Who is this article for?

Users asked to perform a risk assessment.

Standard role is required.

Risk assessments allow your organisation to identify, document, and control hazards across different jobs, departments, or equipment.

This article guides you through best practices when submitting a form to help you create risk assessments that are easy to approve, track, and update.

1. Preparation

Before starting the form:

• Have basic information ready (job name, location, team members, hazards) before opening the form. This prevents stopping mid-entry to look up data.
• Review the job steps with colleagues who perform or supervise the work. Group input often catches hazards a single person might miss.
• Write descriptions in plain language so that someone unfamiliar with the task can understand the hazards and controls.

2. Completing the form

2.1. Assessment Details

When filling out this section:

• Give the assessment a clear, specific title like “Roof Inspection - West Building”. This makes searching and reporting much easier than a vague title such as “Inspection.”
• Complete the Description field with additional context, such as the purpose of the assessment, special conditions, or regulatory requirements. This helps reviewers understand the scope without digging through notes.
• Make sure everyone who contributed is listed and that the conducted date matches when the work was assessed, not when the form was filled out.

2.2. Job Steps

When filling out this section:

• List each meaningful action (e.g., “set up ladder,” “install roof brackets”) instead of combining them into one. This makes hazard identification more accurate.
• For every job step, think about physical, chemical, biological, and ergonomic risks. Use specific terms such as “slippery surface” rather than just “fall hazard.”
• Describe what could realistically happen if controls fail (for example, “chemical burn to skin” instead of “injury”).
• Use the organisation’s risk rating guide so scores are consistent, meaningful, comparable across assessments.

2.3. Control Measures

When filling out this section:

• Always connect each control measure to the job step it protects. This makes the assessment easier to follow during audits or reviews.
• Capture engineering controls (like machine guards), administrative controls (training, signage), and PPE. Listing multiple layers of control demonstrates a stronger risk reduction strategy.
• When entering adjusted severity or probability, briefly note why the control changes the rating. This helps reviewers understand the impact of your measures.
• If you assign follow-up actions, pick completion dates that are achievable and reflect the urgency of the risk.

3. Submitting the form

Once you've completed all the sections:

• Scan for missing fields, typos, or steps without hazards. A quick review avoids rework later.
• Save your work often if the assessment is complex or requires input from others.
• If unsure about a hazard or control, submit the draft for supervisor or EHS review rather than leaving it blank.