Tyso Toolkit
Free risk assessment template
Build a practical risk assessment for a specific site and task, preview it as you type, then download the PDF.
Business and job
Hazards and controls
Add each task, what could go wrong, and the controls that reduce the risk.
hazard 1
Risk rating
HighResidual risk
MediumSign-off
List the people who have reviewed this assessment.
Download your PDF
General template only, not safety, legal, or compliance advice. Risk assessments must be prepared by a competent person for the specific site and task, and requirements vary by state and territory. Review against your WHS obligations before use.
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How to fill out a risk assessment
Set the job context
Name the business, site, task, date and person preparing the assessment. Be specific enough that someone can tell exactly where and when it applies.
Identify hazards and controls
Break the work into activities. Record what could cause harm, rate the untreated risk, then list practical controls in the order they will be used.
Review and sign off
Rate the residual risk after controls. If it is still too high, stop and improve the controls. Consult the people doing the work and record their names.
How the 5×5 risk matrix works
The matrix combines likelihood, from Rare to Almost certain, with consequence, from Insignificant to Severe. Their position produces a Low, Medium, High or Extreme rating. Rate the risk before controls, apply the hierarchy of control, then rate it again. The second figure is the residual risk. A matrix supports judgment, but it cannot replace knowledge of the task and site.
Risk assessment template questions
What is the difference between a risk assessment and a SWMS?
A risk assessment identifies hazards, rates the risk and records controls for a task or site. A safe work method statement, or SWMS, is a specific legal document required for high risk construction work. A risk assessment can inform a SWMS, but it does not replace one where a SWMS is required.
Who should prepare a risk assessment?
A competent person who understands the work, the hazards and the controls should prepare it. Workers who perform the task should be consulted because they often know where the practical risks sit.
How often should a risk assessment be reviewed?
Review it when the site, task, equipment, people or conditions change, after an incident or near miss, when a control is not working, and at the review date set by your business. Do not treat an old assessment as permanent.
Is this risk assessment template compliant in Australia?
No generic template can guarantee compliance. Australian WHS duties and local requirements depend on the state or territory, the work and the site. This template gives you a useful structure, but a competent person must tailor and review it against the obligations that apply.
What should control measures include?
Choose controls using the hierarchy of control. Remove the hazard where possible, then consider substitution, isolation and engineering controls before relying on administrative controls or personal protective equipment alone.
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