Risk assessment template (PDF and Excel)
Form and Excel spreadsheet for the risk assessment (Gefährdungsbeurteilung) under German law – with the 11 hazard factors, risk rating, measures according to the STOP principle, owners and deadlines.
As of PDF and ExcelAMS Go editorial team
Every employer in Germany must carry out and document a risk assessment from the first employee (Sections 5 and 6 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, ArbSchG). No particular form is prescribed – what matters is that hazards are systematically identified, assessed and given measures.
This template guides you through exactly these steps: define the work area and activity, assign hazards to the eleven hazard factors, rate the risk by likelihood and severity, record measures according to the STOP principle with owners and deadlines, and check effectiveness.
What the template contains
- PDF form in landscape format to print or fill in on screen
- Excel spreadsheet with drop-down lists for hazard factor, risk and type of measure
- Second worksheet with the eleven hazard factors as a checklist for identifying hazards
- Risk matrix (likelihood × severity) directly in the spreadsheet
- Columns for owners, deadlines, completion and effectiveness review
How to use the template
- 1
Define areas
Divide the company into work areas or activities. You can group similar workstations together – one template per area.
- 2
Identify hazards
Go through the eleven hazard factors in the second worksheet. Inspections, accident reports, operating manuals and safety data sheets provide the clues.
- 3
Rate the risk
For each hazard, estimate likelihood and severity on a scale of 1 to 3. From a product of 6, action is urgently needed.
- 4
Define and follow up measures
Define measures in the order substitution, technical, organisational, personal – with an owner and deadline. Record completion and check after a few weeks whether the measure works.
Legal basis
- Section 5 ArbSchG: assessment of working conditions
- Section 6 ArbSchG: documentation
- Section 3 of the Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health (BetrSichV) and Section 6 of the Hazardous Substances Ordinance (GefStoffV): special requirements for work equipment and hazardous substances
- Section 10 of the Maternity Protection Act (MuSchG): risk assessment for every activity, even without a specific pregnancy
Frequently asked questions
Is the Excel template sufficient as a risk assessment?
Yes, the law does not prescribe a form. The spreadsheet must contain the results of the assessment, the measures defined and the result of their review (Section 6 ArbSchG). With several areas, sites and versions, however, Excel quickly reaches its limits – then software with history and reminders helps.
How often must the risk assessment be updated?
Whenever something changes: new work equipment, processes or hazardous substances, alterations, accidents or new findings. Regardless of this, a regular review is advisable, for example annually. The “Next review” field in the template helps you set the date.
Who may carry out the risk assessment?
The employer is responsible. They can assign competent persons such as managers to do it; the occupational safety specialist and company doctor advise. Employees should be involved – they know their workplaces best.
May I use the template freely in my company?
Yes. The template may be used, adapted and copied freely in your own company and for your own clients. Reselling the template itself is not permitted.
You may use and adapt the template freely in your own company and for your own clients. It reflects the regulations named as they stand, but does not replace legal advice or adapting it to your own company.
Never search a spreadsheet for a deadline again
In AMS Go, what this template covers lives in one system with reminders, history and records at the push of a button – mobile and with AI support.
