Health & Safety Risk Assessments
Phoenix STS provides comprehensive health and safety risk assessments for workplaces across Ireland. Our CMIOSH qualified consultants identify hazards, evaluate risks, and provide prioritised recommendations to protect your employees and ensure compliance with the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. Professional, detailed reports with actionable control measures.
Expert risk assessments help you identify workplace hazards, protect employees, and meet your legal obligations under Irish health and safety legislation.
Health and Safety Risk Assessments Ireland | Workplace Hazard Identification
A health and safety risk assessment is a systematic examination of your workplace to identify hazards that could cause harm to employees or others. Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, every employer must identify workplace hazards, assess the risks they present, and implement appropriate control measures.
Phoenix STS conducts thorough workplace risk assessments tailored to your operations. Our consultants examine all work activities, equipment, substances, and working environments to identify hazards and evaluate risks. We provide detailed reports with clear, prioritised recommendations that are practical and achievable.
⚖️ Health and Safety Risk Assessment Legal Requirements
The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 requires employers to identify workplace hazards and assess the risks they present. Risk assessments must be recorded in writing and form the basis of your safety statement. Failure to conduct risk assessments can result in HSA enforcement action, including improvement notices, prohibition notices, and prosecution.
What is a Health and Safety Risk Assessment?
A risk assessment identifies workplace hazards (anything that could cause harm) and evaluates the risks they present. Risk is the combination of the likelihood of harm occurring and the severity of that harm. The assessment process identifies who might be harmed and how, evaluates existing control measures, and determines what additional actions are needed to reduce risk to an acceptable level.
CMIOSH
Qualified Consultants
Detailed
Written Reports
Prioritised
Recommendations
All Sectors
Nationwide
Why Workplace Risk Assessments Are Essential for Safety Compliance
⚖️ Risk Assessment Legal Compliance Ireland
Risk assessments are a legal requirement under the SHWW Act 2005. Your safety statement must be based on risk assessment findings. Non-compliance can result in HSA enforcement action.
🛡️ Protect Employees Through Workplace Risk Assessment
Risk assessments identify hazards before they cause harm. Implementing control measures protects employees from injury and illness, creating a safer workplace for everyone.
💼 Risk Assessment for Insurance Compliance
Insurers require evidence of proactive risk management. Professional risk assessments demonstrate you take health and safety seriously and can support insurance applications and renewals.
📊 Prioritise Risk Assessment Safety Actions
Risk assessments help you focus resources where they matter most. By rating risks, you can prioritise actions and allocate budget to the highest priority improvements.
Types of Workplace Risk Assessments and Safety Evaluations
Phoenix STS conducts comprehensive risk assessments covering all workplace hazards:
Comprehensive Workplace Risk Assessment Services
- Comprehensive workplace evaluation
- All work activities and areas
- Identifies all significant hazards
- Foundation for safety statement
Manual Handling Risk Assessment Ireland
- Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling tasks
- Complies with 2007 Regulations
- Ergonomic evaluation
- Control measure recommendations
Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Risk Assessment
- Computer workstation assessment
- Ergonomic setup evaluation
- User posture and habits
- Equipment recommendations
COSHH Chemical Risk Assessment Services
- Hazardous substance identification
- Exposure route evaluation
- Control measures review
- Safety data sheet analysis
Work Equipment Risk Assessment Ireland
- Machinery and equipment safety
- Guarding and safeguards
- Maintenance requirements
- Operator competency
Specific Task Risk Assessment Services
- Working at height
- Confined spaces
- Lone working
- Hot works
Our Health and Safety Risk Assessment Process
Workplace Hazard Identification and Assessment
We systematically examine your workplace to identify all hazards. This includes physical hazards (machinery, slips, trips), chemical hazards (substances), biological hazards, ergonomic hazards, and psychosocial hazards. We review work activities, equipment, materials, and the working environment.
Risk Assessment: Identify Who Could Be Harmed
We identify which employees, contractors, visitors, or members of the public could be affected by each hazard. We pay particular attention to vulnerable groups such as young workers, pregnant workers, new employees, and those with disabilities.
Evaluate Workplace Risks and Safety Control Measures
We assess the likelihood of harm occurring and the potential severity. We evaluate your existing control measures to determine their effectiveness. Risks are rated using a risk matrix (typically likelihood × severity) to prioritise actions.
Record Risk Assessment Findings and Safety Recommendations
We provide a detailed written report documenting all identified hazards, risk ratings, existing controls, and recommended improvements. Recommendations follow the hierarchy of controls: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE.
Review and Update Risk Assessments Regularly
Risk assessments are not static documents. We recommend regular reviews (at least annually) and updates following any significant changes, accidents, near misses, or changes in legislation. We can provide ongoing support to maintain your risk assessments.
⚙️ Risk Assessment Hierarchy of Controls
Our risk assessment recommendations follow the hierarchy of controls, the internationally recognised framework for reducing workplace risks:
- Elimination: Remove the hazard completely (most effective)
- Substitution: Replace the hazard with something less dangerous
- Engineering Controls: Isolate people from the hazard (guards, ventilation, barriers)
- Administrative Controls: Change the way people work (training, procedures, signage)
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Protect the worker (least effective, last resort)
This approach ensures control measures are as effective as possible and reduces reliance on PPE alone.
What’s Included in Your Workplace Risk Assessment Report
- Executive summary
- Detailed hazard identification
- Risk ratings (likelihood × severity)
- Existing control measure evaluation
- Prioritised recommendations
- Action plan with timescales
- Photographic evidence where relevant
- Legislative references
Health and Safety Risk Assessment Legislative Framework Ireland
Our risk assessments ensure compliance with Irish health and safety legislation:
- Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005: Requires employers to identify workplace hazards, assess risks, and implement control measures. Risk assessments must be in writing and form the basis of the safety statement (Section 20).
- General Application Regulations 2007: Specific requirements for manual handling (Part 3), display screen equipment (Part 5), personal protective equipment (Part 2), work at height, electricity, and other workplace hazards.
- Industry-Specific Regulations: Additional requirements for construction (2013 Regulations), chemicals (2015 Regulations), biological agents (2013 Regulations), and other specific hazards depending on your sector.
📅 When to Review Workplace Risk Assessments
Risk assessments should be reviewed and updated:
- Regularly: At least annually as a minimum
- After accidents or near misses: To prevent recurrence
- When significant changes occur: New equipment, processes, or work activities
- Following legislation changes: When new regulations are introduced
- After structural changes: Building modifications or layout changes
- When vulnerable workers join: Young workers, pregnant workers, those with disabilities
Regular review ensures your risk assessments remain current and effective. Phoenix STS can provide ongoing review and update services.
Why Choose Phoenix STS for Health and Safety Risk Assessments
✅ CMIOSH Qualified Consultants: Chartered Members of the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health with extensive experience conducting risk assessments across multiple sectors.
✅ Practical Recommendations: We provide realistic, achievable recommendations that work in your real-world operations, not just theoretical solutions.
✅ Detailed Reports: Clear, comprehensive written reports with hazard descriptions, risk ratings, existing controls, and prioritised recommendations.
✅ Legislative Compliance: Our assessments ensure compliance with the SHWW Act 2005, General Application Regulations 2007, and sector-specific regulations.
✅ All Sectors: Experience across offices, manufacturing, hospitality, retail, healthcare, construction, and public sector organisations.
✅ Integration with Safety Statements: Risk assessment findings feed directly into your safety statement for seamless compliance.
✅ Nationwide Coverage: We serve clients throughout Ireland from our Longford base.
✅ Professional Indemnity Insured: Full PI cover for your peace of mind.
Common Workplace Hazards in Our Risk Assessment Services
Our risk assessments identify and evaluate all workplace hazards, including:
Slips, Trips and Falls
Floor surfaces, obstructions, lighting, stairs
Manual Handling
Lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling tasks
Work Equipment
Machinery, tools, vehicles, maintenance
Chemicals & Substances
Cleaning products, solvents, dusts, fumes
Fire Safety
Ignition sources, combustibles, means of escape
Electricity
Equipment, cables, sockets, fixed installations
Work at Height
Ladders, scaffolds, elevated platforms, roofs
Display Screen Equipment
Computer workstations, ergonomics, posture
Violence & Aggression
Customer-facing roles, lone working
Noise & Vibration
Machinery, tools, equipment exposures
Temperature Extremes
Hot environments, cold stores, outdoor work
Stress & Wellbeing
Work demands, support, control, relationships
Health and Safety Risk Assessment FAQs Ireland
Do all employers need risk assessments?
Yes. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 requires all employers to identify workplace hazards and assess the risks they present. This applies to businesses of all sizes, from sole traders to large corporations. Risk assessments must be in writing.
Can I do my own risk assessment?
You can conduct your own risk assessments if you have sufficient knowledge, training, and experience. However, the General Application Regulations 2007 require access to competent health and safety advice. Many businesses benefit from professional assistance to ensure all hazards are identified and risks properly evaluated.
What is the difference between a hazard and a risk?
A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm (a wet floor, a chemical, a piece of machinery). Risk is the likelihood that someone will be harmed by the hazard, combined with the severity of the harm. Risk assessment evaluates both likelihood and severity to prioritise actions.
How often should risk assessments be reviewed?
Risk assessments should be reviewed at least annually as a minimum. They must also be reviewed and updated after any significant change (new equipment, processes, incidents), following accidents or near misses, or when legislation changes. Regular review ensures assessments remain current and effective.
What is a risk rating or risk matrix?
A risk rating combines the likelihood of harm occurring with the severity of that harm to produce an overall risk score. A typical risk matrix uses a 5×5 grid (likelihood from 1-5, severity from 1-5) producing risk scores from 1 (trivial) to 25 (extreme). This helps prioritise which risks need immediate attention and which can be addressed over time.
Do risk assessments need to cover contractors and visitors?
Yes. The SHWW Act 2005 requires employers to ensure the safety of not just employees, but also contractors, visitors, and members of the public who may be affected by your work activities. Risk assessments must consider all people who could be harmed, including vulnerable groups.
What happens if I don’t have risk assessments?
Failure to conduct risk assessments breaches the SHWW Act 2005. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) can issue improvement notices requiring you to complete assessments within a specified timeframe. Serious or repeated failures can result in prohibition notices (stopping work), prosecution, and fines. Risk assessments are also typically required by insurance policies.
How much does a risk assessment cost?
The cost depends on your business size, complexity, number of work activities, and the scope of assessment required. We provide competitive quotations tailored to your specific needs. Contact us for a no-obligation quote.
Can you help implement the recommendations?
Yes. We provide implementation support including policy development, arranging training, sourcing equipment, and ongoing competent person support. Our goal is not just to identify risks but to help you manage them effectively.
Related Risk Assessment and Workplace Safety Services
Risk assessments work alongside our other consultancy services:
Identify Hazards. Evaluate Risks. Protect Your People.
Professional risk assessments are the foundation of effective health and safety management. Don’t wait for an accident to identify workplace hazards.
CMIOSH qualified consultants. Detailed reports. Practical recommendations. Nationwide service.
Page updated: January 2026
