Free template
Risk assessment template for contractors
Create a site-specific risk assessment from a description of the job. Suggested hazards and controls, reviewed by you — no blank tables.
Likelihood
| 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Severity
LowMediumHighVery high
Your organisation can configure its preferred matrix. HSE doesn't require one.
The five steps, applied to a job
HSE sets out five steps to managing risk. Here's how they map to what you do in the tool:
- Identify hazards — describe the job; we suggest the activities and hazards involved, each with the reason.
- Assess the risks — confirm who could be harmed and, if you use one, the likelihood and severity.
- Control the risks — tick the controls you'll use, grouped from removing the hazard down to PPE.
- Record your findings — download a clean PDF with the risk table and method.
- Review the controls — revisit when the job, site or team changes.
HSE's advice is not to rely purely on paperwork — the point is to control the risks in practice. A clear, job-specific document makes that easier to brief.
Questions
- Do I have to write my risk assessment down?
- HSE says employers with five or more employees must record the significant findings: the hazards, who might be harmed and how, and what you're doing to control the risks. Writing it down is good practice for smaller businesses too.
- Do I need a 5×5 risk matrix?
- No. HSE doesn't require a scoring matrix. Many contractors and clients use one, so we offer an optional 5×5 likelihood × severity rating that your organisation can change.
- Is this suitable for office or retail risk assessments?
- This tool is built for contractors and field work. For general workplace assessments, HSE publishes its own template and examples.