Risk Assessments should be reviewed regularly and updated whenever there are significant changes that could affect health and safety on site.
Under the Health and Safety Executive Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, employers and those responsible for work activities are required to assess risks and review assessments where they may no longer be valid or where there has been a significant change.
A Risk Assessment may need reviewing if:
- Work activities change
- New equipment or machinery is introduced
- Site conditions change
- New hazards are identified
- An accident, incident or near miss occurs
- Work processes are altered
- New personnel or subcontractors are involved
- Existing control measures are no longer suitable
Construction projects can change frequently, so Risk Assessments should be monitored throughout the project to help ensure control measures remain relevant and appropriate.
Higher-risk activities may require more frequent reviews, particularly where site conditions or work environments change regularly.
Reviewing Risk Assessments helps businesses keep documentation up to date and supports ongoing construction health and safety management.