Why risk assessments matter

Every employer must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to their employees and to anyone else affected by their work. That duty comes from the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. If you employ five or more people, you must also record the significant findings.

Done well, a risk assessment is the backbone of how you manage health and safety. Done badly, it's a generic document in a drawer that wouldn't stand up to an accident investigation, an HSE visit or an insurer's questions.

What we assess

General workplace risks: the activities, premises and equipment that make up your day-to-day work.
Hazardous substances (COSHH): cleaning chemicals, dusts, fumes and other substances, under the COSHH Regulations 2002.
Manual handling: lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling, under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992.
Display screen equipment (DSE): workstation assessments for computer users.
Work at height: ladders, steps, platforms and roof work, under the Work at Height Regulations 2005.
Lone working and working away from base.
Work-related stress: using the HSE Management Standards.
Specific groups: young workers and new or expectant mothers.
Work equipment and machinery, noise and vibration.

Fire is assessed separately. See our fire risk assessment service.

Our approach

Your consultant walks the floor and talks to the people who do the work, because they know where the real risks are. We then set out controls that are proportionate to the risk and fit how your business runs, following the hierarchy of control: eliminate the hazard where you can, then reduce it, and rely on PPE only as a last resort.

What you get

Written risk assessments specific to your site and tasks
A prioritised action plan, so you know what to tackle first
Clear summaries you can use to brief staff
Review dates, so assessments stay current

When should risk assessments be reviewed?

Whenever something changes: new equipment, processes, premises or people, after an accident or near miss, or if you have reason to think the assessment is no longer valid. Many businesses also set a regular review date as good practice.

Joe and the team at Melia & McIntosh have been a great support to us as an early-stage business. They’ve helped us build our health and safety processes and standards from the ground up, providing practical guidance as the company has grown. They’re always very responsive, approachable and willing to help, which has made it much easier for us to put the right systems in place and deal with H&S requirements as they arise.

Aaron Dickenson, Head of OperationsPlasma Fresh · Cold plasma technology, LiverpoolBuilding H&S systems from the ground up

FAQs

Risk assessment questions

Do small businesses need written risk assessments?

Every employer must assess risks. If you have fewer than five employees, the law doesn't require you to write the findings down, but it's still sensible to, because it's the easiest way to show what you've done and to brief your team.

Can we use a generic template?

A template can be a starting point, but an assessment must reflect your actual premises, tasks and people. Generic documents are a common weakness picked up after accidents and in SSIP applications.

Should employees be involved?

Yes. Employers must consult their employees on health and safety, and the people doing the work are often best placed to spot hazards and suggest practical controls.

Can you review the risk assessments we already have?

Yes. We can review existing assessments, tell you honestly what's working, and update or rewrite where needed.

Health & Safety risk assessments your team will actually use