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Risk Assessment Register Template
An Excel workbook for a workplace risk register: hazards scored for severity and likelihood before and after controls, the hierarchy of controls level, owners, due dates, review dates, and a summary by risk band.
The Register tab lists each hazard with its area, harm, who is exposed, and existing controls. You score severity and likelihood from 1 to 5, and the workbook calculates the risk and its band using limits you can edit on the Settings tab. You then choose additional controls and their level in the hierarchy of controls, and score the residual risk. The risk reduction calculates.
Each row has an owner, due date, status, the date assessed, and a review interval, from which the next review date and its status calculate. A Dashboard tab counts risks by band before and after the controls, shows a heat map, the top ten residual risks, the mix of controls by level in the hierarchy, the risks by area, and the open and overdue actions and reviews. A Start Here tab walks you through the workflow.
Example risks for a metal fabrication plant are included so you can see the formulas working before you replace them.
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What Is Included in the Workbook
| Sheet | Purpose | What Teams Capture |
|---|---|---|
| Start Here | Orientation and workflow | What the workbook does and a numbered workflow with a link to the sheet for each step |
| Dashboard | Live summary of the register | Risks assessed, high and extreme risks before and after the controls, average risk reduction, risks by band, a heat map, the top ten residual risks, the control mix by hierarchy level, risks by area, and open and overdue actions and reviews |
| Register | The risk register (Excel Table) | Hazard, harm, controls, scores, bands, control level, residual risk, owner, due date, status, review date |
| Settings | Scales, band limits, and lists | Severity and likelihood descriptors, editable band limits, the alert window, and the dropdown lists for areas, owners, control levels, and status |
Key Features Inside the Template
Risk Before and After
Score the risk with existing controls and again with the new ones, and see the reduction.
The Hierarchy of Controls Built In
Record the level of each control and see how much of your risk control depends on weaker controls.
A Dashboard and Reviews
A heat map, the top ten residual risks, and overdue actions and reviews, calculated from the register.
Editable Scales and Bands
Change the scales and band limits on the Settings tab to match your organization's risk criteria.
Best Use Cases
- Building a risk register for a site or department
- Prioritizing hazards and tracking the actions to control them
- Preparing for an ISO 45001 or similar management system audit
- Showing management the effect of safety investments
- Teaching risk assessment
How to Use the Template Effectively
- Agree the scales and band limits on the Settings tab, with examples for your site.
- Walk the area with the people who do the work and list the hazards, the harm, and who is exposed.
- Score severity and likelihood for the risk as it stands today.
- Choose additional controls, starting with elimination and substitution. Record the control level and score the residual risk.
- Assign owners and due dates, then verify the controls once they are in place.
- Set review dates, and review the register after any incident, change, or audit finding.
Who Should Use This Template
- EHS managers and safety coordinators
- Supervisors and area managers
- Safety committee members
- Students and trainees learning risk assessment
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Scoring alone instead of with the people who do the work
- Treating the matrix as a measurement instead of a way to structure judgment
- Relying on administrative controls and PPE for serious hazards
- Setting no owner, due date, or review date
- Never checking that the controls are in place and work
Important Notes
Risk Assessment Register Template Frequently Asked Questions
How is the risk band decided?
Risk is severity times likelihood, from 1 to 25. The band is Low, Medium, High, or Extreme according to the limits on the Settings tab, which you can edit. The defaults are Low up to 4, Medium up to 9, High up to 16, and Extreme above.
What are the control levels?
Elimination, substitution, engineering, administrative, and PPE, from most to least effective. The Dashboard shows the share of your controls at the top three levels, which are more reliable because they depend less on people.
Can I add more risks?
Yes. The Register has 60 formatted rows. Drag the table's resize handle to add more, and copy the formulas in the calculated columns.