A risk assessment isn't optional — it's a legal requirement under MHSWR 1999 for virtually every employer in the UK. We produce clear, actionable, inspection-standard risk assessments built around your actual tasks, your team, and your workplace.
"An employer shall make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to which his employees are exposed whilst they are at work."
Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1999, Regulation 3(1)HSE inspectors routinely ask for risk assessments during site visits and inspections. The absence of a suitable assessment — or one that is clearly generic and non-specific — can result in:
• Improvement or prohibition notices
• Prosecution under HSWA 1974 s2 or s3
• Unlimited fines in Crown Court
• Civil liability if an employee is injured
• Insurance claims being disputed or declined
Following a workplace accident, the first thing an inspector asks for is your written risk assessment. If it doesn't exist — or doesn't reflect what actually happened — you have very little defence.
Every risk assessment we produce starts with a conversation about your actual work. The hazards we identify, the people we put at risk, and the controls we document are specific to what you do — not a generic trade template. That's what makes it legally defensible, and what makes it useful to the people doing the work.
If you employ people, work on other people's premises, or carry out any work that could harm others — you need one. Risk assessments apply to almost every type of business.
Not sure if your business needs a risk assessment? If you employ anyone, or your work could affect anyone — the answer is yes. Contact us for a free consultation and we'll advise exactly what assessments you need and whether what you currently have is sufficient.
Generic risk assessment templates downloaded from the internet fail for one fundamental reason: they weren't written about your workplace, your team, or your hazards. An inspector knows immediately.
A decorator working in occupied domestic properties faces different risks to one working on a commercial newbuild. A cleaner working alone at 05:00 has different considerations to one working in a team. These distinctions matter legally — and practically.
We build your assessment from the tasks you actually perform, so it reflects your operation and holds up under scrutiny.
No hidden costs. You know exactly what you're paying before we start.
Up to 10 hazards — single activity or task scope
Risk Assessment + COSHH Assessment. The two most commonly required documents combined — ideal for sole traders getting compliant in one go.
Risk Assessment + RAMS / Method Statement. Covers what most principal contractors require before you can start on their sites.
Below is a portfolio sample Risk Assessment produced for a painting and decorating sole trader. This is a fictional sample document — format, structure, and content are fully representative of every assessment we produce.
| # | Hazard | Who at Risk | L | S | Inherent Risk | Key Control Measures | L¹ | S¹ | Residual Risk | Responsible / Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Working at height — stepladders & platform steps | Operative, occupants | 3 | 4 | 12 — HIGH | Stepladder inspected pre-use. 3-point contact maintained. Max 5 rungs from top. Soft-ground board on uneven floors. MEWP/scaffold considered for work above 2m. No overreaching. | 2 | 3 | 6 — MED | M. Walsh Ongoing ✓ |
| 2 | Manual handling — paint tins, buckets, equipment | Operative | 3 | 2 | 6 — MED | Max 25 kg per individual lift. Team lift for heavy/awkward loads. Sack trolley used for multiple tins. Correct posture and regular breaks. | 2 | 2 | 4 — LOW | M. Walsh Ongoing ✓ |
| 3 | Dust inhalation — sanding, surface preparation | Operative, occupants | 4 | 2 | 8 — MED | FFP2 dust mask worn during all sanding. Vacuum-sanding used where possible. Ventilation maintained. Occupants excluded from work area. Damp wipe on completion. | 2 | 2 | 4 — LOW | M. Walsh Ongoing ✓ |
| 4 | Solvent-based paints — VOC inhalation, skin contact | Operative | 3 | 2 | 6 — MED | Water-based products preferred. Adequate cross-ventilation for all solvent products. Chemical-resistant nitrile gloves. No ignition sources nearby. COSHH assessment in place. | 2 | 2 | 4 — LOW | M. Walsh Ongoing ✓ |
| 5 | Slips, trips & falls — wet floors, cables, drop sheets | Operative, occupants | 3 | 2 | 6 — MED | Walkways kept clear. Wet floor signs displayed. Non-slip safety footwear worn. Cables managed and taped. Drop sheets secured at edges. | 2 | 1 | 2 — LOW | M. Walsh Ongoing ✓ |
| 6 | Electrical equipment — drills, sanders, task lighting | Operative | 2 | 3 | 6 — MED | Visual pre-use check before each use. All equipment PAT tested annually. 30mA RCD protection used on all circuits. No electrical work undertaken in wet conditions. | 1 | 3 | 3 — LOW | M. Walsh Ongoing ✓ |
| 7 | Lone working in occupied domestic properties | Operative | 3 | 2 | 6 — MED | Location shared with emergency contact before work begins. Twice-daily check-in call. Mobile phone charged and carried at all times. Emergency contacts recorded on job sheet. | 2 | 1 | 2 — LOW | M. Walsh Ongoing ✓ |
| PPE Item | Standard / Specification | Applicable Hazard(s) | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| FFP2 Dust Respirator | EN 149:2001+A1:2009 | Dust inhalation — sanding, prep (#3) | REQUIRED |
| Chemical-Resistant Nitrile Gloves | EN ISO 374-1:2016 | Solvent VOCs, COSHH substances (#4) | REQUIRED |
| Safety Footwear (non-slip, steel toecap) | EN ISO 20345:2011 — S1P minimum | Slips, trips, manual handling (#2, #5) | REQUIRED |
| Safety Spectacles / Goggles | EN ISO 16321-1:2021 | Dust and paint splash (#3, #4) | REQUIRED |
| Hard Hat | EN 397:2012+A1 | Overhead risk at height (#1) | SITUATIONAL |
| Role | Full Name | Position / Qualifications | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessor (Prepared by) | Alexander Banister | BSc (Hons) Biology | IOSH Managing Safely | HSQE Risk Assessment Awareness | NEBOSH NGC (In Progress) | H&S Consultant — AB SiteSafe | January 2026 |
| Responsible Person | Mark Walsh | Owner / Sole Trader — MW Decorating | January 2026 |
| Assessor Signature | Authorised via electronic delivery — AB SiteSafe | ||
| Responsible Person Sig. | Signed on delivery — MW Decorating | ||
MW Decorating is a fictional company created for portfolio purposes — not a real client. The format, structure, and content are fully representative of every assessment we produce. Larger operations may require multiple task-specific assessments — a construction company might need separate RAs for groundworks, at-height work, and plant operation. Each is quoted individually. If you'd like to see a sample tailored to your specific trade, just ask.
Getting your risk assessment is straightforward. We do the heavy lifting — you just answer a few questions about your work and who might be affected.
Tell us about your work — send a brief description of your trade, the tasks you carry out, and the environment you work in.
We draft your assessment — identifying hazards, rating risks, and specifying controls based on your actual operation.
Delivered within 48 hours as a professional PDF — ready to file, sign, and present to any contractor or inspector.
One revision round included — if anything needs adjusting, we update it at no extra charge.