A traditional risk assessment is carried out before work begins. But real-life sites change — weather shifts, equipment moves, new hazards appear, and last-minute changes to the plan can quickly compromise safety.

That’s why many UK companies now use PoWRA.

A Point of Work Risk Assessment (PoWRA) is a short, practical, on-the-spot assessment carried out by the person doing the task, immediately before work starts. It ensures the job is still safe to carry out in the conditions that exist right now.

If you manage teams, contractors, or hands-on site work, PoWRAs can significantly reduce incidents, reinforce safe behaviours, and demonstrate strong compliance with UK Health & Safety law.

What Is a PoWRA?

A PoWRA is a quick “stop and check” assessment that confirms whether:

• the planned work remains safe
• nothing new has changed since the original risk assessment
• workers understand the hazards, controls, and safe method of work
• the environment is suitable at that moment
• additional controls or a pause in work are required

Where a normal risk assessment is strategic and detailed, a PoWRA is tactical and situational.

It bridges the gap between paperwork and reality.

Why PoWRA Matters (Legal & Practical)

While PoWRAs are not directly named in legislation, they support key legal duties under the:

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

These regulations require employers to:

• assess risks
• provide safe systems of work
• ensure those systems remain safe

A PoWRA gives you evidence that you did exactly that, immediately before work started.

Top benefits for employers and site teams

• Early identification of site changes
• Fewer near misses and minor incidents
• Reinforces competency and safety culture
• Quick, practical, and easy to complete
• Helps demonstrate due diligence if audited

When Should You Use a PoWRA?

Use a PoWRA every time work begins, especially when tasks involve:

• Working at height
• Hot works
• Lifting operations
• Work in public areas
• Electrical work
• Groundworks and excavations
• Lone working
• Confined spaces
• Changing weather conditions

Also use PoWRAs when:

• conditions change mid-shift
• new equipment or people join the task
• previous controls no longer seem adequate

If anything feels “not quite right”, a PoWRA ensures that small concerns are caught before they escalate.

How to Complete a PoWRA (Step-by-Step Guide)

A good PoWRA is simple but structured. Here’s the workflow recommended across UK industries:

1. Pause and Observe the Work Area

Before touching tools or machinery, check:

• ground conditions
• weather
• lighting
• access routes
• overhead/underground hazards
• nearby public or operatives

This “stop, look, assess” moment is the core of PoWRA.

2. Confirm the Original Risk Assessment Still Applies

Ask: Is the planned safe system of work still correct?

If Yes — continue with PoWRA.
If No — stop the job and escalate.

3. Identify Any New or Emerging Hazards

These may include:

• a vehicle parked too close
• wet or icy surfaces
• new contractors nearby
• unstable materials
• noisy/dusty conditions
• missing signage
• compromised access

Document anything that has changed.

4. Check That Controls Are in Place

Typical controls to confirm:

• PPE
• barriers & signage
• permits (Hot Work, Work at Height, etc.)
• lockout/tagout
• safe work methods
• supervision

If something is missing, it must be corrected before work begins.

5. Decide if the Task Is Safe to Start

Choose one of the following outcomes:

• Safe to start
• Safe with additional controls
• Unsafe — stop work and escalate

The decision must be made by a competent person who understands the job.

6. Sign-off & Brief the Team

A PoWRA should include:

• name and signature of the person completing it
• time and date
• brief confirmation that those involved understand the risks

This record protects both the employer and the worker.

PoWRA Example Questions You Should Ask On Site

• Has anything changed since the original RAMS?
• Are all workers competent and briefed?
• Is the weather affecting safety?
• Are public or third parties at risk?
• Are all tools in good condition?
• Is housekeeping adequate?
• Do we have the right PPE today?

Your PoWRA template should guide the assessor through these prompts without slowing the job.

Download a Professional PoWRA Template

To save time and ensure consistent compliance, you can use a standardised PoWRA form designed for UK businesses.

It typically includes:

• Task details
• Work location
• Operative signatures
• Hazard checklist
• Controls confirmation
• Start/stop decision
• Corrective actions section

Get Your PoWRA Template (Docuqo 0102)

Need a clean, professional Point of Work Risk Assessment template?

Our PoWRA Template (Docuqo 0102) is:

• UK-compliant
• Fillable A4 PDF
• Fast to complete on site
• Perfect for construction, maintenance, trades, FM, warehouses, events & more
• Includes example content so your team knows exactly how to use it

👉 Download the PoWRA Template here
Give your team an easy, repeatable system that keeps every job safe from the moment it begins.

Related Templates & Guides

Looking for more Health & Safety documents? These resources support the PoWRA process:

• Free Risk Assessment Sample (0098)
• Health & Safety Starter Pack (0105)
• Risk Assessment Template (0103)
• Method Statement Template (0101)
• Point of Work Risk Assessment PoWRA (0102)
• RAMS Template – Risk Assessment & Method Statement (0106)
• Hot Work Permit Template (0105)
• Fire Risk Assessment Template (0107)
• COSHH Assessment Template (0104)