How many employees must a company have before risk assessments need to be documented?

The requirement to document risk assessments comes into effect when a company has five or more employees. This regulation is in place to ensure that there is a systematic approach to identifying and managing workplace hazards, thereby promoting safety and wellbeing among all employees.

When organizations are small (specifically with fewer than five employees), they are still required to conduct risk assessments; however, they are not legally obliged to document them. The rationale behind this distinction is that smaller businesses may have less complex operations and a more informal management structure, which makes it easier for them to communicate risks and safety measures verbally.

In contrast, once a company grows to five employees or more, it becomes crucial to have documented risk assessments to establish clear procedures, facilitate communication, and ensure accountability. Documentation serves as a reference point for safety protocols and can also be essential for compliance with health and safety legislation during inspections or audits.