When Should a Risk Assessment Be Reviewed?
Review the assessment when there are meaningful changes to equipment, processes, substances, staffing, workplace layout or the way work is carried out.
After an accident, incident or near miss
An incident can show that existing controls are not working as intended or that a hazard was not fully understood. The relevant assessment should be reviewed as part of the investigation and corrective-action process.
When new information becomes available
Changes in legislation, manufacturer guidance, safety data sheets, industry guidance or known good practice may mean an existing assessment needs updating.
When the people exposed to risk change
The assessment may need reviewing when new or vulnerable workers are introduced, including young people, pregnant employees, new starters or people with particular needs.
Is there a legal annual review requirement?
There is no universal rule requiring every workplace risk assessment to be rewritten every 12 months. The important requirement is that assessments remain suitable and sufficient and are reviewed when circumstances indicate they may no longer be valid.
How often should businesses check their assessments?
A sensible periodic review can help identify assessments that have become outdated, even where no obvious incident or major change has occurred. The appropriate frequency depends on the level of risk and how quickly the workplace changes.
If your wider health and safety arrangements have grown piecemeal over time, it may also be worth reviewing what core documents your business actually needs.
Need help reviewing existing risk assessments?
MCS can review existing assessments, identify gaps and help update them so that they reflect current activities and practical controls.