# HSE example risk assessments (qualitative hazard → control structure)

Canonical, citable source document for the IACE qualitative hazard→control
pattern. The UK HSE risk-assessment template and worked examples give an
openly-licensed, **non-numeric** model of how a hazard is paired with existing
controls and further actions — used by IACE to validate that each identified
hazard has at least one mapped control/measure.

## Source

- **Source:** UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
- **Doc:** *Risk assessment: Template and examples*, plus worked-example PDFs
  (maintenance work in a factory; a warehouse)
- **License:** Open Government Licence v3.0 (OGL v3) — reuse with attribution
- **Attribution:** `Source: HSE risk-assessment template & examples, © Crown copyright, licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0`
- **Retrieved:** 2026-06
- **URLs:**
  - https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/risk/risk-assessment-template-and-examples.htm
  - https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/assets/docs/factory.pdf
  - https://www.hse.gov.uk/simple-health-safety/assets/docs/warehouse.pdf

**Qualitative only:** the HSE method is deliberately **non-numeric** — it does not
assign severity/probability scores or a risk matrix. It identifies hazards,
records existing controls, and plans further action. (Numeric severity×probability
comes from PRISM, see `prism_risk_methodology.md`.)

## Assessment structure (7 fields)

The HSE blank template is a single table with seven columns:

| # | Column |
|---|---|
| 1 | What are the hazards? |
| 2 | Who might be harmed and how? |
| 3 | What are you already doing to control the risks? |
| 4 | What further action do you need to take to control the risks? |
| 5 | Who needs to carry out the action? |
| 6 | When is the action needed by? |
| 7 | Done (date completed) |

Method: walk the workplace, note hazards, talk to workers/safety reps, record
who could be harmed, list existing controls, then decide what more is needed.
HSE stresses the examples are illustrative — "do not just copy an example."

Named worked examples published: office-based business, local shop/newsagent,
food preparation and service, motor vehicle repair shop, factory maintenance,
warehouse.

## Worked example — maintenance work in a factory (hazard → controls)

| Hazard | Existing controls / further action (summary) |
|---|---|
| Machinery / equipment | Guards and emergency-stop buttons fitted; add operator training on lockout/isolation procedures. |
| Slips, trips, falls | Housekeeping protocols in place; improve drainage and floor markings in work areas. |
| Chemical exposure | Safety data sheets held; upgrade ventilation, provide respiratory protection where needed. |
| Noise | Hearing protection supplied; assess noise levels, consider engineering controls at source. |
| Manual handling | Mechanical lifting aids available; refresh safe-lifting training. |
| Electrical | Maintenance staff qualified; set a formal inspection schedule and document lockout/tagout. |

## Worked example — warehouse (hazard → controls)

| Hazard | Existing controls / further action (summary) |
|---|---|
| Manual handling | Proper lifting techniques, mechanical aids, ergonomics training, weight limits. |
| Storage & stacking | Appropriate racking, stable stacks, regular inspection, clear aisles / emergency routes. |
| Falls from height | Guardrails on elevated platforms, fall-protection equipment, working-at-height training. |
| Moving / powered equipment (FLTs) | Speed limits, segregated pedestrian zones, operator licensing, scheduled maintenance, visible warnings. |
| Slips, trips & falls | Floors clean/dry, walkways clear, lighting, suitable footwear, prompt spill clean-up. |
| Noise | Hearing protection where needed, noise barriers, equipment maintenance, sound-level monitoring. |

## How these are used in IACE

1. **Hazard → control completeness check:** the 7-field structure backs the IACE
   rule that every identified hazard must carry at least one existing control and,
   where residual risk remains, a further-action/measure entry.
2. **Control vocabulary:** the worked-example hazard→control pairs seed IACE's
   library of typical machinery/warehouse measures (guarding, LOTO, segregation,
   manual-handling aids, PPE) for suggesting measures against a detected hazard.
3. **Qualitative complement:** HSE supplies the *narrative* control side; PRISM
   supplies the *numeric* severity×probability side — IACE combines both.

No copyrighted standard text or table is reproduced; all content here is
OGL-v3 Crown-copyright HSE material.
