On the surface, risk assessments may appear less critical for office-based organisations than for industries such as construction and manufacturing. However, even seemingly safe workplaces can pose risks that lead to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), as well as trips, falls, and slips.
In fact, Great Britain alone saw 124 workers killed in work-related accidents in 2024/25 (RIDDOR). In the latest figures, 604,000 workers sustained non-fatal injuries in the workplace (according to self-reports from the 2023/24 Labour Force Survey).
This data shows only one thing: risk assessments are more important than ever. It is worth noting that fatalities are very rare in office settings, but still, in 2023/24, an estimated 55,000 workers reported sustaining a non-fatal injury in the workplace.
This blog will guide you through five realistic risk assessment examples, targeting everyday ‘risks’ and ‘hazards’ (note that these are distinct concepts) found in offices.
TL;DR – Risk Assessment Examples For Office
Searching for risk assessment examples for the office to start your health and safety journey?
Here are a few points we’ve covered in this blog:
- Managing musculoskeletal disorders
- Reducing digital screen equipment hazards
- Balancing work-induced psychological stress
- Improving fire safety at the workplace
- Preventing slips, trips, and falls in the office
What is an office risk assessment?
An office risk assessment, identical to any other risk assessment, is an organised and systematic way to identify potential hazards and assess the likelihood and severity of employee injury.
It encourages employers to take necessary steps to protect their employees’ health, safety, and welfare.
Benefits of a workplace risk assessment
The list of reasons why employers must prioritise conducting an IOSH workplace risk assessment is endless – but here are a few key benefits:
Improved Safety in the Workplace
According to studies, nearly 6.8 million UK workers feel unsafe in their workplace. How can employers improve this? The answer is simple: risk assessments.
Identifying poor workstation ergonomics, manual handling hazards, and other risky scenarios with a risk assessment can help manage, control, and prevent risks or accidents in the office.
Ultimately, the subtle nuances have a lasting impact.
Employee Morale and Engagement
According to reports, employers with well-engaged staff are 21% more profitable. Moreover, 53% of staff prefer to stay longer in organisations where they feel valued.
That said, employee safety must be a top priority for organisations. Workers who feel safe, protected, and valued in their workplace experience direct growth in morale, engagement, and productivity.
When employers conduct regular risk assessments, they demonstrate their commitment to employee well-being and safety.
Lesser Cost, Improved Reputation
According to the Health & Safety Executive, workplace injuries and ill-health cost UK-based organisations around £20.7 billion in 2022.
Not to be forgotten, British employers lost an average of 49.7 days per employee due to workplace sickness. The rising absenteeism and decreasing productivity led to a loss of £138.3 billion in 2023.
Regular risk assessments help mitigate these financial burdens, enabling employers to reduce costs in the long run. Besides, organisations committed to worker safety generally tend to garner a positive reputation and attract more top talent.
Enhanced Regulatory Compliance
Lastly, employers can ensure compliance with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 by following this risk assessment.
It provides a legally valid and auditable framework for employers to train their managers and employees on controlling office-setting hazards and ensuring compliance with health and safety laws.
5 Risk assessment examples for the office
In office-based settings, employers must focus on risk assessment for:
1. Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSD)
MSD isn’t uncommon in the United Kingdom, as one-third of the population (over 20 million residents) lives with this condition.
As previously discussed, musculoskeletal conditions were a growing concern for UK employers.
Many factors trigger this health condition, including:
- Desktop/laptop screen height,
- Keyword placement,
- Chair position or adjustability, etc.
- Uncomfortable sitting postures, etc.
If not treated promptly, these factors can affect the spinal cord, limbs, and joints, leading to arthritis and further deteriorating an individual’s quality of life.
2. Display screen equipment (DSE) hazards
Contrary to outdoor-based settings, office environments require employees to sit and stare at display screen equipment (such as laptops, computers, tablets, and smartphones) for long hours.
However, prolonged use of DSE at a fixed workstation can cause eye strain, fatigue, temporary near-sightedness, headaches, and other issues.
As per HSE law’s Working Safely with Display Screen Equipment guidelines, employers are now obligated to plan work in a way that allows occasional breaks for DSE users. They must also assess DSE workspaces thoroughly and take preventive measures to protect their employees’ eyesight.
3. Work-induced psychological stress
Here’s another risk assessment example that not many speak about – mental stress caused by work.
Roughly 875,000 workers in Great Britain reported stress, depression, or anxiety at work in 2022–2023.
Heavy workloads, tight deadlines, and a lack of support can all contribute to work-related stress, resulting in increased absenteeism and employee turnover. Reports further show that 51% of all long-term sick leaves in 2022 were due to stress, anxiety, or depression.
A risk assessment thoroughly analyses these psychological triggers and recommends control measures such as workload management strategies, open lines of communication, and healthy work-life balance.
4. Fire safety at the workplace
According to the UK government, 2023 saw a 6.2% increase in fire incidents compared to the previous year.
On that note, untidy and congested workplaces are highly prone to fire accidents. For example, overloaded garbage cans and poorly ventilated places can help flames spread. Not cleaning machinery and allowing dust to accumulate also leads to overheating issues and the risk of starting a fire.
A risk assessment identifies all potential fire hazards in the office, including malfunctioning electrical equipment, combustible materials, and blocked emergency exits, among other hazards.
It also establishes preventive measures, such as staff training on fire safety, routine maintenance of electrical equipment, and ensuring that fire escapes are easily accessible.
5. Slips, trips, and falls in the office
Tripping over something might not sound like a concerning risk. However, over 179,520 British workers reported injuries caused by slips, trips, and falls in the workplace in 2023.
It’s not unusual for employees to slip, stumble, and fall in the office due to uneven floors, trailing electrical wires, or congested walkways.
A risk assessment can analyse these common yet unforeseen hazards and recommend installing controls, regular floor cleaning, proper cable management, and clear walkways.
Best practices to implement the examples in the workplace
It’s the responsibility of every employer to ensure their workers are safe and healthy at work.
On that note, following these IOSH risk assessment best practices can significantly minimise accidents and injuries in the office:
- Create a risk management committee: Form a committee comprising supervisors, health and safety representatives, and employee representatives to oversee the risk assessment process, ensure its ongoing effectiveness, and foster a safety culture.
- Educate your staff: Provide all staff with proper training on risk assessment methods, roles and duties, and reporting hazards and near misses to actively involve them in the safety process.
- Conduct routine risk assessments: Plan for yearly (or more) frequent risk evaluations (if there are significant changes)
- Create a plan of action: After each risk assessment, develop detailed action plans that outline the specific control measures required, their objectives, and the corresponding completion timelines.
Remember that risk assessments are ultimately a matter of applying specific knowledge and expertise. Learn how to do this with TSW Training’s IOSH Managing Safely course.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Before we leave, here are some frequently asked questions about risk assessment examples for the office:
What steps are included in a risk assessment for office settings?
An IOSH risk assessment is generally conducted through a 5-step process, which is as follows:
- Risk identification: Thoroughly analysing the workplace to pinpoint any potential risk/s, including MSD triggers, electrical hazards, slipping/falling risks, etc.
- Risk assessment: Measuring the likelihood of an incident occurring at work, alongside the severity of damage, using a dedicated risk assessment matrix.
- Risk control: Implementing the proper preventive measures to eliminate or reduce the risks to protect workers’ health and well-being.
- Record findings: The assessors must document the entire process, from risk identification to control measures, for future review.
- Monitoring and review: Once the risks are controlled, the measures should be reviewed promptly to check whether they’re still effective and optimised if needed.
What are the best practices for documenting office risk assessments?
Although there is no one standard format required for documenting risk assessments, here are some best practices to follow:
- Using clear and concise terminology that all employees can understand.
- Providing sufficient details to identify the hazard, estimate the risk, and describe all applied measures.
- Including the date of evaluation and the accountable party’s signature.
- Making the risk assessment document readily available to all employees.
How often should risk assessments be conducted in office workspaces?
The HSE recommends reviewing risk assessments at least annually. More regular evaluations may be required if the workplace architecture, equipment, or operational processes undergo significant changes.
A routine check is necessary if new risks are found or accidents/mishaps occur in the office. Lastly, employers should review their risk assessments once the legislation and best practices for office safety are revised.
Conclusion
Here’s a key takeaway: a proper risk assessment should encompass all areas, including electrical safety, trip hazards, fire threats, and repetitive strain injuries.
The risk assessment examples listed in this blog can serve as a starting point for your journey toward enhancing worker health and safety. So, are you ready to begin?
TSW Training offers a comprehensive 3-day IOSH Managing Safely course, covering health and safety laws and risk control fundamentals.
Our accredited course will teach you how to identify and evaluate risks and implement efficient precautions, resulting in a safer and healthier workplace for everyone.
