What is a risk assessment template?

A risk assessment template is a structured form used to identify workplace hazards, evaluate the likelihood and consequence of each hazard, determine the overall risk level and document the control measures needed to eliminate or minimise the risk. It provides a consistent, repeatable process that helps organisations meet their duty of care under Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation. The completed form becomes a record of the risk management decisions made for a specific task, area or project.

What are the 5 steps of risk assessment?

The five steps are: (1) Identify hazards, look at the task, environment, equipment and people to find anything that could cause harm. (2) Assess the risk, use a likelihood and consequence matrix to rate each hazard. (3) Control the risk, apply controls following the hierarchy of controls (elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, PPE). (4) Record the findings, document hazards, risk ratings, controls and residual risk in the assessment form. (5) Review and update, revisit the assessment when conditions change, after incidents or at scheduled intervals.

Who should complete a risk assessment?

Under the model WHS Act, a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) has the primary duty to identify and manage risks. In practice, the risk assessment is usually completed by a competent person with knowledge of the task, such as a supervisor, site safety officer or team leader, in consultation with the workers who will perform the work. Workers who are familiar with the day-to-day hazards of the task should always be involved, as they often identify risks that others miss.

How often should risk assessments be reviewed?

Risk assessments should be reviewed whenever there is a change in the task, equipment, environment or personnel. They should also be reviewed after an incident, near miss or hazard report related to the assessed activity. Beyond these triggers, most organisations schedule periodic reviews, commonly every 6 to 12 months, to ensure controls remain effective and the assessment reflects current conditions. Safe Work Australia recommends reviewing risk assessments as part of your ongoing risk management process.

What is the difference between a risk assessment and a JSA?

A risk assessment is a broad hazard identification and risk evaluation process that can apply to a workplace area, project, piece of equipment or general activity. A Job Safety Analysis (JSA) is a specific type of risk assessment that breaks a single task into sequential steps and identifies the hazards and controls for each step. In short, a risk assessment looks at risk across a broader scope, while a JSA focuses on the step-by-step hazards of one particular job. Many organisations use both: risk assessments for overall planning and JSAs for individual high-risk tasks.

Is the template free to use without MapTrack?

Yes. You can download and use the risk assessment template for free. Open the file and use your browser's Print, then Save as PDF to keep a copy. No MapTrack account is required. If you later want to digitise your risk assessments with automatic alerts, photo evidence, electronic signatures and audit trails linked to each asset, we would be happy to show you MapTrack.

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Free risk assessment template

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A risk assessment template is a structured form used to identify workplace hazards, evaluate each risk using a likelihood and consequence matrix, and document the controls needed to eliminate or minimise harm. This page explains what to include, how to complete the assessment, and offers a free PDF-ready form you can download and use straight away. No sign-up required.

Last updated: 2026-04-09 · MapTrack

Lachlan McRitchie

GM of Operations

Updated 9 April 2026

✓ PDF-ready. Open and print to PDF
✓ Covers hazard identification, risk matrix, controls and residual risk
✓ Includes likelihood and consequence rating scales
✓ Aligned with Safe Work Australia WHS guidelines
✓ Free to use with or without MapTrack

How to use: Identify hazards, rate likelihood and consequence, calculate risk level, document controls, re-rate residual risk, assign review dates, then save as PDF (Print, then Save as PDF).

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What is a risk assessment?

A risk assessment is a systematic process for identifying hazards in the workplace, evaluating the likelihood and consequence of each hazard, and determining what controls are needed to eliminate or minimise the risk of harm. Under the model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Act administered by Safe Work Australia, a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety of workers and others affected by the work. Risk assessments are one of the primary tools for meeting this duty.

The assessment considers the full scope of a task, work area or project rather than focusing on a single job step. It looks at physical hazards (plant, equipment, manual handling), chemical hazards (substances, fumes, dust), biological hazards (mould, bacteria), ergonomic hazards (repetitive movements, workstation design) and psychosocial hazards (fatigue, stress, bullying). Once hazards are identified, each is rated using a risk matrix that combines likelihood and consequence to produce an overall risk level. Controls are then applied following the hierarchy of controls, and the residual risk after controls is recorded.

The completed risk assessment is shared with workers, kept on file for audits and reviewed whenever conditions change. It forms a core part of your safety management system and provides documented evidence that risks have been identified and managed.

Benefits of using a risk assessment template

Consistent process - a standardised template ensures every assessment follows the same structure, regardless of who completes it. This reduces the chance of hazards being overlooked.
WHS compliance - demonstrates that your organisation has identified, assessed and controlled risks as required under the model WHS Act and Regulations. A completed risk assessment is a key compliance record.
Proactive hazard identification - forces teams to think through hazards before work starts, not after an incident has occurred. This shifts the focus from reactive to preventive safety management.
Clear risk prioritisation - the likelihood and consequence matrix provides an objective way to rank risks, so resources are directed to the highest-priority items first.
Documented audit trail - a signed, dated risk assessment provides evidence of your risk management decisions for regulators, clients and internal audits.
Continuous improvement - reviewing past assessments over time reveals trends, recurring hazards and opportunities to improve controls and reduce incidents.

Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack

When you move from paper or static PDFs to digital forms in MapTrack, you get:

Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
Automatically get alerts when high-risk items are identified.
Link every risk assessment digitally as a PDF to the relevant asset, location or person.
Receive a digital PDF copy with every submission to your email.
Ability to share risk assessments digitally with stakeholders.
Build conditional logic (show or hide questions based on answers).
Take pictures or attach photos. Not possible with a paper-based form.
Electronic signatures.
Edit forms later without reprinting.
Restrict permissions (who can view, complete or approve).
Build forms with AI (describe what you need and MapTrack suggests the form).

Book a demo to see digital risk assessments and safety compliance tracking in MapTrack.

What to include in a risk assessment

A thorough risk assessment template should capture the following information:

Assessment details: title or description of the task, area or project being assessed, location, date and the name of the person conducting the assessment.
Hazard identification: a description of each hazard identified, the potential harm it could cause and who is at risk (workers, visitors, public).
Existing controls: any controls already in place before the assessment, such as guarding, signage, training or PPE.
Risk rating (inherent): the risk level before additional controls are applied, calculated using a likelihood and consequence matrix (see below).
Additional control measures: new controls to be implemented, documented using the hierarchy of controls (elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, PPE).
Residual risk rating: the risk level after all controls (existing and additional) are applied. This shows whether the remaining risk is acceptable.
Responsible person: who is accountable for implementing each control measure and by when.
Review date: the scheduled date for the next review of the assessment, or the trigger events that would require an earlier review.
Sign-off: signatures of the assessor, supervisor or manager, and any workers consulted during the process.

Risk rating matrix (likelihood x consequence)

A risk matrix combines the likelihood of a hazard occurring with the severity of the consequence to produce an overall risk level. This is the standard approach recommended by Safe Work Australia and used across most Australian industries. Rate each hazard before and after controls to show the reduction in risk.

Likelihood scale

1 - Rare: could happen but only in exceptional circumstances
2 - Unlikely: not expected to occur, but possible
3 - Possible: could occur at some point
4 - Likely: will probably occur in most circumstances
5 - Almost certain: expected to occur in most circumstances

Consequence scale

1 - Insignificant: no injury, minor inconvenience
2 - Minor: first aid treatment, minor property damage
3 - Moderate: medical treatment, lost time injury, moderate damage
4 - Major: serious injury, hospitalisation, significant damage
5 - Catastrophic: fatality, permanent disability, major structural failure

Risk level = likelihood x consequence

Score	Risk level	Action required
15 - 25	Extreme	Stop work immediately. Do not proceed until risk is reduced. Escalate to senior management.
10 - 14	High	Implement additional controls before proceeding. Senior management approval required.
5 - 9	Medium	Implement controls and monitor. Supervisor approval required before work proceeds.
1 - 4	Low	Manage with routine procedures. Monitor and review as scheduled.

Adapt the scales to your organisation. Some workplaces use a 3x3 or 4x4 matrix. The important thing is to apply the same scale consistently across all assessments.

How to complete a risk assessment

Define the scope. Record the task, area or project being assessed. Note the location, date and who is conducting the assessment. Include any relevant context such as weather conditions, shift patterns or concurrent work nearby.
Identify hazards. Walk the work area, review task procedures, consult workers and check incident records. For each hazard, describe what could go wrong, the potential harm and who is at risk. Consider physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and psychosocial hazards.
Assess the risk. For each hazard, rate the likelihood (1-5) and consequence (1-5) using the scales above. Multiply to get the inherent risk score. Record any existing controls that are already in place.
Apply controls. Determine what additional controls are needed, working down the hierarchy of controls: elimination (remove the hazard entirely), substitution (replace with something less hazardous), engineering controls (physical barriers, ventilation), administrative controls (procedures, training, signage) and PPE (last resort). Assign a responsible person and due date for each control.
Rate residual risk. After documenting all controls (existing and additional), re-rate the likelihood and consequence to determine the residual risk score. If the residual risk is still unacceptable, apply further controls or reconsider whether the task should proceed.

Once complete, brief all affected workers on the findings, obtain sign-off from the supervisor or manager, and file the assessment where it can be accessed for future reference and audits.

In MapTrack, you can build digital risk assessment forms, link them to specific assets or locations, collect electronic signatures on mobile and store every completed assessment against the relevant record for future audits. Book a demo to see how.

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When to complete a risk assessment

Risk assessments are not a one-off exercise. Under the model WHS Regulations, a PCBU must manage risks by identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing controls on an ongoing basis. Specific triggers for completing or reviewing a risk assessment include:

New tasks or processes - before introducing any new work activity, piece of equipment or substance to the workplace.
Changes to existing work - when the task, environment, personnel, equipment or materials change in a way that could introduce new hazards.
After incidents or near misses - following any injury, illness, near miss or hazard report to determine whether existing controls are adequate.
New information about a hazard - when you become aware of new risks, such as updated safety data sheets, manufacturer warnings or industry alerts.
Worker consultation - when workers raise concerns about health and safety risks in their work area.
Periodic scheduled reviews - most organisations schedule reviews every 6 to 12 months to confirm that controls remain effective and the assessment reflects current conditions.

Safe Work Australia recommends treating risk management as a continuous process. Even if nothing has changed, a scheduled review ensures assessments stay current and workers remain engaged with the identified risks and controls.

Frequently asked questions

What is a risk assessment template?: A risk assessment template is a structured form used to identify workplace hazards, evaluate the likelihood and consequence of each hazard, determine the overall risk level and document the control measures needed to eliminate or minimise the risk. It provides a consistent, repeatable process that helps organisations meet their duty of care under Work Health and Safety (WHS) legislation. The completed form becomes a record of the risk management decisions made for a specific task, area or project.
What are the 5 steps of risk assessment?: The five steps are: (1) Identify hazards, look at the task, environment, equipment and people to find anything that could cause harm. (2) Assess the risk, use a likelihood and consequence matrix to rate each hazard. (3) Control the risk, apply controls following the hierarchy of controls (elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, PPE). (4) Record the findings, document hazards, risk ratings, controls and residual risk in the assessment form. (5) Review and update, revisit the assessment when conditions change, after incidents or at scheduled intervals.
Who should complete a risk assessment?: Under the model WHS Act, a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBU) has the primary duty to identify and manage risks. In practice, the risk assessment is usually completed by a competent person with knowledge of the task, such as a supervisor, site safety officer or team leader, in consultation with the workers who will perform the work. Workers who are familiar with the day-to-day hazards of the task should always be involved, as they often identify risks that others miss.
How often should risk assessments be reviewed?: Risk assessments should be reviewed whenever there is a change in the task, equipment, environment or personnel. They should also be reviewed after an incident, near miss or hazard report related to the assessed activity. Beyond these triggers, most organisations schedule periodic reviews, commonly every 6 to 12 months, to ensure controls remain effective and the assessment reflects current conditions. Safe Work Australia recommends reviewing risk assessments as part of your ongoing risk management process.
What is the difference between a risk assessment and a JSA?: A risk assessment is a broad hazard identification and risk evaluation process that can apply to a workplace area, project, piece of equipment or general activity. A Job Safety Analysis (JSA) is a specific type of risk assessment that breaks a single task into sequential steps and identifies the hazards and controls for each step. In short, a risk assessment looks at risk across a broader scope, while a JSA focuses on the step-by-step hazards of one particular job. Many organisations use both: risk assessments for overall planning and JSAs for individual high-risk tasks.
Is the template free to use without MapTrack?: Yes. You can download and use the risk assessment template for free. Open the file and use your browser's Print, then Save as PDF to keep a copy. No MapTrack account is required. If you later want to digitise your risk assessments with automatic alerts, photo evidence, electronic signatures and audit trails linked to each asset, we would be happy to show you MapTrack.

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