Point of Work Risk Assessments: Why They Matter and How to Do Them Right

Risk assessments are a legal requirement under UK health and safety law—but paperwork alone doesn’t keep people safe. Hazards can change rapidly on site or in the field, and what was assessed last week may not reflect today’s conditions.

That’s where Point of Work Risk Assessments (POWRAs) come in.

Whether you’re on a construction site, factory floor, or client premises, a POWRA is a simple yet vital tool to keep workers safe in real time. This blog explores what they are, why they matter, and how to carry them out effectively.

What Is a Point of Work Risk Assessment?

A Point of Work Risk Assessment (POWRA) is a last-minute, on-the-spot risk check carried out immediately before a task begins, especially in dynamic or changing environments.

Unlike formal risk assessments—which are often completed during planning—a POWRA focuses on:

• The current conditions
• The actual environment
• The specific task being carried out
• Unforeseen or new hazards that may have emerged

️ It’s a practical way to stop and think: “Is it still safe to do this job, right now, in this place, under these conditions?”

⚖️ Is It a Legal Requirement?

While POWRAs are not explicitly required by law, they support compliance with:

• Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
• Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
• Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM)

These laws require employers to manage risks and provide safe systems of work—POWRAs help meet those duties in practice.

✅ When Should You Do a POWRA?

You should carry out a POWRA:

• At the start of each new task or shift
• When arriving at a new site or location
• If conditions change (e.g. weather, lighting, congestion)
• After an incident, near miss, or equipment failure
• If new workers, tools, or materials are introduced

It should become a habit—not a one-off.

What Should a POWRA Cover?

A good POWRA answers five key questions:

1. What am I about to do?

Identify the task and objective clearly.

2. What could go wrong?

Consider physical hazards (falls, cuts, electricity), environmental risks, or health factors (manual handling, fatigue).

3. Who could be harmed and how?

Think about yourself, your team, the public, or nearby workers.

4. What controls are needed or already in place?

PPE, barriers, permits, signage, method statements, etc.

5. Is it safe to proceed?

If not—stop, report, and rethink.

How to Conduct a POWRA (Simple Steps)

1. Pause before the task – Take 2–5 minutes to assess the situation.

2. Engage the team – Discuss the task with all involved workers.

3. Use a checklist or simple form – Many companies provide a POWRA template or app.

4. Identify new or overlooked hazards – Think critically, don’t just tick boxes.

5. Record it (if required) – Particularly for high-risk activities or in regulated sectors.

6. Act on findings – Stop work if hazards can’t be controlled.

Remember: Safety is dynamic. If anything changes, repeat the POWRA.

Tools and Formats

POWRAs can be:

• Paper-based checklists
• App-based digital forms (used on phones or tablets)
• Verbal conversations backed by a signed record
• Built into daily briefings or toolbox talks

Choose a format that’s accessible, fast, and encourages honest input.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Treating it as a tick-box exercise
• Rushing through without understanding the hazards
• Failing to act on identified risks
• Not involving workers in the process
• Thinking yesterday’s check still applies today

POWRAs are only useful if they are done properly and taken seriously.

Embedding POWRAs in Workplace Culture

• Encourage the use of POWRAs by:
• Including them in inductions and toolbox talks
• Empowering workers to stop unsafe work without fear
• Making supervisors accountable for reinforcing them
• Rewarding good safety behaviour and hazard reporting
• Keeping the process short, relevant, and useful—not bureaucratic

Final Thoughts

A Point of Work Risk Assessment is one of the simplest yet most effective safety tools you can use. It puts the responsibility for risk management right where it belongs—on the front line, in real time.

Because the most well-written risk assessment in the office means nothing if it’s out of date the moment someone steps on site.

Make POWRAs part of your safety culture, and you’ll not only reduce accidents—you’ll empower your teams to think and act safely, every time.