Outdoor Risk Assessment Template for England and Wales

An Outdoor Risk Assessment is a legal requirement under England and Wales health and safety legislation that systematically evaluates potential dangers in outdoor work environments and activities. This comprehensive document helps you identify hazards, assess risks, and implement control measures to protect everyone involved in outdoor activities while ensuring your organization meets its statutory obligations.

When do you need this document?

You must complete an outdoor risk assessment before conducting any outdoor work or activities under your organization's control. This includes construction projects, educational field trips, adventure activities, outdoor events, sports activities, and maintenance work in outdoor environments. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 places a legal duty on employers to assess risks to employees and others who might be affected by their activities. Whether you're organizing a school hiking trip, managing an outdoor construction site, or running adventure tourism activities, this assessment is legally required and must be completed by a competent person before the activity begins.

Key legal considerations

Your outdoor risk assessment must comply with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, which require risk assessments to be suitable and sufficient, regularly reviewed, and recorded if you employ five or more people. The assessment must identify all reasonably foreseeable hazards including weather conditions, terrain, equipment failure, participant capabilities, and environmental factors. You must evaluate both the likelihood and severity of potential harm using a systematic approach. The Work at Height Regulations 2005 apply if your outdoor activities involve elevated work, while COSHH Regulations 2002 govern any hazardous substances used. Your assessment must demonstrate that risks have been reduced to the lowest reasonably practicable level, and you must provide adequate information, instruction, and training to all participants based on your findings.

Legal requirements in England and Wales

Under England and Wales law, your outdoor risk assessment must be conducted by a competent person with sufficient training, experience, and knowledge of the activities and associated risks. The assessment must be specific to the actual outdoor environment and activities planned, not generic. You must consult with employees and safety representatives during the assessment process and ensure findings are communicated to all relevant parties. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 require consideration of weather protection and welfare facilities for outdoor workers. Your assessment must be reviewed and updated whenever there are significant changes to activities, equipment, personnel, or environmental conditions. You must keep records of your assessments, any incidents, and the competency of persons conducting assessments. Emergency procedures and first aid arrangements must be specifically addressed for outdoor environments, and you must ensure adequate supervision levels based on the assessed risks.