CalmComplianceRisk Assessment template
School Work Equipment Suitability and Control Risk Assessment
- Version
- v1
- Updated
- 1 October 2026
- Audience
- School employers, dutyholders, leaders, managers, supervisors and others responsible for work equipment used by school employees or provided, operated or controlled by the school.
- Jurisdiction
- england
Activity assessed
Assessment and control of risks arising from work equipment used by school employees, or equipment that the school provides, operates or controls, including equipment owned or supplied by another party. The assessment should be specific to the equipment, users, workplace, intended use, installation conditions and actual controls.
Assess each hazard and its controls against your site before use. Template ratings require local review.
Hazards and controls
Equipment is not suitable for the intended task, materials, load, environment, users or foreseeable conditions of use.
- Existing controls
- To be assessed locally.
- Proposed controls
- Identify the specific equipment, task, intended use, users, workplace and operating conditions. Confirm and record why the equipment is suitable for the intended use. Where suitability cannot be confirmed, prevent use until the equipment, task or control arrangements have been reviewed.
Local assessment and additional controls
Work equipment is used outside its intended purpose, safe limits or operating instructions.
- Existing controls
- To be assessed locally.
- Proposed controls
- Record the intended use and any relevant limitations, safe operating limits and restrictions. Confirm that users understand the permitted use and that foreseeable misuse is considered. Keep manufacturer or supplier information available where relevant, without assuming that it is available or followed.
Local assessment and additional controls
Users do not have the information, instruction, training, competence or supervision needed to use the equipment safely.
- Existing controls
- To be assessed locally.
- Proposed controls
- Identify the user groups, including employees and any other persons who may use or be exposed to the equipment. Specify the information, instruction, training, competence and supervision needed for the particular equipment and task. Record how these arrangements will be checked and reviewed, without assuming that training or supervision is already in place.
Local assessment and additional controls
Equipment is installed, positioned, connected or used in workplace conditions that make it unsafe.
- Existing controls
- To be assessed locally.
- Proposed controls
- Assess the installation, location, access, surrounding space, surfaces, interfaces with other equipment and relevant workplace conditions. Confirm that the equipment can be operated, adjusted, cleaned, maintained and isolated safely in the actual location. Record any conditions or restrictions that must be met before use.
Local assessment and additional controls
Equipment deteriorates or becomes unsafe because maintenance is absent, unsuitable, overdue or not matched to the equipment and its use.
- Existing controls
- To be assessed locally.
- Proposed controls
- Define the maintenance arrangements needed to keep the equipment safe to use. Identify the responsible person or organisation, maintenance information, frequency or trigger for maintenance, records required and arrangements for defects found during maintenance. For lifting equipment and other work equipment, include maintenance appropriate to the equipment and its use.
Local assessment and additional controls
Equipment requiring inspection is used without an appropriate inspection arrangement, or inspection needs are not identified.
- Existing controls
- To be assessed locally.
- Proposed controls
- Determine whether inspection is needed for the specific equipment, considering its type, use, installation, deterioration and circumstances that could lead to a dangerous situation. Record the inspection scope, competent person or organisation where applicable, frequency or trigger, records and actions arising. Equipment outside LOLER may still require maintenance and may in some cases be subject to inspection under PUWER.
Local assessment and additional controls
Lifting equipment or lifting operations exceed equipment limits or are not adequately planned and controlled.
- Existing controls
- To be assessed locally.
- Proposed controls
- Where lifting equipment is used, identify the load, weight, centre of gravity, attachment method, safe limits and person in control of the lift. Confirm that the equipment has been appropriately designed, manufactured and tested, and that maintenance arrangements are defined. Consider whether the lift requires rehearsal or additional planning. Keep this control conditional where lifting equipment is not used.
Local assessment and additional controls
Equipment supplied, owned or maintained by another party is used without clear allocation of responsibilities or confirmation of relevant controls.
- Existing controls
- To be assessed locally.
- Proposed controls
- Identify whether the school owns, operates or controls the equipment and whether another party supplies, owns, installs, maintains or inspects it. Clarify the responsibilities of each relevant party and retain evidence of how applicable work-equipment duties are managed. Do not treat third-party ownership as removing the school's responsibilities where its employees use the equipment.
Local assessment and additional controls
Defects, damage, unsafe deterioration or failed controls are not identified, reported, isolated or corrected before equipment is used.
- Existing controls
- To be assessed locally.
- Proposed controls
- Define how users identify and report defects, who assesses reports, when equipment is withdrawn from use, how it is isolated or clearly identified, and who authorises return to service. Record repair, replacement, inspection or other corrective actions and their status. Do not rely on equipment that has a defect or whose safety cannot be confirmed.
Local assessment and additional controls
The equipment register or responsibility record does not identify equipment for which the school has use, operation or control responsibilities.
- Existing controls
- To be assessed locally.
- Proposed controls
- Create or update an equipment register for equipment within the assessment scope. Record the equipment identifier, location, owner or supplier where relevant, responsible school role or organisation, intended use, users, maintenance arrangements, inspection needs, defect arrangements and review requirements. Include equipment used by school employees even where it is not owned by the school.
Local assessment and additional controls
Changes to equipment, users, tasks, location, installation or condition make the assessment or controls unsuitable.
- Existing controls
- To be assessed locally.
- Proposed controls
- Define review triggers, including changes to equipment, intended use, users, workplace, installation, supplier or ownership, and significant deterioration, defect, incident or inspection finding. Reassess the specific equipment and update controls when a trigger occurs. Record the review outcome and any resulting actions.
Local assessment and additional controls