- March 3, 2026
- Posted by: Sage Shield Safety Consultants
- Category: Safety Highlights
How to Conduct a Workplace Risk Assessment in Singapore: Step-by-Step Guide
What Is a Workplace Risk Assessment?
A workplace risk assessment is a careful examination of what could cause harm to people in your workplace, so you can determine whether you have taken enough precautions or need to do more. In Singapore, conducting risk assessments is not optional — it is a legal obligation under the Workplace Safety and Health (Risk Management) Regulations.
A thorough risk assessment also helps your business avoid workplace safety inspection issues. This guide walks you through the entire process step by step, so you can conduct a thorough and compliant risk assessment — whether you are doing it for the first time or reviewing an existing one.
Before You Start: Preparation Checklist
Good preparation makes the entire risk assessment process smoother and more effective. Before you begin your assessment, ensure you have:
- Appointed a competent person (WSQ Risk Management trained or equivalent)
- Gathered existing safety documentation, past incident reports, and near-miss records
- Obtained Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all chemicals and hazardous substances used
- Reviewed equipment manuals and maintenance records
- Prepared a risk assessment template or register
- Scheduled time to observe actual work activities (not just desk-based reviews)
Step 1: Identify the Hazards
The first step is to identify everything in your workplace that could potentially cause harm. A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause injury or ill health.
Methods to Identify Hazards
- Physical walkthrough of all work areas
- Review past accident and incident reports
- Interview workers about their daily tasks
- Check manufacturer instructions and SDS
- Review industry-specific safety guidelines
Common Hazard Categories
- Physical: Noise, vibration, temperature, machinery
- Chemical: Solvents, gases, dust, fumes
- Biological: Bacteria, viruses, mould
- Ergonomic: Repetitive motion, heavy lifting
- Psychosocial: Stress, fatigue, bullying
Step 2: Determine Who Might Be Harmed and How
For each hazard identified, determine who could be affected. Do not limit this to your own employees — consider everyone who might be at risk:
Direct Workers
Employees who perform the work activity directly. They face the most immediate risk and need specific training and protective measures tailored to their tasks.
Nearby Workers
Employees in adjacent work areas who may be exposed to hazards like noise, fumes, or flying debris from other operations. Consider physical proximity and shared spaces.
Contractors and Visitors
External parties such as delivery drivers, maintenance contractors, clients visiting your premises, and auditors. They may be unfamiliar with your workplace hazards.
Vulnerable Groups
Young workers, pregnant women, workers with disabilities, and new employees. These groups may face higher risks and require additional protective measures or accommodations.
Step 3: Evaluate the Risks and Decide on Controls
Now assess the level of risk for each hazard by considering two factors: likelihood (how probable is it that the hazard will cause harm?) and severity (how serious would the consequences be?).
Risk Rating Matrix
| Likelihood \ Severity | Negligible (1) | Minor (2) | Moderate (3) | Major (4) | Catastrophic (5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Almost Certain (5) | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 |
| Likely (4) | 4 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 |
| Possible (3) | 3 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 15 |
| Unlikely (2) | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Rare (1) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
Hierarchy of Controls
Once you have rated each risk, apply controls following the Hierarchy of Controls — always starting from the most effective:
Elimination
Remove the hazard entirely. For example, replacing a manual lifting task with automated machinery. This is the most effective control.
Substitution
Replace the hazard with something less dangerous. For example, using a water-based paint instead of a solvent-based one.
Engineering Controls
Isolate people from the hazard. Examples include machine guards, ventilation systems, noise barriers, and safety interlocks.
Administrative Controls
Change the way people work. This includes training, job rotation, safe work procedures, signage, and scheduling high-risk work when fewer people are present.
PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
The last resort. Provide appropriate PPE such as helmets, gloves, safety glasses, and respirators. PPE should supplement other controls, not replace them.
Step 4: Record and Implement Your Findings
Documentation is critical — both for legal compliance and for ensuring controls are actually implemented. Your risk assessment record must include:
What to Record
- All identified hazards and their locations
- Who is at risk and how
- Risk ratings before and after controls
- Existing and additional control measures
- Person responsible for each action
- Implementation deadlines and completion dates
Implementation Tips
- Assign clear ownership for each control measure
- Set realistic deadlines and follow up regularly
- Communicate findings to all affected workers
- Update training materials to reflect new controls
- Budget for any equipment or modifications needed
- Keep records accessible for MOM inspections
Step 5: Review and Update Regularly
Risk assessments are not one-time exercises. They must be reviewed and updated to remain effective and compliant. Here is when to review:
| Trigger | Action Required | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Review | Full review of all risk assessments | At least every 3 years |
| Workplace Accident | Review assessment for the affected activity | Immediately after incident |
| Near-Miss Report | Evaluate if existing controls are adequate | Within 1 week |
| Process Change | Reassess affected work activities | Before implementing change |
| New Equipment | Conduct new assessment for the equipment | Before first use |
| Regulatory Update | Review compliance with new requirements | Within 1 month of update |
Risk Assessment for bizSAFE Certification
If your company is pursuing bizSAFE certification, your risk assessment must meet specific requirements:
The risk assessment is the foundation of your entire bizSAFE journey. Without a proper risk assessment, you cannot achieve bizSAFE Level 3 or higher, which means you may miss out on government tenders and projects that require bizSAFE certification.
When to Engage a Professional
While some companies can conduct basic risk assessments internally, there are situations where professional help is essential:
Need Expert Help With Your Risk Assessment?
Sage Shield Safety Consultants guides Singapore businesses through every step of the risk assessment process — from hazard identification to MOM compliance and bizSAFE certification. Explore our bizSAFE requirements.
Need a Legal Compliance Register?
Maintaining a legal register is a core requirement for ISO certification. Our AI-powered Legal Register covers 3,169+ legislation entries across 15 APAC countries and 14 ISO standards — auto-generated, continuously updated, and audit-ready. Try it free →