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Retail Risk Assessment — Done in 2 Minutes
Describe your retail environment. We generate a UK-compliant risk assessment instantly.
How It Works
1. Describe Your Store
Tell us your store type, layout, staffing, products, and any specific hazards or activities.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant retail risk assessment tailored to your store.
3. Instant Download and Use
Download immediately. Keep on file for HSE inspections, insurer requests, or staff inductions.
What It Covers
Every retail risk assessment is written in full — covering all hazards relevant to your store and operations.
Customer and public safety in the retail space
Slips, trips, and falls — aisles, flooring, wet surfaces
Manual handling — stock movement, shelf replenishment, deliveries
Working at height — shelf stacking, stockroom ladders
COSHH — cleaning products, pest control
Cash handling and personal security
Lone working (opening and closing procedures)
Display and shelving stability
Fire safety and emergency evacuation
Electrical equipment safety (tills, lighting, EPOS systems)
Violence and aggression risk
Works For
Any retail environment — Anyrisks covers it.
What Customers Say
“I run an independent clothing shop and had never done a formal risk assessment. Anyrisks made it straightforward — slips, manual handling, fire, COSHH, all covered.”
Lisa W.
Independent retailer, York
“Our insurer asked for an updated risk assessment. Anyrisks had it done in minutes and covered everything — including lone working procedures for opening up.”
Neil B.
Hardware shop owner, Nottingham
“We take on seasonal staff at Christmas. Anyrisks included induction, supervision, and manual handling controls for temporary workers automatically.”
Emma C.
Gift shop manager, Bath
Join thousands of UK businesses getting risk assessments done in minutes.
You’ll be delighted with your Risk Assessment, or your money back.
Anyrisks vs DIY Templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers violence, lone working, and cash handling | ✓ | ✗ |
| Includes seasonal and temporary worker controls | ✓ | ✗ |
| Specific to your store type and layout | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do retail businesses need to carry out a risk assessment?
Yes. Under Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR), every employer must carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment. For retail businesses with 5 or more employees, the significant findings must be recorded in writing. The assessment should cover all activities within the store including lone working, manual handling, slips and trips, customer-facing areas, and display screen equipment.
What does RIDDOR require from retail businesses?
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) require employers to report certain workplace incidents to the HSE. In retail, reportable incidents include: fatalities, specified injuries (e.g. fractures, amputations), over-7-day injuries that cause absence, dangerous occurrences (e.g. structural collapse), and occupational diseases. A well-documented risk assessment demonstrates you have identified and controlled the hazards that lead to RIDDOR-reportable incidents.
What are the lone working requirements for retail?
There is no specific law prohibiting lone working in retail, but the MHSWR 1999 and HSWA 1974 require you to assess and control the risks. Lone workers in retail face specific risks including violence and aggression, medical emergencies, and slips/trips with no immediate help. Your risk assessment must identify these risks and include appropriate controls: check-in procedures, panic alarms, buddy systems, or monitoring. Lone working is particularly relevant for staff who open or close the store alone.
Do I need a separate risk assessment for manual handling in retail?
Manual handling in retail (stock movement, shelf stacking, deliveries) is covered under the Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR). You must avoid manual handling where reasonably practicable and, where it cannot be avoided, assess the risk and reduce it so far as reasonably practicable. This assessment forms part of your overall retail risk assessment.
How often should a retail risk assessment be reviewed?
Regulation 3(3) of the MHSWR 1999 requires you to review the assessment when there is reason to believe it is no longer valid, or if there has been a significant change in the matters it relates to — for example if a new product line, layout change, or RIDDOR-reportable incident occurs.
How long does it take?
Under 2 minutes. Describe your retail premises and Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant risk assessment instantly.
Retail Risk Assessments and UK Law
Legal duties for retail businesses under UK health and safety legislation.
MHSWR 1999 and HSWA 1974
Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires every employer to carry out a suitable and sufficient risk assessment of risks to employees and non-employees. For retail businesses with 5 or more employees, the significant findings must be recorded in writing. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (Section 2) also requires employers to provide safe systems of work, adequate training, and a safe working environment for all employees including part-time, temporary, and seasonal staff.
RIDDOR 2013 — Reporting Requirements
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR) require retail employers to report fatalities, specified injuries, over-7-day absence injuries, dangerous occurrences, and occupational diseases to the HSE. Retail is among the sectors with higher rates of reportable injuries — slips, trips, manual handling, and violence being the most common. A documented risk assessment demonstrates you have identified and controlled these hazards.
Lone Working Requirements
There is no specific law prohibiting lone working in retail, but MHSWR 1999 and the HSWA 1974 require you to assess and control all risks including those specific to lone workers. Retail lone workers face elevated risks from violence and aggression, medical emergencies, slips and trips with no immediate help. Your risk assessment must include controls: check-in procedures, lone worker monitoring systems, panic alarms, and procedures for store opening and closing.
Manual Handling Ops Regulations 1992
The Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992 (MHOR) require retail employers to: avoid manual handling where reasonably practicable; assess the risk of manual handling operations that cannot be avoided; and reduce the risk of injury so far as is reasonably practicable. Retail stock movement, shelf stacking, delivery receiving, and seasonal stock operations all fall within MHOR scope. This assessment forms part of your overall retail risk assessment.