Broad Brush Risk Assessment Template for England and Wales

A Broad Brush Risk Assessment is your organization's first line of defense in identifying workplace hazards and maintaining compliance with England and Wales health and safety legislation. This preliminary assessment tool helps you systematically screen your entire operation to identify areas that require more detailed risk evaluation, ensuring you meet your legal obligations while protecting your workforce.

When do you need this document?

You need a Broad Brush Risk Assessment when establishing new operations, relocating premises, or conducting annual safety reviews. It's essential when onboarding new employees who need to understand workplace risks, during management changes that affect safety responsibilities, or when preparing for health and safety inspections. Organizations typically use this assessment as part of their overall risk management strategy, particularly when time or resources don't permit immediate detailed assessments of every workplace area. It's also valuable when you suspect safety issues but need to prioritize which areas require immediate attention.

Key legal considerations

Your assessment must identify all reasonably foreseeable hazards and evaluate risks to employees, contractors, visitors, and the public. The document should reference specific legislation applicable to identified hazards, including COSHH regulations for hazardous substances and Manual Handling Operations Regulations for physical risks. You must ensure your assessor is competent under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, with appropriate training and experience. The assessment should include both immediate and long-term risks, considering normal operations, maintenance activities, and emergency situations. Your evaluation must be suitable and sufficient, meaning it's proportionate to the risks involved and covers all significant hazards that could cause harm.

Legal requirements in England and Wales

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers have a fundamental duty to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of employees so far as reasonably practicable. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 specifically require you to assess risks to workers and others who might be affected by your activities. Your assessment must be reviewed regularly and updated when circumstances change, such as new equipment installation, process modifications, or following incidents. You must record your findings if you employ five or more people, and make them available to employees and their representatives. The assessment should identify where additional specific risk assessments are needed, such as fire risk assessments under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, ensuring comprehensive coverage of all workplace hazards.