Activity Based Risk Assessment Form Template for England and Wales

An Activity Based Risk Assessment Form is a mandatory legal document that you must complete before undertaking significant workplace activities in England and Wales. This comprehensive assessment tool helps you systematically identify hazards, evaluate risks, and implement appropriate control measures to protect workers and others who may be affected by your workplace activities.

When do you need this document?

You are legally required to complete this form whenever you introduce new workplace activities, change existing processes, or identify potential risks that could affect employee safety. This includes activities such as manual handling operations, working at height, use of hazardous substances, or any process that could pose risks to workers or visitors. The assessment must be completed before the activity commences and reviewed regularly to ensure continued effectiveness of control measures.

Key legal considerations

Your risk assessment must be suitable and sufficient under Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. This means you must identify all significant hazards, evaluate who might be harmed and how, and determine appropriate control measures. You must pay special attention to vulnerable groups including young workers, pregnant employees, and those with disabilities as required by the Equality Act 2010. The assessment must be recorded in writing if you employ five or more people, and you must review and update it whenever there are significant changes to the activity or following any incidents. Your control measures should follow the hierarchy of risk control, prioritizing elimination and reduction of risks at source before relying on personal protective equipment.

Legal requirements in England and Wales

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, you have a statutory duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of your employees and others who may be affected by your work activities. Sections 2 and 3 specifically outline these duties, requiring you to provide safe systems of work and protect non-employees. If your assessment involves manual handling, you must comply with the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, which require you to avoid hazardous manual handling where possible and assess risks where elimination is not feasible. For activities involving work at height, the Work at Height Regulations 2005 mandate that you plan work properly, use appropriate equipment, and ensure competence of workers. Your completed assessment must be communicated to all relevant personnel, and you must provide adequate training and supervision to ensure control measures are effectively implemented and maintained.