5x5 Risk Assessment Matrix Tool
Use this interactive 5x5 risk assessment matrix to quickly score a hazard (likelihood × consequence) and get a recommended action based on the result. Hover the axis labels for interpretation guidance and examples. This serves as a quick risk matrix template and risk identification matrix for your safety checks.
Read our primer article on risk matrices for context and examples.
Need a printable template instead? Click here.
Impact
How bad would the incident be
Probability
How likely is the incident to happen
Impact 1 — Low
Safety: First aid only; no lost time
Financial: <2% budget or <$500
Reputation: Low/no profile; minimal concern
Operations: Minor disruption; <1 day
Environment: Minor; immediate correction
Compliance: Minor internal variance
Assets/Systems: Negligible damage
Project: Small change (<$5,000)
Impact 2 — Minor
Safety: Medical treatment; no lasting harm
Financial: 2–5% budget or $500–$5,000
Reputation: Localised complaint/mention
Operations: Disruption; 1–3 days or reduced capacity
Environment: Local clean-up; short-term, recoverable
Compliance: Corrective action + internal reporting
Assets/Systems: Minor repairable damage
Project: Manageable change (<$20,000)
Impact 3 — Significant
Safety: Lost time or hospital treatment
Financial: 5–10% budget or $5,000–$25,000
Reputation: Credible issue; broader attention
Operations: Major disruption; 3–7 days or major rework
Environment: Moderate; recovery needed (may need support)
Compliance: Notifiable breach; remediation plan
Assets/Systems: Major repair; downtime
Project: Significant change (<$50,000)
Impact 4 — Major
Safety: Serious/permanent injury (multiple possible)
Financial: 10–20% budget or $25,000–$100,000
Reputation: High-profile; confidence impacted
Operations: Severe; 1–4 weeks or critical deliverables missed
Environment: Major; prolonged recovery (possible off-site)
Compliance: Enforcement likely; major corrective program
Assets/Systems: Severe damage; extended downtime/replacement
Project: Major change (<$150,000)
Impact 5 — Severe
Safety: Fatality or life-changing injury
Financial: >20% budget or >$100,000
Reputation: Sustained media; long-term damage
Operations: Prolonged shutdown; continuity threatened
Environment: Severe; long-term harm + extensive remediation
Compliance: Prosecution/major penalties possible
Assets/Systems: Catastrophic loss; full replacement
Project: Objectives no longer achievable
Probability 1 — Rare
Use when the event is highly unlikely in normal operations.
Guidance: - May occur only in exceptional circumstances - Strong controls already in place
Examples: - A once-in-years equipment failure with redundancy - A hazard only present during unusual weather or a one-off task
Probability 2 — Unlikely
Use when the event could happen, but it is not expected in routine work.
Guidance: - Could occur sometimes - Would usually require multiple things to go wrong
Examples: - A slip in a generally clean area during a short wet-weather period - Minor tool failure when inspections are consistent
Probability 3 — Moderate
Use when the event is plausible under normal conditions.
Guidance: - About a 50/50 chance depending on conditions - Similar jobs have had near-misses
Examples: - Manual handling strains on repetitive tasks without mechanical aids - Vehicle/pedestrian conflict in a busy yard with mixed traffic
Probability 4 — Likely
Use when the event is expected to occur in many circumstances.
Guidance: - Happens often enough to be a priority - Existing controls reduce impact but not occurrence
Examples: - Minor cuts/abrasions on frequent handling tasks without consistent PPE - Trips in cluttered work areas during peak activity
Probability 5 — Almost Certain
Use when the event is expected to occur frequently unless something changes.
Guidance: - Will occur in most circumstances - Controls are missing, ineffective, or not followed
Examples: - Repeated exposure to an unguarded moving part - Ongoing slips in an area with constant spills and no controls
Click any box to show the score, risk category, and what to do next.