Health and Safety Executive

Myth: Risk assessments must always be long and complex

May 2007

Cartoon of man about to crushed by a falling large book entitled 'Risk Assessment'

The reality

On its own, paperwork never saved anyone. It is a means to an end, not an end in itself - action is what protects people. So risk assessments should be fit for purpose and acted upon.

OK, if you’re running an oil refinery you’re going to need a fair amount of paperwork. But for most, bullet points work very well indeed.

See what we mean - check out our example risk assessments.

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Updated 01.09.09