Hazard Identification
Learn how to identify workplace hazards including physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and environmental risks.
Risk assessment training teaches people to identify workplace hazards, judge who could be harmed and how seriously, and put proportionate controls in place. Every UK employer must carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and must appoint competent people to help them do it – training is the usual way that competence is built and evidenced.
The courses below run from a short online introduction to NEBOSH qualifications, plus topic-specific training for DSE, manual handling, fire, asbestos, lifting operations, RAMS and Legionella.
General Risk Assessment Courses and NEBOSH Qualifications
Start here if you carry out or sign off general workplace risk assessments, or write risk assessments and method statements for contract work.
Introduction to Risk Assessment
Online training covering what risk assessments are, why they matter, relevant legislation, hazard identification and employer and employee responsibilities.
Risk Assessment / Method Statement (RAMS)
RAMS training for those who write risk assessments and method statements for clients, principal contractors and permit-controlled work.
NEBOSH HSE Award in Managing Risks & Risk Assessment at Work
A recognised qualification developed with the HSE and built on its approach to controlling the risks caused by workplace hazards.
NEBOSH IIRSM Certificate in Managing Risk
Wider risk management training for managers, leaders and professionals responsible for organisational risk, not only health and safety.
DSE Assessor Training
The Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992 require employers to assess the workstations of DSE users, including those working from home or on a hybrid pattern. These courses train the people who carry out those assessments.
DSE Assessor
Learn how to conduct display screen equipment assessments, understand the legal requirements and identify DSE-related hazards and risk factors.
CIEHF DSE Workstation Assessor
Training designed to help learners become competent DSE workstation assessors for office, hybrid and home-working environments.
DSE Assessment Workshop
Workshop-style training for managers, safety representatives and those responsible for carrying out ergonomic DSE assessments.
Fire Risk Assessment Qualifications
Under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 the responsible person must make sure a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment is carried out. Since 1 October 2023, in England and Wales, it must be recorded in full whatever the size of the business. See all fire safety training.
SFJ Awards Level 3 Certificate in Fire Risk Assessment
Foundation-level fire risk assessment qualification for learners who wish to assess low-risk premises.
ProQual Level 3 Award in Intermediate Fire Risk Assessment
Ofqual-regulated qualification for those responsible for carrying out fire risk assessments in workplaces or public buildings.
Task and Hazard Specific Risk Assessment Courses
Some hazards have their own regulations and their own assessment method. These courses cover the assessment each set of regulations expects.
Manual Handling Risk Assessment
How to assess manual handling tasks under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 and apply safer working practices to reduce injury.
Essentials of Asbestos Safety Risk Assessment
For those who need to understand asbestos hazards, asbestos-containing materials and the risk assessment process.
LOLER Risk Assessment
Awareness training explaining how the risk assessment process applies to lifting operations and duties under LOLER 1998.
Legionella Risk Management for Responsible Person
How to identify, assess and control Legionella risks in water systems in line with the relevant legislation and the HSE Approved Code of Practice L8.
Which Risk Assessment Course Do I Need?
| If you need to… | Usual route |
|---|---|
| Understand risk assessment for the first time | Introduction to Risk Assessment |
| Carry out and record general workplace risk assessments with a recognised qualification | NEBOSH HSE Award in Managing Risks & Risk Assessment at Work |
| Write RAMS for tenders, clients or principal contractors | Risk Assessment / Method Statement |
| Assess workstations for office, hybrid and home workers | DSE Assessor or CIEHF DSE Workstation Assessor |
| Assess lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling tasks | Manual Handling Risk Assessment |
| Carry out fire risk assessments of simple, low-risk premises | SFJ Awards Level 3 Certificate in Fire Risk Assessment |
| Take on fire risk assessment of workplaces and public buildings | ProQual Level 3 Award in Intermediate Fire Risk Assessment |
| Act as the responsible person for a water system | Legionella Risk Management for Responsible Person |
| Manage risk across an organisation, beyond health and safety | NEBOSH IIRSM Certificate in Managing Risk |
The Five Steps Every Course Is Built On
Whatever the topic, risk assessment training follows the process set out by the Health and Safety Executive. For a full walkthrough, see how to conduct a risk assessment.
1. Identify hazards
Look at tasks, equipment, substances and the workplace itself for anything that could cause harm.
2. Assess the risks
Decide who might be harmed and how, how likely it is and how serious it could be.
3. Control the risks
Remove the hazard where you can; otherwise reduce the risk so far as is reasonably practicable.
4. Record your findings
Employers with five or more employees must record the significant findings.
5. Review the controls
Check they are working, and revisit after changes, incidents or near misses.
Putting it into practice? See the health and safety tools available at /tools/.
Risk Assessment Training FAQs
Is risk assessment training a legal requirement?
The law requires the risk assessment, not a particular certificate. Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires a suitable and sufficient assessment, and regulation 7 requires employers to appoint one or more competent people to help them meet their duties. Competence means having the right training, knowledge and experience, so training is how most employers show that the people doing their assessments are competent.
Who can carry out a risk assessment?
Anyone competent to do so. In many workplaces that is a manager or supervisor who knows the work and has been trained in the process. Higher-risk or specialist assessments, such as fire, asbestos or Legionella, need more specific knowledge, and an employer can bring in outside help where that competence is not available in-house. The employer remains responsible either way.
Do risk assessments have to be written down?
Employers with five or more employees must record the significant findings of their general risk assessment. Fire is stricter: in England and Wales, since 1 October 2023 the responsible person must record the fire risk assessment in full, regardless of the size of the business. Recording is good practice for every employer, because it is the evidence that the assessment was done.
How often should a risk assessment be reviewed?
The regulations set no fixed interval. An assessment must be reviewed when there is reason to think it is no longer valid, or when there has been a significant change – new equipment, substances, processes, premises or people, or after an accident or near miss. Many organisations also set a routine review, commonly annual, so nothing is missed.
What is the difference between a risk assessment and a method statement?
A risk assessment identifies the hazards and the controls needed. A method statement describes, step by step, how the job will be done safely with those controls in place. Together they are known as RAMS, and clients and principal contractors often ask for both before work starts. See our method statements guidance.
Can risk assessment training be done online?
Yes. Most of the courses on this page are delivered online, including the NEBOSH awards and the Level 3 fire risk assessment qualifications. Check each course page for its format, assessment method and the certificate awarded.
Risk Assessment and Workplace Safety Guidance
Background reading on the regulations behind each type of assessment.
Risk Assessment
How to identify hazards, evaluate risk and choose suitable controls.
Fire Safety
Fire hazards, evacuation arrangements and the responsible person’s duties.
Manual Handling
Avoid, assess and reduce: the hierarchy for lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling.
Display Screen Equipment
Workstation risks, posture, screen use and hybrid working arrangements.
Hazardous Substances (COSHH)
Controlling exposure to chemicals, dust, fumes, vapours and other harmful substances.
Asbestos
The duty to manage, surveys, and when asbestos work needs a specific assessment.
Legal Responsibilities
Employer and employee duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
Learn More About Risk Assessment Training
Risk assessment training helps employees, supervisors, managers and organisations identify workplace hazards, assess risks and implement suitable control measures to reduce the likelihood of accidents, injuries and operational disruption.
Effective risk assessment plays a central role in workplace health and safety management and supports safer working environments across construction, manufacturing, logistics, engineering, healthcare, offices and commercial workplaces.
Risk Evaluation
Develop awareness of how to assess risk levels, prioritise hazards and evaluate the likelihood and severity of harm.
Control Measures
Understand practical control measures including safer systems of work, engineering controls, procedures and PPE.
What Does Risk Assessment Training Cover?
Courses typically cover hazard identification, workplace legislation, risk control methods, legal responsibilities, documentation procedures, reporting requirements and practical workplace application.
Legal Responsibilities
Understand employer and employee duties relating to workplace health and safety and risk management.
Documentation & Reporting
Learn how risk assessments should be recorded, reviewed and maintained to support compliance and continual improvement.
Practical Application
Apply theoretical knowledge to real workplace situations through practical examples and risk assessment scenarios.
Who Should Attend Risk Assessment Training?
Risk assessment courses are suitable for employees, supervisors, managers, health and safety representatives, business owners, facilities managers and professionals responsible for workplace safety and operational risk management.
Employees & Team Members
Suitable for workers who need a better understanding of workplace hazards, procedures and safer working practices.
Supervisors & Managers
Helps supervisors and managers oversee safer working environments and support effective risk control measures.
Health & Safety Professionals
Supports safety professionals responsible for carrying out, reviewing or managing workplace risk assessments.
Flexible Training Formats Available
Risk assessment training is available through classroom courses, instructor-led virtual learning and flexible online e-learning formats to support different workplace and learner requirements.
Risk assessment training helps organisations strengthen workplace safety, improve hazard awareness, support compliance and reduce the likelihood of accidents and incidents.