What Does A Risk Assessor Do?

Effective risk management is essential in creating safe, legally compliant and productive working environments. Central to this process is the risk assessor—a professional whose expertise helps organisations identify, evaluate and manage potential threats to health, safety and operations.

In this guide, we’ll answer the question: what does a risk assessor do? We’ll also explore the risk assessor’s role, responsibilities, qualifications and how businesses can benefit from incorporating professional risk assessments into their safety strategy.

What Is A Risk Assessor?

A risk assessor is a trained professional responsible for identifying potential hazards within a workplace and evaluating the likelihood and consequences of those risks. The goal is to implement suitable control measures that reduce the likelihood of harm to people, property, or the environment.

Risk assessors play a key role in a wide range of industries, including construction, manufacturing, healthcare, logistics and office environments. Their work ensures businesses comply with UK health and safety laws, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

Why Is The Risk Assessor Role Important?

Workplace accidents and health issues can have serious consequences, ranging from injury and illness to legal liabilities and reputational damage. Risk assessors help to:

• Prevent accidents and incidents
• Ensure compliance with legal obligations
• Promote a proactive safety culture
• Support business continuity
• Reduce insurance costs and claims

Their findings serve as the foundation for health and safety policies, emergency procedures and ongoing risk control strategies.

Key Responsibilities Of A Risk Assessor

The risk assessor role involves several essential tasks that contribute to safer workplaces. These include:

1. Identifying Hazards

Risk assessors begin by identifying anything in the workplace that could cause harm. Hazards may be physical (e.g. machinery), chemical (e.g. hazardous substances), biological (e.g. bacteria or viruses), ergonomic (e.g. poor workstation design), or psychosocial (e.g. work-related stress).

Methods used include:

• Site walkthroughs
• Reviewing accident reports
• Speaking with employees and supervisors
• Analysing operating procedures

Related Reading: Health And Safety 101: Explaining The Differences Between Risks And Hazards

2. Assessing Risk Levels

Once hazards are identified, the risk assessor evaluates:

• The likelihood that the hazard will cause harm
• The severity of potential consequences
• Who might be affected (e.g. employees, contractors, visitors)
• The frequency of exposure

They typically use a risk matrix to categorise risks as low, medium, or high.

Related Reading: What Are The 5 Steps To Risk Assessment?

3. Recommending Control Measures

After assessing risk levels, the risk assessor suggests appropriate control measures based on the hierarchy of risk control:

1. Elimination
2. Substitution
3. Engineering controls
4. Administrative controls
5. Personal protective equipment (PPE)

4. Documenting Risk Assessments

A risk assessor prepares formal documentation that includes:

• A description of identified hazards
• The risk rating for each hazard
• Recommended control measures
• A timeline for implementation
• Assigned responsibilities

This document forms part of an organisation’s health and safety management system and supports legal compliance.

5. Monitoring And Reviewing Risk Controls

Risk isn’t static. Risk assessors revisit their assessments regularly—especially after:

• Incidents or near misses
• Changes in work processes or equipment
• Introduction of new substances or tools
• Regulatory updates

Ongoing reviews help ensure that control measures remain effective.

Qualifications Of A Risk Assessor

There is no single required path to becoming a risk assessor, but most professionals will hold qualifications such as:

• NEBOSH General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety
• IOSH Managing Safely
• Level 3 or 6 NVQ in Occupational Health and Safety
• Higher education in health and safety, environmental science, or engineering

Some may also pursue Chartered Membership of IOSH (CMIOSH) for career progression.

Industries That Rely On Risk Assessors

While every workplace has risks, some sectors rely heavily on risk assessors due to the nature of their operations:

• Construction: Assessing structural safety, equipment usage and working at height.
• Manufacturing: Identifying risks associated with machinery, chemicals and repetitive tasks.
• Healthcare: Evaluating biological hazards, manual handling and patient safety.
• Warehousing & Logistics: Managing vehicle movements, lifting operations and fire safety.
• Energy and Utilities: Addressing electrical hazards, confined spaces and remote work.
• Education and Offices: Focusing on ergonomics, fire evacuation procedures and mental health.

Difference Between A Risk Assessor And A Health And Safety Officer

While the roles overlap, they’re not identical:

Role	Focus
Risk Assessor	Specialises in evaluating hazards and providing risk control recommendations.
Health and Safety Officer	A broader role that involves enforcement of policies, training, compliance monitoring and incident response.

In many businesses, the risk assessor is part of the wider health and safety team.

The Legal Obligation To Conduct Risk Assessments

According to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, all employers must:

• Conduct suitable and sufficient risk assessments
• Record the findings if they have five or more employees
• Review assessments when necessary
• Implement effective control measures

Failure to do so can lead to:

• Prohibition or improvement notices
• Fines and legal action
• Reputational damage

A competent risk assessor helps ensure compliance, reducing the risk of enforcement action by the HSE.

How Often Should A Risk Assessor Conduct Assessments?

There’s no fixed interval, but best practice suggests reviewing assessments:

• Annually, as part of general health and safety reviews
• After any significant changes, such as new equipment, processes, or materials
• Following incidents or near-misses
• When staff raise concerns or hazards are reported.

Routine assessments build a proactive safety culture and help businesses stay ahead of regulatory changes.

Related Reading: When Should a Risk Assessment Be Carried Out?

How Veriforce CHAS Supports Risk Assessors

At Veriforce CHAS, we support businesses in developing competent, confident risk assessors by offering:

CHAS RAMS: A Streamlined Solution

CHAS RAMS is a tool that helps users create professional risk assessments and method statements online. Veriforce CHAS members can even claim a free one-month trial through their dashboard.

Training And Certification

Veriforce CHAS offers guidance for risk assessors and can help you achieve verification that demonstrates your business is compliant and safety-focused.

Benefits Of Hiring Or Training A Risk Assessor

Whether you hire a professional or train an in-house staff member, having a qualified risk assessor on your team leads to:

• Fewer workplace incidents and near-misses
• Higher employee morale and engagement
• Faster compliance with industry regulations
• Reduced downtime and operational disruptions
• Lower insurance premiums

Investing in the risk assessor role is a smart, long-term decision that strengthens your safety performance and reputation.

Whether you’re operating in construction, manufacturing, healthcare, or any other industry, the presence of a skilled risk assessor can dramatically improve workplace safety and compliance.

Ready To Strengthen Your Health And Safety Strategy?

Get in touch with Veriforce CHAS to explore our RAMS tools, risk assessment templates and compliance support services. Our experts are here to help you improve your risk management approach and protect your workforce.