Under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (MHSWR) it is a legal requirement for employers to assess and manage the risks at work.

A company with five or more employees must document the risk assessment by law. However, companies with less than five employees do not legally have to document their risk assessment. Although it is advised to do so in order to provide clear reference, guidance and training for managers and employees. In the event of an accident, it may also be relied upon to show that all steps have been taken by the business to ensure safety ‘so far as is reasonably practicable’.