Risk Assessment Form Template

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Wood Chipper Risk Assessment

Use our risk assessment generator to create customised workplace safety documents. Learn more about Wood Chipper Risk Assessment Template below
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Generate Risk Assessments in 4 Easy Steps: Complete the assessment details below, then add risks from our pre-populated library or create custom ones. Add your logo and signatures, save your document, then share it with staff and workers to collect electronic signatures—ensuring everyone has read and understood the risk assessment. Export to PDF anytime!

Assessment Details

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Risk Assessments

How to add risks: Use Add from Library for pre-written templates, or Add Custom to write your own.

Choose what goes in the document: Each risk you add is off by default — tick the box on the ones you want included. You can have up to 3 ticked at once on your plan, or click Select up to my limit to fill all slots in one click.

Edit a risk: Click anywhere on the row to expand it and edit the details — ticked or unticked, both can be edited.

Step 1 must be completed before you can manage and edit the risks. Fill in the assessment details on Step 1 and click Next Step to unlock.

No risks added yet. Add risks from the library or create custom risks.

Risk Assessment Matrix

Risk Assessment Matrix

Likelihood

  • 5 = Certain
  • 4 = Likely
  • 3 = Possible
  • 2 = Unlikely
  • 1 = Remote

Severity

  • 5 = Fatality
  • 4 = Major Injury
  • 3 = Lost Time Injury
  • 2 = Minor injury
  • 1 = Trivial Injury

Risk Rating [L x S]

1-5 = Low
6-12 = Medium
13-25 = High

Logo & Signatures

Custom Branding Not Available

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Click to sign on behalf or leave blank for external approval

Review & Export

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Preview Document

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Share Documents & Collect Employee Sign-Offs

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Risk Assessment Description:

This free wood chipper risk assessment template is designed for landscaping, grounds‑maintenance and outdoor‑services teams who need a quick, compliant way to assess the hazards of operating a wood chipper and shredder. Whether you’re clearing garden waste, processing branches for mulch, or preparing material for biomass, this wood chipper risk assessment example provides pre‑filled hazards and control measures you can customise.

The template covers all key risks for wood chipper operation, including blade contact, infeed chute entrapment, flying debris, noise, vibration, dust, machine stability, electrical faults, fuel spillage, manual handling, overhead power lines, slip/trip hazards, heat stress, lone working and engine exhaust hazards. It includes relevant long‑tail keywords such as free wood chipper risk assessment template, wood chipper hazards and control measures, landscaping wood chipper safety assessment and wood chipper risk assessment download.

Use this template for:

  • Site risk planning – quickly identify chipper‑related hazards before work starts.
  • Operator briefings – provide clear, actionable control measures to the crew.
  • Compliance documentation – demonstrate adherence to PUWER 1998, LOLER 1998 and COSHH regulations.

Each hazard includes suggested control measures covering safe feeding, guarding, PPE, equipment inspection, dust suppression and emergency procedures. The risk matrix uses a standard 5×5 likelihood‑severity scoring, with controlled severity always matching the initial severity as required by HSE guidance.

Fully editable and shareable – customise hazards, add site‑specific risks, adjust control measures to match your conditions, then download as a PDF for records or share with your team.

Compliant with: Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER), Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER), Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH), and Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

Sample PDF Document Image:

Risks covered in this Wood Chipper and Shredder Operation risk assessment

This Wood Chipper and Shredder Operation risk assessment template covers 16 assessed hazards, each scored before and after control measures on a 5×5 HSE risk matrix.

HazardInitial riskControlled risk
Contact with rotating blades (entanglement)2010
Machine overturn or instability1510
Infeed chute entrapment128
Flying debris and chip ejection126
Dust inhalation (wood dust)128
Manual handling of feed material126
Heat stress during summer operation128
Electrical fault or cable damage105
Fuel spillage and fire risk105
Working near overhead power lines105
Noise exposure96
Hand‑arm vibration syndrome96
Slip, trip and fall on wet or chip‑covered ground96
Lone working without immediate assistance84
Engine exhaust and carbon monoxide exposure84
Loose clothing or accessories entanglement63

Frequently asked questions

Are these risk assessment templates really free to download?

Yes — completely free. Over 1300 free UK risk assessment templates, free to use forever, no signup required for guests, no paywall. Customise to your workplace and download as a professional HSE-compliant PDF in minutes.

Can I download risk assessment templates in PDF or Word format?

Risk assessments download as a professional, HSE-compliant PDF — ready to print and file as-is. Word (.docx) export is not available for risk assessments, but you can fully customise every hazard, control measure, persons-at-risk entry and rating online before you download.

Are the risk assessment templates HSE-compliant?

Yes. Every template aligns with HSE guidance and the HSE 5-Step Risk Assessment process. They cover the requirements of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, COSHH 2002, Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992, Work at Height Regulations 2005, and other relevant UK regulations.

What industries do the risk assessment templates cover?

Over 1300 templates across every UK industry — painting, electrical, HVAC, plumbing, carpentry, concrete, solar panel installation, asbestos, scaffolding, working at height, manual handling, fall protection, hot works, confined space entry, lifting operations, kitchen fitting, plumbing, drywall, tiling, plastering, and many more.

What's the difference between a risk assessment form and a risk assessment template?

A risk assessment form is the blank document; a risk assessment template is a pre-filled form ready to customise. Our generator gives you both — a free interactive form you fill in plus over 1300 pre-written templates you can customise to your specific workplace.

Do I need to create an account to use the risk assessment templates?

No — guests can generate and download risk assessments for free without signing up. Register a free account if you want to save documents to your dashboard, edit them later, or share them for digital signatures.

Can I customise the risk assessment templates to my workplace?

Yes — fully. Edit hazards, control measures, persons at risk, likelihood and severity ratings, PPE requirements, and review schedules. Each template is a starting point you tailor to your specific operation.

How many risks can I add to a single risk assessment?

The number of risks (hazards) you can include in one assessment depends on your plan: guests get up to 3 risks, Free accounts up to 5 risks, Standard up to 15 risks, Pro unlimited risks, and Enterprise unlimited risks per assessment. You can add and preview every risk in a template, then tick the ones to include up to your plan limit — upgrade any time for more. See our pricing page for the full plan comparison.

Are these risk assessment templates valid for UK construction work?

Yes. Our construction-specific risk assessment templates align with HSE construction guidance, the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM 2015), and the Work at Height Regulations 2005. Templates cover scaffolding, working at height, concrete pouring, excavation, roofing, electrical installation, and more.

How often should I update my risk assessment?

Whenever there is reason to believe the assessment is no longer valid — after workplace changes, near-misses, accidents, new equipment, new substances, or new processes. HSE guidance recommends an annual formal review at minimum.

What is the HSE 5-step risk assessment process?

Step 1: Identify the hazards. Step 2: Decide who might be harmed and how. Step 3: Evaluate the risks and decide on precautions. Step 4: Record findings and implement them. Step 5: Review the assessment and update if necessary. Our interactive generator walks you through all 5 steps.

Can I use these risk assessment templates for self-employed work?

Yes. Self-employed workers are required to assess risks to themselves and anyone affected by their work. Our templates are suitable for sole traders, contractors, and small businesses.

Do you have RIDDOR-aligned risk assessment templates?

Yes. Several templates cover RIDDOR (Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013) requirements — including accident reporting and investigation risk assessments. All RA templates support incident logging and review.