The Five Steps to Risk Assessment: HSE Guidance for Property Professionals

The HSE’s five-step approach provides a straightforward framework for risk assessment. Step 1: Identify hazards. Step 2: Decide who might be harmed. Step 3: Evaluate risks and decide on precautions. Step 4: Record findings and implement them. Step 5: Review and update.

For property managers, hazards include physical (trips, falls), chemical (cleaning products, asbestos), biological (legionella, mould), and environmental (noise, temperature) risks.

Consider all people at risk: residents, visitors, staff, contractors, and vulnerable groups including children, elderly residents, and disabled people.

Risk assessments should be reviewed regularly and whenever significant changes occur to premises, activities, or people at risk.

Custodia provides structured risk assessment templates based on the HSE approach, with guided workflows and action tracking.