, assess the risk and control it. If you employ five or more people, you must record the significant findings. That record covers the hazards, who might be harmed and how, and the control measures.1
On construction projects, contractors must also plan, manage and monitor their work. They must check workers have the right skills, and provide site induction, supervision and welfare.2
A format you can copy
| Hazard | Who could be harmed, and how | Controls | Who, by when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall from scaffold edge | Workers: serious injury | Guard rails checked daily. Harness where rails are removed | Site lead, before start |
| Silica dust from cutting | Workers: lung disease | Water suppression. Fit-tested masks | All cutters, daily |
| Falling materials | Public: head injury | Exclusion zone and netting | Site lead, day one |
| Hidden asbestos | Workers: long-term disease | Check survey before drilling | Supervisor, before start |
How to make it specific
- Walk the site first, even for ten minutes.
- Name the actual street access, roof or room.
- Note neighbours, children, pets and passing traffic.
- Ask the people doing the work what worries them.
- Update it if the job changes.
Working at height
HSE sets a clear order. Avoid work at height where you reasonably can. If you cannot, prevent falls. If you still cannot, reduce the distance and the consequences of a fall.3 Write your choice into the assessment.
Common questions
Do I legally need a written risk assessment?
If you employ five or more people you must record the significant findings. Smaller firms must still assess risk, and clients often ask for it in writing.
Sources
- Managing risks and risk assessment at work, Health and Safety Executive. Accessed 11 November 2026.
- CDM 2015: contractors, Health and Safety Executive. Accessed 11 November 2026.
- Work at height, Health and Safety Executive. Accessed 11 November 2026.
General information only. This is not legal, insurance or financial advice. Your own policy wording decides what is covered.