when must a risk assessment be reviewed ?

There’s no single mandated timeframe for reviewing risk assessments. However, there are generally two categories of triggers for a review:

• Scheduled Reviews: It’s recommended to have a regular review schedule, typically annually, to ensure the assessment stays up-to-date. This helps prevent gaps in coverage and ensures ongoing awareness of potential hazards.

• Triggered Reviews: These occur when specific events necessitate a review of the risk assessment. Examples include:

  • Any significant changes to the workplace, its processes, or design.
  • Introduction of new machinery, substances, or procedures.
  • An incident or injury arising from a hazard exposure.

In essence, risk assessments are living documents that should be reviewed whenever circumstances change or there’s reason to believe the existing assessment might be inadequate.