CalmComplianceRisk Assessment template
School-Wide Health and Safety Risk Assessment
- Version
- v1
- Updated
- 1 October 2026
- Audience
- Employers, governing bodies, academy trusts, headteachers, school leaders, premises managers, health and safety advisers and other people responsible for school-wide risk management in maintained and academy primary and secondary schools.
- Jurisdiction
- england
Activity assessed
Assessment and management of applicable school-wide risks, including fire, legionella, asbestos, manual handling, violence and other relevant risks across school premises, activities and workforce.
Assess each hazard and its controls against your site before use. Template ratings require local review.
Hazards and controls
Fire, smoke, fire spread, delayed evacuation or inadequate emergency arrangements, where relevant to the school's premises, occupancy, activities and equipment.
- Existing controls
- Record the fire-safety arrangements currently in place, including responsible persons, fire-risk assessment, detection and alarm systems, emergency lighting, means of escape, fire doors, extinguishers, evacuation arrangements, staff information and arrangements for people who may need assistance. Record only controls that are currently in place and supported by available evidence.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, review and maintain a suitable fire-risk assessment and emergency plan; define responsibilities; inspect, test and maintain fire precautions; keep escape routes and exits available; provide relevant information, instruction and training; consider pupils, staff, visitors and contractors who may need assistance; and record actions, owners, target dates and completion evidence.
Local assessment and additional controls
Exposure to legionella bacteria from water systems, where the school has water systems or activities capable of creating relevant exposure.
- Existing controls
- Record the water-system risk assessment, responsible person, system information, monitoring, inspection, maintenance, temperature controls, flushing arrangements, remedial actions and records currently in place. Identify any areas or systems not covered by the available information.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, maintain a competent water-hygiene management process; keep an up-to-date description of water systems; identify susceptible people and higher-risk areas; implement suitable monitoring, inspection, cleaning, disinfection and maintenance; manage periods of low use or closure; and retain records and action tracking.
Local assessment and additional controls
Exposure to asbestos fibres from asbestos-containing materials that are present, damaged, disturbed or inadequately managed, where relevant to the premises.
- Existing controls
- Record the asbestos management arrangements currently in place, including the asbestos register and management plan, surveys or other available information, responsible person, condition monitoring, access controls, contractor information and arrangements for planned or unplanned work.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, maintain and communicate an up-to-date asbestos register and management plan; prevent unauthorised disturbance; inspect condition as required; provide information to relevant staff and contractors before work; use suitable competent specialists for surveys, repair, removal or other work; and record incidents, decisions and remedial actions.
Local assessment and additional controls
Musculoskeletal injury from lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, moving or supporting people, equipment, furniture, deliveries or waste, where such tasks are undertaken.
- Existing controls
- Record the manual-handling arrangements currently in place, including task assessments, equipment, storage and delivery arrangements, information, training, supervision, staffing and arrangements for moving or supporting people.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, avoid hazardous manual handling where reasonably practicable; assess remaining tasks; use suitable mechanical aids and team-handling arrangements; plan deliveries, storage and waste movement; provide instruction and training; consider individual needs and changing circumstances; and review arrangements after incidents, changes or concerns.
Local assessment and additional controls
Violence, aggression, abuse, threats or other harmful behaviour affecting staff, pupils, visitors or contractors, where relevant to the school's activities or setting.
- Existing controls
- Record the arrangements currently in place for preventing and responding to violence and aggression, including reporting, escalation, supervision, lone working, visitor management, communication, training, support after incidents and coordination with relevant services.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, identify foreseeable sources of violence and aggression; establish proportionate prevention and response arrangements; define escalation and emergency contacts; manage lone working and access; provide relevant information, instruction and training; report and review incidents; and provide appropriate post-incident support.
Local assessment and additional controls
Slips, trips and falls arising from floors, surfaces, stairs, walkways, changes in level, obstructions, spillages, weather or inadequate lighting.
- Existing controls
- Record current arrangements for inspection, housekeeping, spill response, defect reporting, lighting, stairways, pedestrian routes, external areas, weather conditions and temporary restrictions.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, inspect and maintain internal and external routes; remove or control obstructions and spillages promptly; manage defects and changes in level; provide suitable lighting and signage; plan for adverse weather; and track corrective actions to completion.
Local assessment and additional controls
Injury from work equipment, machinery, tools, vehicles or other equipment used, maintained or accessed by staff, pupils, visitors or contractors, where relevant.
- Existing controls
- Record equipment currently in use and arrangements for selection, installation, guarding, inspection, maintenance, isolation, operator competence, supervision, access control and defect reporting.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, identify relevant equipment and users; select suitable equipment; maintain guards and protective devices; provide competent use, supervision and information; inspect and maintain equipment as required; control access; isolate defective equipment; and review arrangements following changes or incidents.
Local assessment and additional controls
Exposure to hazardous substances, including cleaning products, chemicals, biological agents, dusts, fumes or other substances, where present or used.
- Existing controls
- Record substances currently present or used, available assessments and safety information, storage, labelling, access controls, ventilation, personal protective equipment, spill response, disposal and training arrangements.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, identify hazardous substances and activities; assess exposure and substitute or eliminate where reasonably practicable; control storage and access; provide suitable ventilation and protective measures; maintain safety information; plan spill and exposure response; provide information and training; and review controls when substances or processes change.
Local assessment and additional controls
Electric shock, burns or fire from electrical installations, fixed equipment, portable equipment, temporary supplies, damaged cables or unsuitable use.
- Existing controls
- Record current arrangements for electrical installation information, inspection, testing, maintenance, user checks, defect reporting, isolation, portable equipment, charging and use of temporary supplies.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, maintain suitable inspection, testing and maintenance arrangements; prevent use of damaged equipment; control unauthorised alterations and temporary supplies; manage charging and cable routes; ensure competent persons undertake relevant work; and record defects, isolation and remedial actions.
Local assessment and additional controls
Falls from height or falling objects during access, cleaning, maintenance, storage, displays or other work, where such activities occur.
- Existing controls
- Record work-at-height activities and current arrangements for avoiding work at height, access equipment, inspection, selection, user competence, supervision, exclusion zones and contractor control.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, avoid work at height where reasonably practicable; plan and assess remaining tasks; use suitable inspected equipment; prevent falls and falling objects; control areas below; ensure competent persons undertake the work; and review arrangements after changes, defects or incidents.
Local assessment and additional controls
Injury or exposure arising from construction, maintenance, refurbishment, deliveries or contractor activities, including interaction with pupils, staff, visitors and school operations.
- Existing controls
- Record current arrangements for contractor selection, competence, induction, site access, segregation, permits or authorisations, communication, supervision, emergency arrangements, handover and coordination with school activities.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, define responsibilities and interfaces; assess foreseeable contractor risks; control access and segregation; communicate site rules and relevant hazards; coordinate activities and emergency arrangements; monitor work; manage changes; and retain suitable handover and completion information.
Local assessment and additional controls
Failure to respond effectively to emergencies or disruption, including serious incidents, utility failure, contamination, severe weather or loss of access, where relevant.
- Existing controls
- Record current emergency, communication, first-aid, evacuation, shelter, lockdown, business-continuity, contact, recovery and incident-reporting arrangements relevant to the school's activities and premises.
- Proposed controls
- Where applicable, identify credible emergency scenarios; define roles, decision-making and communication routes; maintain suitable emergency information and equipment; coordinate with relevant responders and responsible organisations; consider vulnerable people and alternative arrangements; exercise or review plans where appropriate; and record lessons and actions.
Local assessment and additional controls