Risk Assessment Remediation Plan Template for England and Wales

Yes, under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers must conduct risk assessments and take reasonable steps to control identified risks. A Risk Assessment Remediation Plan demonstrates compliance with these legal obligations by documenting specific actions to address workplace hazards. Failure to have adequate risk management measures can result in prosecution by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Yes, the Health and Safety Executive can bring criminal proceedings against businesses that fail to adequately manage workplace risks. Under Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers have a duty to ensure employee safety 'so far as is reasonably practicable.' Lacking a proper remediation plan for identified risks can be evidence of failing this duty, potentially resulting in unlimited fines and, in serious cases, imprisonment for directors.

A standard risk assessment identifies and evaluates workplace hazards, while a Risk Assessment Remediation Plan specifically outlines the corrective actions needed to control or eliminate those identified risks. The remediation plan is the 'action plan' that follows the risk assessment, detailing timescales, responsibilities, and resources required to implement safety measures. Both documents together demonstrate compliance with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

The timeframe varies significantly based on workplace complexity and risk severity, typically ranging from one week for simple offices to several months for high-risk industrial sites. Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations, there's no specified deadline, but remediation must be implemented 'without delay' once risks are identified. Most businesses should aim to complete their plan within 30 days of identifying significant risks to demonstrate reasonable promptness.

The most frequent errors include failing to assign specific responsibilities and deadlines, not involving competent persons in the planning process, and inadequately prioritizing high-risk issues. Many businesses also fail to regularly review and update their plans as required by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations. Generic, template-based plans that don't address specific workplace hazards are often deemed inadequate by HSE inspectors during enforcement visits.

While there's no fixed annual requirement, the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations mandate that risk assessments and remediation plans be reviewed whenever there are significant changes to work activities, following accidents, or when the assessment may no longer be valid. Best practice suggests annual reviews as a minimum, with more frequent reviews for high-risk environments or rapidly changing workplaces to ensure ongoing legal compliance.

Under Section 44 of the Employment Rights Act 1996, employees have the right to refuse work in circumstances of serious and imminent danger without facing dismissal. If identified workplace risks lack a proper remediation plan, this could constitute such circumstances, particularly if employees have raised concerns through proper channels. However, the refusal must be reasonable and proportionate to the risk level, and employees should follow established grievance procedures where possible.