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Workplace Risk Assessment for Small Businesses — Generated Instantly for £29
A workplace risk assessment is a legal requirement under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. If you employ 5 or more people, you must record it in writing. Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant workplace risk assessment tailored to your small business premises, activities and staff in under 2 minutes — covering all significant hazards from slips and trips to manual handling, DSE, fire safety and lone working.
Used by sole traders, small business owners, office managers and employers across the UK
📋 Describe your business premises, activities and staff numbers — we'll produce a complete workplace risk assessment covering all significant hazards, from fire safety and manual handling to DSE, lone working and workplace transport. Regulation 3 of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires a suitable and sufficient assessment — Anyrisks delivers exactly that.
Legal requirements for workplace risk assessments
The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 places a general duty on every employer to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of all employees. This duty is expanded by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSWR), which require every employer to conduct a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to the health and safety of employees and others affected by the work.
Regulation 3(1) of MHSWR 1999 states that an employer must make a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks to health and safety arising out of or in connection with work. If you employ 5 or more people, Regulation 3(6) requires this assessment to be recorded in writing. Even if you employ fewer than 5 people, you still must conduct the assessment — it simply does not need to be documented. However, written evidence is strongly recommended for insurance purposes, local authority inspections, and as proof of compliance in the event of an accident or enforcement action.
The HSE estimates that there are over 565,000 non-fatal workplace injuries reported each year in the UK, with slips, trips and falls accounting for approximately 30% of all reported injuries. Manual handling injuries account for a further 20%, and work-related stress, depression and anxiety account for 17 million lost working days annually. A workplace risk assessment identifies these risks and sets out the control measures needed to prevent harm.
For small businesses, the workplace risk assessment typically covers office hazards (DSE, trailing cables, fire exits), manual handling (lifting stock, equipment), lone working (staff working alone in the building or off-site), workplace transport (delivery vehicles, forklifts), and COSHH substances (cleaning products, printer toner). If your business involves machinery, noise, or specialist activities, these must also be assessed. Anyrisks tailors the assessment to the specific activities, layout and staff roles in your business — you simply describe your premises and operations, and we produce a compliant, written assessment instantly.
How it works
1. Describe your workplace
Tell us about your business premises (office, warehouse, retail unit), the number of staff, the type of work carried out, and any specific hazards (machinery, chemicals, lone working, manual handling). Mention whether you have public access, deliveries, or night working — we'll tailor the assessment accordingly.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant workplace risk assessment referencing the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and all relevant specific regulations (DSE, COSHH, manual handling, fire safety).
3. Instant download and use
Download as PDF and Word. File it for compliance, share it with your insurer, give a copy to staff, or present it to the HSE or local authority during an inspection. £29, no subscription. Money-back guarantee within 24 hours if you're not satisfied.
What it covers
Every workplace risk assessment is written in full — covering all significant hazards present in your business premises and operations.
Slips, trips and falls — floor surfaces, trailing cables, wet floors, stairs
Manual handling — lifting stock, equipment, deliveries
Display screen equipment (DSE) — workstation setup, eye strain, posture
Fire safety — means of escape, fire extinguishers, emergency procedures
Workplace transport — forklifts, pallet trucks, delivery vehicles
Electrical safety — fixed wiring, portable appliances, overloaded sockets
Lone working — staff working alone in the building or off-site
Violence and aggression — dealing with the public, cash handling, night working
Work-related stress — workload, deadlines, job demands
COSHH substances — cleaning products, printer toner, adhesives
Noise exposure — machinery, equipment, open-plan offices
First aid provision — qualified first aiders, first aid kits, accident reporting
Pregnancy and new mothers — adjustments to work, manual handling restrictions
Young workers and work experience placements — supervision, training, restricted tasks
Works for
From sole traders to growing SMEs, Anyrisks covers every type of small business workplace.
What customers say
"We've got 8 staff in our warehouse and office. Our insurer asked for a workplace risk assessment and I had no idea where to start. Anyrisks gave me a professional document covering everything from manual handling to fire exits in 90 seconds. Brilliant."
David R.
Small business owner, Manchester
"I run a café with 6 part-time staff. The environmental health officer asked to see our risk assessment during an inspection. Anyrisks covered food safety, slips and trips, manual handling — everything they wanted to see. Worth every penny."
Emma T.
Café owner, Brighton
"We're a small accountancy practice with 12 staff. I used Anyrisks to produce our office risk assessment covering DSE, fire safety and lone working. It's exactly what we needed and saved me hours of reading HSE guidance."
Michael P.
Practice manager, Birmingham
Anyrisks vs DIY templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form to fill in | ✓ | ✗ |
| Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 referenced | ✓ | ✗ |
| Tailored to your specific business premises and activities | ✓ | ✗ |
| Covers all significant workplace hazards (fire, manual handling, DSE, lone working) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Suitable and sufficient under Regulation 3(1) MHSWR 1999 | ✓ | ✗ |
| Accepted by insurers, the HSE and local authority inspectors | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently asked questions
Do I legally need a workplace risk assessment for my small business?
Yes — if you employ 5 or more people (including part-time staff), the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require you to record your risk assessment in writing. Even if you employ fewer than 5, you still must conduct a risk assessment — it simply does not need to be written down. However, a written assessment is strongly recommended for insurance purposes, enforcement visits, and as evidence of compliance.
What hazards does a workplace risk assessment cover?
A workplace risk assessment covers all significant workplace hazards including slips, trips and falls, manual handling, display screen equipment (DSE), fire safety, workplace transport (forklifts, delivery vehicles), electrical safety, lone working, violence and aggression, work-related stress, COSHH substances, noise, and any machinery or equipment used in your premises. The assessment is tailored to the specific activities and layout of your business.
Can I use one workplace risk assessment for multiple sites?
Only if the sites are identical in layout, hazards and activities. If you operate from different premises — for example, a head office and a warehouse — you need separate assessments. Each assessment must reflect the specific hazards, activities and control measures at that location.
How often should I review my workplace risk assessment?
The HSE requires that risk assessments are reviewed regularly and whenever there is a significant change. For most small businesses, an annual review is appropriate. However, you must review immediately if there is an accident, a near miss, a change in staff numbers or roles, new equipment or processes, or if you move premises.
Does a workplace risk assessment satisfy my employer's liability insurance requirements?
Yes — most employer's liability insurers require evidence of a written workplace risk assessment. In the event of a claim, your insurer will ask to see it. A professionally written assessment demonstrates that you have taken reasonable steps to identify and control workplace risks, which supports your defence in any negligence claim.
Can I write my own workplace risk assessment or do I need a consultant?
You can write your own — the law does not require you to use a consultant. However, many small business owners lack the time or technical knowledge to write a compliant assessment. Anyrisks produces a fully written, regulation-referenced workplace risk assessment tailored to your business in under 2 minutes, for £29. It is accepted by insurers, the HSE, and local authority enforcement officers.
What if I run a home-based business — do I still need a workplace risk assessment?
Yes, if you employ anyone (including family members). If you work alone from home with no employees, you are not legally required to complete a written risk assessment, but it is still good practice — particularly if you use machinery, store hazardous substances, or have client visits. If you employ a cleaner, VA or part-time assistant, you become an employer and must conduct a risk assessment.
Does the assessment cover fire safety as well?
A workplace risk assessment covers general fire hazards (e.g. electrical faults, flammable materials, blocked escape routes). However, if you employ 5 or more people or your premises are open to the public, you also need a separate fire risk assessment under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. Anyrisks can generate both assessments — describe your premises and fire precautions and we will produce a compliant fire risk assessment as well.
Also see: Office Risk Assessment · Fire Risk Assessment · COSHH Risk Assessment · Manual Handling Risk Assessment · Lone Worker Risk Assessment · DSE Risk Assessment · Risk Assessment Legal Requirements