MAKE YOUR FREE Return to work risk assessment

A return to work risk assessment is a form that demonstrates compliance with the legal obligation to ensure the health and safety of staff members, especially the threats posed by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

Use this return to work risk assessment template to structure and record a risk assessment for staff returning to work in light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Employers are responsible for the health and safety of their employees and must assess and manage the risks that staff will face when returning to work, especially in relation to Coronavirus (COVID-19). This document demonstrates compliance with the legal obligation to ensure the health and safety of staff members when working.

Use this return to work risk assessment:

• when employees are due to return to a place of work after an interruption due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)

• to identify the control measures that should be put in place to protect employees and others from the risk of Coronavirus (COVID-19) infection

• where the place of work is an office

• if the property is in England or Wales

Use our prepare to reopen checklist to make sure you’re following all the right steps when reopening your business. 

This return to work risk assessment covers:

• what the risk is

• who is at risk

• what steps have already been taken to minimise the risk

• what additional steps will be taken to minimise the risk

• who will implement these changes and by when

Employers are under a legal obligation to ensure the health and safety of their staff. Employers need to assess any risks created or posed in the course of their business. From 1 April 2022 employers are no longer legally required to consider Coronavirus (COVID-19) whilst conducting risk assessments, however, a comprehensive assessment of workplace risks will likely still include COVID-19 related considerations going forward. Measures for avoiding or mitigating any risks should be identified and implemented in accordance with health and safety laws. The main purpose of this return to work risk assessment is to reduce the risk of harm and to ensure the safety of everyone who uses the premises or is in the immediate vicinity.

Any businesses which employ five or more workers must record the main points of their return to work risk assessment.

For more information, read Employee health and safety in the workplace during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

Workplace risk assessments are a legal requirement for employers and self-employed individuals. Every employer and self-employed person is required to make an assessment of the health and safety risks arising out of their work. If an employer fails to comply with health and safety requirements, there can be serious consequences - both for organisations and individuals. Sanctions include fines, disqualification and imprisonment.

To conduct a return to work risk assessment you must think about how Coronavirus (COVID-19) might cause harm to people, decide whether you are taking reasonable steps to prevent harm, and consider which additional steps you could take to further prevent harm. This process is known as risk assessment and is normally implemented based on each individual's circumstances and should be made visible to all of your employees.

Once you have followed the step-by-step interview, you will be provided with a list of additional steps you may take to ensure the safety of your workforce. Read through the additional steps and tick any that are appropriate for your business which you wish to implement. You can then assign a person to action the ticked steps in order to implement them in the ‘Action & assignee’ column. Once a suggested step has been fully implemented, you should record a completion date in the ‘Date completed’ column.

Industry-specific guidance on working safely during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is available on the Government website. Please note that this guidance differs throughout the UK.

Ask a lawyer if you:

• do not work in an office (eg if you run a construction business)

• are unsure how to conduct a return to work risk assessment

• are unsure about your obligations regarding health and safety in the workplace

• are based in Scotland

This return to work risk assessment is governed by the law of England and Wales.