What is a workplace risk assessment?

A risk assessment is the process of working out how serious a hazard is so you can decide what to do about it. For each hazard you consider how likely it is to cause harm and how serious that harm would be, then prioritise the hazards and choose control measures. It is the 'assess' step of the broader WHS risk management process and helps you direct effort at the risks that matter most.

What are the four steps of the WHS risk management process?

Under the model Work Health and Safety Regulations, the risk management process has four steps: identify the hazards, assess the risk (how likely is harm and how serious would it be), control the risk by working through the hierarchy of controls, then review the control measures to make sure they keep working. This tool covers the assess step and points you to controls; you still need to identify hazards through consultation and review your controls over time.

What is the hierarchy of controls?

The hierarchy of controls (model WHS Regulations, reg 36) ranks control measures from most to least effective. First, eliminate the hazard. If that is not reasonably practicable, minimise the risk by substituting the hazard with something safer, isolating people from it, or using engineering controls. If risk remains, use administrative controls such as safe work procedures and training, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Higher controls are more reliable because they do not depend on people behaving a certain way every time.

How does the 5×5 risk score work?

For each hazard you rate likelihood (1-5) and consequence (1-5). The score is likelihood multiplied by consequence on a standard 5×5 risk matrix, from 1 to 25, banded Low (1-4), Moderate (5-9), High (10-14) and Critical (15-25). This is a standard risk-matrix approach used to prioritise action; it is not a statutory scoring scheme. The bands simply steer you toward how far up the hierarchy of controls to reach.

Is this risk register a legal document?

No. This builder gives general information to help you triage hazards and decide where to focus. It does not replace consultation with workers, a formal documented risk assessment, or professional WHS advice, and the register it produces is not a legal document. Use it as a starting point, then record your assessment and controls in your own WHS system.

Risk Assessment & Hazard Matrix Builder

List your workplace hazards and rate each one on likelihood and consequence to build a risk-rated register. Hazards are scored on a standard 5×5 risk matrix and banded Low to Critical, with hierarchy-of-controls guidance per band.

Last verified: 20 June 2026Jump to calculator ↓

A workplace risk assessment scores each hazard by likelihood × consequence on a standard 5×5 risk matrix (1-25), banded Low, Moderate, High and Critical. The bands steer how far up the hierarchy of controls (model WHS Regulations, reg 36) you should reach — from elimination down to PPE.

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