How to Conduct a Risk Assessment in 5 Steps (Essential Workplace Guide)

To build a safe and compliant workplace, you must first understand your risks. That’s where a risk assessment comes in.

Whether you’re managing a construction site, office, lab, or warehouse, knowing how to conduct a risk assessment in 5 steps will help you prevent accidents before they happen.

This essential guide breaks down the process so you can assess hazards confidently, comply with health and safety legislation, and foster a strong safety culture.

Conduct a Risk Assessment

✅ What Is a Risk Assessment?

A risk assessment is a systematic process used to identify hazards, analyze potential consequences, and determine control measures to reduce risk. It’s a legal requirement under OHSA, OSHA, and many international safety standards.

Key goals:

• Prevent workplace injuries and illnesses
• Reduce downtime, fines, and liability
• Protect workers, equipment, and the environment

🛠️ Step 1: Identify the Hazards

The first step in any risk assessment is to find all potential hazards in the work environment. A hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm.

Types of hazards include:

• Physical – machinery, noise, sharp objects
• Chemical – fumes, solvents, flammable liquids
• Biological – viruses, bacteria, mold
• Ergonomic – repetitive motion, poor posture
• Psychosocial – stress, harassment, fatigue

How to identify them:

• Walkthrough inspections
• Reviewing incident and near-miss reports
• Speaking to employees and supervisors
• Examining equipment, processes, and materials
• Using checklists tailored to your industry

Internal link: Read our full article on Workplace Hazard Assessment

📊 Step 2: Assess the Risks

Next, evaluate the level of risk associated with each hazard.

Consider:

• Likelihood: How probable is it that harm will occur?
• Severity: If it happens, how serious would the outcome be?

Use a risk matrix to assign a rating:

Example:

• Spilled liquid in a walkway = High risk (likely + serious injury)
• Loud noise in a closed room = Medium risk (moderate + over time)

🧰 Step 3: Decide on Control Measures

Once you’ve assessed each risk, identify the best way to eliminate or reduce the hazard.

Use the Hierarchy of Controls:

1. Elimination – Remove the hazard completely
2. Substitution – Replace it with something safer
3. Engineering Controls – Isolate people from the hazard
4. Administrative Controls – Change how people work
5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Last line of defense

Example:

• Noise hazard: Substitute loud equipment (Step 2), enclose machinery (Step 3), schedule shorter shifts (Step 4), provide hearing protection (Step 5)

Make sure control measures are:

• Practical
• Cost-effective
• Acceptable to workers

📝 Step 4: Record and Communicate the Findings

In Canada and most jurisdictions, employers must document risk assessments when:

• Required by law
• The workplace has 5 or more employees
• High-risk work is performed

Your risk assessment record should include:

• Description of each hazard
• Risk rating (before and after controls)
• Control measures applied
• Persons responsible for implementation
• Date and review schedule

Communicate this to all staff during safety meetings, onboarding, and through signage or digital platforms.

🔁 Step 5: Review and Update Regularly

A risk assessment is not a one-time task. Reassess when:

• New equipment, chemicals, or processes are introduced
• An incident or near-miss occurs
• Regulations change
• Renovations or layout changes occur
• At least once annually

Set calendar reminders or use digital safety software for automatic scheduling and version control.

🧠 Bonus Tip: Involve Your Team

Include employees in walkthroughs, brainstorming, and reviewing risks—they’re your best source of practical knowledge. Their involvement increases compliance and builds safety ownership.

✅ Risk Assessment Checklist

To maintain a safe workplace, you need to conduct a risk assessment consistently and strategically. This 5-step method—identify, assess, control, record, and review—keeps your team protected and your operations compliant.

Make this a regular habit, not a one-time fix. Safety isn’t just about responding to incidents—it’s about preventing them before they happen.