Risk Assessment Review Checklist: When and How to Update Your Assessment
Risk Assessment Review Checklist: When and How to Update Your Assessment
A risk assessment isn't a one-time document. It needs regular review to stay effective and compliant. Here's your complete guide to reviewing risk assessments.
Why Review Risk Assessments?
Circumstances change. Hazards evolve. New equipment arrives. Staff change. Without regular review, your risk assessment becomes outdated and potentially dangerous.
Legal requirement: The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require that risk assessments be reviewed "when required to do so by regulation 3(2)(b) or when there is reason to suspect it is no longer valid."
When Must You Review?
Mandatory Review Triggers
You must review your risk assessment when:
-
An accident or near-miss occurs
- Any injury, however minor
- Near-miss incidents
- Dangerous occurrences
- Work-related ill health cases
-
Work processes change
- New equipment introduced
- New materials or substances used
- Changes to working methods
- Automation or new technology
-
The workplace changes
- Building alterations or extensions
- Relocation to new premises
- Layout changes
- New work areas
-
Staff changes
- New employees who need training
- Staff with disabilities or health conditions
- Young workers or new starters
- Pregnant workers
-
Legislation changes
- New regulations introduced
- Approved Codes of Practice updated
- HSE guidance revised
-
Enforcement action
- HSE improvement notice
- Prohibition notice
- Formal warnings
Recommended Review Schedule
Even without triggers, review:
| Assessment Type | Minimum Review Frequency | |-----------------|-------------------------| | General workplace | Annually | | Fire risk assessment | Annually | | DSE assessments | Annually or when workstation changes | | COSHH assessments | Annually or when substances change | | Manual handling | Annually | | Construction sites | Weekly or when conditions change | | High-risk activities | Every 6 months |
Risk Assessment Review Checklist
Use this checklist for each review:
1. Basic Information
- [ ] Is the assessment date current?
- [ ] Is the responsible person still correct?
- [ ] Are location and task details accurate?
- [ ] Is the review date set?
2. Hazards
- [ ] Are all hazards still relevant?
- [ ] Have any new hazards emerged?
- [ ] Have any hazards been eliminated?
- [ ] Are hazard descriptions accurate?
3. People at Risk
- [ ] Is the list of people at risk current?
- [ ] Have new groups been added (contractors, visitors)?
- [ ] Are vulnerable workers identified?
- [ ] Have staff changes been considered?
4. Control Measures
- [ ] Are all controls still in place?
- [ ] Are controls effective?
- [ ] Have new controls been added?
- [ ] Are controls being maintained?
- [ ] Is PPE still suitable and available?
- [ ] Are training records current?
5. Risk Rating
- [ ] Does the risk rating reflect current conditions?
- [ ] Has residual risk changed?
- [ ] Are ratings consistent with the matrix?
6. Actions
- [ ] Have previous actions been completed?
- [ ] Are new actions needed?
- [ ] Are action owners assigned?
- [ ] Are deadlines realistic?
- [ ] Are actions prioritised correctly?
7. Documentation
- [ ] Is the assessment signed and dated?
- [ ] Have staff been informed of changes?
- [ ] Is the assessment accessible to staff?
- [ ] Are records retained properly?
How to Conduct a Review
Step 1: Gather Information
- Previous risk assessment
- Accident and incident records
- Near-miss reports
- Staff feedback and concerns
- Inspection reports
- Maintenance records
- Training records
Step 2: Walk the Workplace
- Observe current working practices
- Talk to employees about concerns
- Check control measures are in use
- Look for new hazards
- Verify emergency procedures
Step 3: Compare and Update
- Compare findings with existing assessment
- Update hazards, controls, and risk ratings
- Add new sections if needed
- Remove obsolete information
- Document changes made
Step 4: Communicate Changes
- Brief affected employees
- Update training if needed
- Display revised assessment
- Record who was informed and when
Step 5: Set Next Review
- Determine appropriate review date
- Schedule reminder in calendar
- Document review schedule
Common Review Mistakes
1. Rubber-Stamping
Simply signing and dating without actually reviewing. This is a regulatory breach and defeats the purpose.
2. Waiting for Incidents
Only reviewing after something goes wrong. Proactive review prevents incidents.
3. Incomplete Reviews
Checking some sections but not others. A systematic approach ensures nothing is missed.
4. Not Involving Workers
Staff often know about issues before management. Their input is essential.
5. Poor Documentation
Not recording what was reviewed or changed. This creates compliance issues.
Review Record Template
Keep a record of each review:
RISK ASSESSMENT REVIEW RECORD
Assessment Title: ________________
Location: ________________
Review Date: ________________
Reviewer: ________________
Reason for Review:
□ Scheduled annual review
□ Accident/incident
□ Process change
□ Equipment change
□ Staff change
□ Legislation change
□ Other: ________________
Changes Made:
1. ________________
2. ________________
3. ________________
Actions Required:
| Action | Owner | Deadline |
|--------|-------|----------|
| | | |
| | | |
Next Review Date: ________________
Reviewer Signature: ________________
Date: ________________
What Happens If You Don't Review?
Consequences
- Non-compliance with legal requirements
- Increased risk of accidents
- Invalid insurance claims
- Enforcement action from HSE
- Higher penalties if incidents occur
Case Example
A company was fined £40,000 after a worker was injured. The court found their risk assessment was 3 years old and didn't reflect current working practices. Had they reviewed it, the hazard would have been identified.
Summary
Regular review keeps your risk assessment relevant and effective. Use the checklist, involve your team, and document everything.