Free risk assessment template
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A risk assessment template is a structured form used to identify workplace hazards, evaluate the likelihood and consequence of harm, and document control measures. This page explains what to include in a risk assessment, how to complete one, and offers a free PDF-ready template you can download and use straight away. No sign-up required.
Last updated: 2026-04-17 · MapTrack
Commercial Director
How to use: Record the task and location → identify each hazard → rate likelihood and consequence → list existing and additional controls → assign responsibility → sign off → save as PDF (Print → Save as PDF).
- ✓ PDF-ready. Open and print to PDF
- ✓ Covers hazard identification, risk matrix, controls and sign-off
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See the first part of the risk assessment below. Enter your email above to download the full template (PDF-ready).
What is a risk assessment?
A risk assessment is a structured process for identifying hazards associated with a workplace task or activity, evaluating the level of risk, and determining what control measures are needed to eliminate or minimise harm. Under Australian WHS legislation, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) have a duty to identify reasonably foreseeable hazards, assess risks, and implement controls using the hierarchy of controls. A documented risk assessment provides the evidence that this process has been followed and forms a key part of any safety management system.
Benefits of risk assessments
- Legal compliance: documented risk assessments demonstrate compliance with WHS Act obligations and can be presented to regulators during audits or investigations.
- Hazard identification: a structured process ensures hazards are systematically identified rather than overlooked or assumed.
- Control effectiveness: assessing risk before and after controls are applied confirms that measures are actually reducing the level of risk.
- Audit trail: completed risk assessments create a documented record of what was considered, who was involved and what decisions were made.
- Team awareness: involving workers in the risk assessment process increases awareness of hazards and promotes a shared understanding of how work should be done safely.
- Insurance and tender requirements: many insurers and principal contractors require documented risk assessments as a condition of cover or contract.
Benefits of digitising forms in MapTrack
When you move your checklists from paper to MapTrack, you get:
- Field users can easily scan a QR code to complete a form on mobile. Unlimited users.
- Automatically get alerts when faults are identified.
- Link every form 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 forms digitally.
- 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).
- Escalate critical hazards instantly to safety managers via push notification.
- Maintain an auditable safety register that satisfies WHS regulator requests.
- Correlate incident trends across sites with built-in safety analytics.
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What to include in a risk assessment
Our free risk assessment template includes:
- Task or activity: a clear description of the work being assessed, including location and department.
- Hazards: each hazard or risk identified for the task, described in plain language.
- Risk matrix: a likelihood (1-5) by consequence (1-5) scoring system to calculate a risk rating for each hazard.
- Existing controls: the control measures already in place to manage each hazard.
- Additional controls: any further actions needed to reduce the risk to an acceptable level.
- Responsible person: who is accountable for implementing each additional control measure.
- Review date: when the risk assessment will be reviewed or reassessed.
- Sign-off: signatures from the assessor and reviewing manager to confirm the assessment is complete and approved.
How to complete a risk assessment
- Record the task or activity, location, department and the date of the assessment.
- Identify all hazards associated with the task. Walk the work area, consult workers and review incident history.
- Rate each hazard using the risk matrix: assign a likelihood score (1-5) and a consequence score (1-5), then multiply to get the risk rating.
- Document the existing controls already in place for each hazard.
- Determine any additional controls needed and assign a responsible person for each action.
- Sign off the assessment, set a review date and communicate the findings to all workers involved in the task.
In MapTrack, risk assessments are completed on mobile and linked directly to the relevant asset, location or project. Photos and supporting documents attach to each assessment, and high-risk items can trigger alerts so they are addressed before work continues. Book a demo to see how.
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Back to download formWhen is a risk assessment required?
Risk assessments are required in a range of situations under Australian WHS legislation. Before starting a new task or activity, when introducing new equipment or processes, after an incident or near-miss, when new hazard information becomes available, and at scheduled review intervals. Some high-risk activities, such as confined space entry, working at heights and hot work, have specific regulatory requirements for documented risk assessments. In MapTrack, you can schedule recurring risk assessments and track completion across all sites and teams.
Frequently asked questions
- What is a risk assessment?
- A risk assessment is a systematic process for identifying hazards in a workplace activity, evaluating the likelihood and consequence of harm, and determining control measures to reduce the risk to an acceptable level. It is a core requirement under Australian WHS legislation and is used across industries including construction, mining, manufacturing, facilities management and transport.
- When is a risk assessment required?
- A risk assessment is required before starting any new task or activity that involves potential hazards, when there is a change to work processes or equipment, after an incident or near-miss, when new information about hazards becomes available, and at regular intervals as part of ongoing workplace safety management. Under Australian WHS regulations, a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must manage risks by identifying hazards and implementing controls.
- Who should complete a risk assessment?
- Risk assessments should be completed by a competent person with knowledge of the task, the hazards involved and the relevant controls. In practice, this is often the supervisor or team leader responsible for the activity, with input from workers who perform the task. For high-risk activities, a safety professional or engineer may need to be involved. Australian WHS regulations require consultation with workers when identifying hazards and making decisions about risk controls.
- Is the risk assessment template free to use?
- Yes. Download and use the risk assessment template for free. Open the file and use your browser's Print, then Save as PDF. No MapTrack account required. If you later want digital risk assessments linked to assets with scheduling, compliance alerts and document history, we would be happy to show you MapTrack.
Need digital risk assessments with compliance tracking?
Build risk assessment forms in MapTrack. Complete them on mobile, link assessments to assets and locations, attach photos, set review schedules and maintain a complete compliance history across your organisation.
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