How to Use a Risk Assessment Form

Using a risk assessment form involves a systematic approach to identify, assess, and manage risks within your organisation. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to use a risk assessment form effectively:

1. Familiarise Yourself with the Form: Review the risk assessment form and become familiar with its structure, sections, and the information it requires. Understand the purpose of each section and the types of information you need to provide.
2. Identify Hazards and Risks: Identify and list the potential hazards or risks associated with your organization's activities, processes, or specific projects. Consider sources such as past incidents, industry best practices, regulatory requirements, and employee feedback. Use the form's designated section to record these identified risks.
3. Assess the Risks: Evaluate the identified risks based on their likelihood of occurrence and potential impact. Use the provided criteria or rating system on the form to assess each risk. Determine the level of risk by considering both likelihood and impact.
4. Determine Existing Controls: Assess and document the existing controls or measures already in place to manage or mitigate each risk. Identify any control gaps or areas where additional measures may be needed. This step helps you understand the effectiveness of current risk management practices.
5. Evaluate the Risk Level: Combine the assessments of likelihood, impact, and existing controls to determine the overall risk level for each identified risk. Some forms may include a calculation or scoring method to determine the final risk rating or level.
6. Prioritise Risks: Prioritize the risks based on their level of severity or significance. This prioritization helps in allocating resources and attention to the most critical risks. You may use a separate section on the form to indicate the prioritization or create a separate summary of high-priority risks.
7. Develop Mitigation Strategies: Identify and document appropriate measures or actions to manage or control the identified risks. This could involve implementing new controls, improving existing ones, or developing contingency plans. Use the form to record the mitigation strategies or create a separate action plan.
8. Implement and Monitor: Implement the identified mitigation strategies and monitor their effectiveness. Assign responsibilities, establish timelines, and track progress in the form or associated action plan. Continuously monitor risks and review the effectiveness of the implemented measures.
9. Regular Review and Update: Regularly review and update the risk assessment form as needed. Conduct periodic reassessments to identify new risks, review changes in risk levels, or adjust mitigation strategies based on evolving circumstances.

To assist with this task select and download any or all the templates within the Health & Safety subscription at Risk Assessment Form Templates 

Remember, a risk assessment form is a tool to guide your risk management process. Customise the form to fit your organisation's specific needs, ensure the collected information is accurate and up-to-date, and involve relevant stakeholders throughout the process. Seek guidance from risk management professionals or industry experts to enhance the effectiveness of your risk assessment using the form.