Daily Risk Assessment Template for England and Wales

A Daily Risk Assessment is a structured evaluation tool that helps you identify and control workplace hazards before work begins each day. Under England and Wales health and safety law, you're required to conduct suitable and sufficient risk assessments to protect your workers and visitors from harm. This daily approach ensures you capture changing conditions, new hazards, and monitor the effectiveness of existing safety controls.

When do you need this document?

You need daily risk assessments in high-risk work environments where conditions change frequently. Construction sites require them due to evolving hazards as work progresses and weather conditions change. Manufacturing facilities use them when introducing new processes, materials, or temporary workers. Healthcare settings implement daily assessments to address patient-specific risks and infection control measures. Any workplace with contractors, shift changes, or variable working conditions benefits from this systematic daily review approach.

Key legal considerations

Your risk assessment must be suitable and sufficient under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. This means identifying significant risks and implementing appropriate control measures following the hierarchy of controls. You must ensure the person conducting the assessment is competent and has adequate knowledge of the workplace and potential hazards. The assessment should cover physical hazards like machinery and heights, chemical risks under COSHH regulations, fire safety requirements, and environmental factors. Document all findings and ensure control measures are communicated to affected workers before they begin tasks.

Legal requirements in England and Wales

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, you have a general duty to ensure the safety of employees and others who may be affected by your work activities. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 specifically require you to conduct risk assessments and implement necessary preventive and protective measures. Your daily assessments must consider the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 for fire-related risks and COSHH Regulations 2002 for hazardous substances. You're legally required to review and update assessments when circumstances change, making daily reviews particularly valuable in dynamic work environments. Keep records of your assessments as evidence of compliance, and ensure all workers understand the risks and control measures identified.