09/01/2026
Master the Essentials: IOSH’s Five-Step Risk Assessment Process 🛡️
At 2020 Safety Training, we believe that a robust risk assessment is the heartbeat of any safe workplace. Whether you are a small business owner or a safety professional, following the IOSH Five-Step Process ensures you leave nothing to chance.
Here is how you can break it down into actionable steps:
Step 1: Identify the Hazards
The first priority is to walk around your workplace and look for anything that could reasonably be expected to cause harm. This includes physical hazards like trailing cables, chemical risks, or even psychological stressors.
Step 2: Who Can Be Harmed and How?
For every hazard identified, you must be clear about who might be harmed; it helps you identify the best way of managing the risk. Consider full-time staff, contractors, visitors, and even members of the public who may be at risk.
Step 3: Assess the Risk
Now, evaluate the likelihood and severity of the harm. This helps you prioritise which risks need immediate action. You should look at what you are already doing and what further controls are necessary to reduce the risk to an acceptable level.
Step 4: Decide on What Controls Are Needed & Reassess
Apply the Hierarchy of Controls. Can you eliminate the hazard entirely? If not, how can you control it so that harm is unlikely? Once controls are in place, reassess the residual risk to ensure it is as low as reasonably practicable.
Step 5: Record Significant Findings & Review
If you have five or more employees, you must record your significant findings. Beyond compliance, this document serves as a vital communication tool for your team. Remember, a risk assessment is a "living document"—review it regularly or whenever there is a significant change in your workplace.
