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Veterinary Practice Risk Assessment — Generated Instantly for £29
Describe your practice — species treated, services offered, anaesthetic and imaging equipment used. We generate a fully written, UK-compliant veterinary practice risk assessment covering animal handling, zoonotic disease, sharps and controlled drugs in minutes.
Built for veterinary surgeons, practice managers and veterinary nurses running small animal, equine and mixed practices
🐾 Treating patients that can bite, scratch or kick? Mention the species and procedures you handle — we'll include restraint, sedation, zoonotic disease and sharps controls specific to your practice.
Legal requirements for veterinary practices
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 places a general duty on veterinary practices, as employers, to protect the health and safety of staff, clients and visitors. Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires a suitable and sufficient risk assessment covering animal handling, clinical procedures and premises risks, with significant findings recorded in writing where there are five or more employees.
The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH) apply to zoonotic disease exposure, anaesthetic gases, disinfectants, cytotoxic drugs and cleaning chemicals used throughout the practice. Practices using X-ray or other imaging equipment must also comply with the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017, including appointing a radiation protection supervisor and controlling access to designated areas.
A written risk assessment is expected by the HSE, professional indemnity insurers and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons as evidence of a managed health and safety system. If you are unsure whether your practice already has a compliant assessment in place, see our guide on whether you need a risk assessment.
How it works
1. Describe your practice
Tell us the species you treat, the procedures carried out, and whether you use anaesthetic gases, X-ray equipment or controlled drugs. Mention if staff carry out farm or mobile visits.
2. Let the app take the strain
Anyrisks produces a fully written, UK-compliant veterinary practice risk assessment referencing the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and COSHH 2002.
3. Instant download and use
Download as PDF and Word. File it for your practice inspection, share it with staff, or use our AI risk assessment generator again as your services evolve. £29, no subscription.
What it covers
Every veterinary practice risk assessment is written in full — covering clinical, zoonotic and premises hazards.
Animal bites, scratches and kick injuries
Safe restraint, handling and sedation procedures
Zoonotic disease exposure and infection control
Needlestick and sharps injuries
Waste anaesthetic gas exposure
Controlled drugs storage, handling and disposal
COSHH — disinfectants, cytotoxic drugs, cleaning chemicals
Ionising radiation from X-ray and imaging equipment
Clinical waste segregation and disposal
Manual handling of animals and equipment
Slips, trips and spills in clinical areas
Lone working for home visits and out-of-hours call-outs
Fire safety and evacuation with animals on site
Client and visitor safety in waiting areas
Works for
From small animal clinics to equine and farm practices, Anyrisks covers every type of veterinary setting.
Anyrisks vs DIY templates
| Anyrisks | DIY / Templates | |
|---|---|---|
| Written in full — not a blank form | ✓ | ✗ |
| Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 referenced | ✓ | ✗ |
| COSHH 2002 zoonotic and chemical risks included | ✓ | ✗ |
| Animal handling and restraint controls specific to your species | ✓ | ✗ |
| Controlled drugs and sharps procedures included | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ionising radiation covered for X-ray equipment | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ready in under 2 minutes | ✓ | ✗ |
| Instant PDF and Word download | ✓ | Sometimes |
Frequently asked questions
Does a veterinary practice need a written risk assessment?
Yes. Regulation 3(1) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 requires every employer, including veterinary practices, to carry out a suitable and sufficient assessment of risks to staff and others. Practices with five or more employees must also record the significant findings in writing.
Does this cover animal handling and bite or kick injuries?
Yes — describe the species you treat (small animals, equine, farm) and the assessment will include controls for bites, scratches, kicks, crush injuries and the use of restraint equipment, sedation and chemical restraint where relevant.
Is zoonotic disease risk included?
Yes. Zoonotic infection risk is covered under the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), including controls for handling sick animals, bites, scratches, needlestick injuries and contact with bodily fluids.
Does it cover anaesthetic gases and controlled drugs?
Yes — exposure to waste anaesthetic gases, sharps handling and the safe storage and disposal of controlled drugs and veterinary medicines are addressed, referencing COSHH 2002 and the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001.
Does it cover diagnostic imaging and radiation safety?
Yes — if your practice uses X-ray equipment, mention it and the assessment will reference the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017, including controlled areas, dosimetry and radiation protection supervisor duties.
Can it cover a mixed practice with a mobile or farm visiting service?
Yes — describe your setting (small animal clinic, equine, farm visits, mobile unit) and the assessment will be tailored to include lone working, travel and on-farm hazards alongside in-clinic risks.
Does it cover clinical waste and sharps disposal?
Yes — safe segregation, storage and disposal of clinical waste and sharps is included, in line with the Health and Safety (Sharp Instruments in Healthcare) Regulations 2013 and relevant waste duty of care requirements.
How long does it take to generate?
Under 2 minutes. Describe your practice, the species treated and the services you offer, and Anyrisks produces a complete, regulation-referenced veterinary practice risk assessment instantly.
Also see: The ultimate guide to risk assessment · Do I need a risk assessment? · Risk assessment legal requirements · AI risk assessment generator