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Free Risk Assessment Template for Construction

A risk assessment identifies the hazards on your job, rates the risks, and sets out the controls to keep workers safe. Use our template structure below, or let The Site Book create a site-specific risk assessment from your job description.

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What is a construction risk assessment?

A risk assessment is a systematic process for identifying the hazards on a construction job, evaluating how likely someone is to be harmed and how severe that harm could be, and deciding on the control measures to reduce the risk to an acceptable level.

Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, every employer and self-employed person must carry out a “suitable and sufficient” risk assessment. For construction work, CDM 2015 reinforces this requirement. The HSE recommends a 5-step approach: identify the hazards, decide who might be harmed, evaluate the risks, record your findings, and review the assessment regularly.

The 5x5 risk matrix

The standard approach in UK construction is to rate each hazard using a 5x5 matrix. You score the likelihood of harm (1-5) and the potential severity (1-5), then multiply them to get a risk score from 1 to 25. This helps you prioritise — a score of 20 (likely and severe) needs urgent attention, while a score of 2 (unlikely and minor) may be acceptable with basic controls.

The hierarchy of controls

When selecting control measures, follow the hierarchy of controls: eliminate the hazard entirely, substitute for something less hazardous, use engineering controls (guards, barriers, ventilation), use administrative controls (procedures, training, signage), and only then rely on PPE as a last resort. A risk assessment that lists “wear PPE” for every hazard without considering higher-level controls will be flagged by an inspector.

What goes in a risk assessment

Here are the key sections every construction risk assessment should include.

Project and site details

The project address, description of works, client details, start date, and expected duration. Every risk assessment must be tied to a specific site and project.

Hazard identification

A systematic list of all significant hazards on the job — working at height, manual handling, electrical risks, buried services, hazardous substances, and anything else specific to your site and trade.

Who might be harmed

The people at risk from each hazard — your workers, subcontractors, the client, neighbours, members of the public, delivery drivers. Different people face different risks.

Risk rating (likelihood x severity)

A 5x5 risk matrix that rates each hazard before and after control measures. Likelihood (1-5) multiplied by severity (1-5) gives a risk score from 1 to 25. This helps you prioritise which risks need the most attention.

Control measures

The specific actions you will take to reduce each risk, following the hierarchy of controls — eliminate, substitute, engineer out, administrative controls, PPE. These must be practical and achievable, not vague statements.

Residual risk rating

The risk score after your control measures are in place. This shows that your controls actually reduce the risk to an acceptable level. If the residual risk is still high, you need better controls.

Review date and responsible person

When the assessment will be reviewed and who is responsible. Risk assessments are living documents — they must be updated when site conditions change, after incidents, or when new hazards are identified.

Frequently asked questions

What is a 5x5 risk matrix?

A 5x5 risk matrix is a tool for rating risks by multiplying the likelihood of harm (1-5, from very unlikely to very likely) by the severity of harm (1-5, from minor injury to fatality). This gives a risk score from 1 to 25. Scores of 1-6 are generally considered low risk, 8-12 medium risk, and 15-25 high risk. You rate each hazard before controls are in place, then again after — this shows the effectiveness of your control measures. The matrix is the standard approach used in UK construction risk assessments.

Do I need a risk assessment for every job?

You need a risk assessment for any work that involves significant risk — and in construction, that covers the vast majority of jobs. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, every employer and self-employed person must carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments. CDM 2015 reinforces this for construction work. In practice, if you are doing any construction or trade work, you need a risk assessment. It protects your workers, satisfies principal contractors and clients, and provides evidence of due diligence.

What’s the difference between a risk assessment and RAMS?

A risk assessment is one half of a RAMS document. RAMS stands for Risk Assessment and Method Statement. The risk assessment identifies the hazards, rates the risks, and sets out the control measures. The method statement describes the step-by-step process for doing the work safely. Together, they form a complete RAMS. When people ask for a 'risk assessment template', they usually need the full RAMS — and The Site Book creates both parts together from your job description.

Related guides and templates

How to Write a Risk Assessment

The HSE 5-step process for construction risk assessments.

RAMS Generator

Create a risk assessment and method statement together.

Free Method Statement Template

The other half of your RAMS — step-by-step work sequences.

Sample Documents

See real example RAMS created by The Site Book.

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