Meet minimum workplace standards

Carry out a risk assessment of your workplace

Every business must carry out a risk assessment of its workplace to check that the necessary precautions are in place.

This looks at what might cause harm to people and assesses whether you've done enough to protect people and the environment from the risk of an accident.

You can follow five simple steps:

1. Look for the hazards, eg slips, trips and falls, working high up, exposure to hazardous substances, high noise levels, moving vehicles, fire and explosion.
2. Decide who might be harmed and how.
3. Evaluate the risks and decide whether existing precautions are adequate or whether more needs to be done.
4. Record your findings.
5. Review your risk assessment from time to time and revise it if necessary - particularly if new hazards are introduced to your workplace.

If you employ five or more people, your risk assessment must be put down in writing. See our guide on risk assessment - an overview.

Get further advice on controlling risks for businesses in Northern Ireland at the HSENI website.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• Ensure basic levels of comfort
• Put up suitable notices and signs
• Provide suitable first aid facilities
• Carry out a risk assessment of your workplace
• Fire protection
• Make sure equipment is appropriate
• Safe use of IT equipment
• Report incidents in the workplace
• Health and safety for people who work at home