Task/Activity:.
UCL Estates & Facilities Division
RISK ASSESSMENT FORM 2
Job No.
Probability of harm (P)
Very unlikely=1 / Unlikely =2 / Likely=3 / Very Likely=4
Severity of harm (S)
Slight=1 / Moderate=2 / Major=3 / Extreme=4
Probability x Severity=Risk (R)
Risk level: 1-2 = Low / 3-6 = Medium
8-9 = High / 12-16 = Intolerable
Calculate
Initial Risk
THOSE AT RISK
HAZARD / RISK
operative
Others
staff /
(visitors
students public
etc.)
P
Assessment
of Initial
Risk
x S = R
(L. M. H. I.)
1
x
=
2
x
=
3
x
=
4
x
=
5
x
=
6
x
=
7
x
=
8
x
=
9
x
=
10
x
=
11
x
=
12
x
=
13
x
=
14
x
=
15
x
=
16
x
=
The Initial
Hazard/
Risk No.
Assessors Name:
Remaining
Risk
(L or M)
LIST THE CONTROL MEASURES NEEDED OR IN PLACE TO REDUCE THE RISK
Signature:
Date:
RISK ASSESSMENT GUIDANCE NOTES
The level of risk depends on a combination of the probability of harm and the severity of harm. The table below demonstrates the assessment of risk:
Probability of harm x Severity of harm = Level of risk (Risk levels: 1-2 = Low (L) / 3-6 = Medium (M) / 8-9 = High / 12-16 = Intolerable)
The probability of harm
The severity of harm
Very unlikely 1
Unlikely 2
Likely 3
Very likely
4
Slight 1
e.g. Nuisance, irritation,
temporary ill health
LOW
=1
LOW
=2
MEDIUM
=3
MEDIUM
=4
LOW
=2
MEDIUM
=4
MEDIUM
=6
HIGH
=8
MEDIUM
=3
MEDIUM
=6
HIGH
=9
INTOLERABLE
=12
MEDIUM
=4
HIGH
=8
INTOLERABLE
=12
INTOLERABLE
=16
Moderate 2
e.g. Medical Attention with
several days off work
Major 3
e.g. Long term Injury or Illness
Extreme 4
e.g. Kill or Permanently Maim
To use the Risk Assessment Form:
1 Identify the Task/Activity
2 Identify those likely to be at risk (tick as appropriate)
3 Identify the hazard and the risks that might result from the hazard (there may be more than one risk resulting from a hazard)
4 Assess the initial risk (before any safety control measures are applied): Likelihood x Severity=Risk Level (R)
5 List the safety control measures in place or that need to be applied to reduce the identified risks
6 Assess the remaining risk level once all the control measures are applied.
7 The task activity must not proceed if the remaining risk level is High or Intolerable.
RISK LEVEL
TRIVIAL

The risk is so small that no control measures or records are needed
LOW (1-2)



Control measures are not necessarily needed
Consider better solutions that don’t cause extra costs
The situation should be monitored to keep the risk under control



Control measures should be taken to reduce the risk. A suitable timescale can be planned for implementing the controls
The cost-effectiveness of the control measures should be carefully considered
If very harmful consequences are foreseeable (such as serious injury or fire in a production facility) the probability of the event should be
re-examined more thoroughly.



Work should not be started until the risk has been reduced.
Considerable resources may be needed to reduce the risk.
Where work is in progress, urgent action should be taken to reduce the risk.
MEDIUM (3-6)
HIGH (8-9)
INTOLERABLE (12-16) 
Work should not be started or continued until the risk has been reduced – regardless of the cost of the control measures.