كيفية إعداد تقييم مخاطر NEBOSH في عام 2026: دليل خطوة بخطوة

How to Write a NEBOSH Risk Assessment (GIC2) in 2026

The NEBOSH GIC2 practical risk assessment is your chance to demonstrate that you can apply health and safety knowledge to a real workplace. Under the 2026 format, you submit directly via the NEBOSH online platform within 10 working days of your GIC1 exam. Here's how to write one that passes first time.

Step 1: Choose Your Workplace

You need a real or simulated workplace to assess. Choose somewhere you have:

• Legitimate access — you must be able to walk the site freely
• A variety of hazards — offices, workshops, kitchens, warehouses, and construction sites all work well
• Permission from the employer/manager — you'll need to take photographs
• Familiarity — your own workplace is usually the best choice

Tip: Avoid overly simple environments (a home office) or overly complex ones (a chemical plant with hundreds of processes). A medium-complexity workplace with 10–15 identifiable hazards is ideal.

Step 2: Plan Your Assessment

Before you start writing, plan your approach:

• Walk the site with fresh eyes — pretend you've never been there before
• Take extensive photographs — you'll use these as evidence throughout
• Note the activities happening — routine tasks, maintenance, cleaning, deliveries
• Count the people — employees, contractors, visitors, members of the public
• Check existing documentation — are there current risk assessments, method statements, or policies?

Step 3: Write Your Introduction (Section A)

Your introduction should give the examiner a clear picture of the workplace in 200–300 words:

Include:

• Name and type of organisation (you can anonymise if needed)
• Location and physical description of the area assessed
• Main activities and processes
• Number and types of workers (full-time, part-time, contractors)
• Operating hours and shifts
• Why the assessment is being conducted
• Scope and boundaries — what area are you covering?

Example opening:

*"This risk assessment covers the ground-floor production workshop of a medium-sized furniture manufacturing company in Johannesburg, Gauteng. The workshop employs 18 full-time operatives and 3 contractors across a single day shift (07:00–16:00). Activities include timber cutting, sanding, assembly, lacquering, and dispatch. The assessment was conducted on [date] to fulfil the NEBOSH GIC2 practical requirement and to identify areas for improvement in the company's health and safety management."*

Step 4: Identify and Describe Hazards (Section B)

This is the highest-weighted section. You need at least 10 distinct hazards, but quality matters more than quantity.

For each hazard, include:

1. Hazard number and title (e.g., "Hazard 1: Unguarded circular saw blade")
2. Specific description of what you observed
3. Who is at risk and how many people
4. The potential harm — what injury or ill health could result
5. Photographic evidence — labelled and captioned
6. Existing controls already in place (if any)

Worked example:

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Hazard 4: Manual handling of heavy timber boards

*Observation:* Workers manually lift and carry rough-sawn timber boards (approximately 30–40 kg each) from the delivery area to the cutting station, a distance of approximately 15 metres. The route passes over an uneven concrete floor with no designated walkway. No mechanical lifting aids are available.

*Who is at risk:* 6 workshop operatives who handle timber daily; 2 delivery drivers who assist with unloading.

*Potential harm:* Musculoskeletal injuries (back strain, shoulder injuries), slips/trips while carrying loads, crush injuries if boards are dropped.

*Existing controls:* Workers have received verbal instruction on lifting technique. No formal manual handling assessment has been conducted.

*[Photo 4: Worker carrying timber board across workshop floor — note uneven surface and lack of walkway markings]*

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Spread your hazards across categories:

• Physical (noise, vibration, temperature)
• Mechanical (machinery, tools, vehicles)
• Chemical (substances, dust, fumes)
• Ergonomic (manual handling, workstation design, repetitive tasks)
• Fire and electrical
• Psychosocial (stress, lone working, violence)
• Biological (if relevant to the workplace)

Step 5: Evaluate and Prioritise Risks (Section C)

For each hazard, evaluate the risk using a likelihood × severity matrix:

Likelihood scale:

• 1 = Very unlikely (has never happened, strong controls in place)
• 2 = Unlikely (could happen but rare)
• 3 = Likely (has happened before or could reasonably occur)
• 4 = Very likely (happens regularly or controls are absent)

Severity scale:

• 1 = Minor (first aid injury, minor discomfort)
• 2 = Moderate (medical treatment, short-term absence)
• 3 = Serious (major injury, long-term absence, hospitalisation)
• 4 = Critical (fatality, permanent disability, multiple casualties)

Risk rating = Likelihood × Severity

Continuing our worked example:

*Hazard 4 — Manual handling of timber boards*

• Likelihood: 3 (Likely — happens multiple times daily with no mechanical aids)
• Severity: 3 (Serious — back injuries can result in long-term absence)
• Risk Rating: 9 (Medium-High)
• Justification: "Workers lift 30–40 kg loads repeatedly without mechanical aids or formal training. The uneven floor increases trip risk while carrying. No manual handling assessment exists despite the Hazardous Biological Agents Regulations requiring one."

Prioritise your hazards from highest to lowest risk rating. Your recommendations in Section D should address the highest-rated hazards first.

Step 6: Recommend Control Measures (Section D)

For each hazard, recommend controls following the hierarchy of controls:

1. Eliminate — remove the hazard entirely
2. Substitute — replace with something less hazardous
3. Engineering controls — physical measures (guards, ventilation, barriers)
4. Administrative controls — procedures, training, signage, supervision
5. PPE — personal protective equipment (last resort)

Continuing our worked example:

*Hazard 4 — Manual handling of timber boards*

*Justification: Introducing mechanical handling eliminates the manual lifting hazard at source. Floor repairs and walkway markings address the secondary trip hazard. Training and PPE provide additional layers of protection for residual risk.*

Step 7: Review, Proofread, and Submit

Before submitting via the NEBOSH online platform:

Quality checks:

• ☐ All 10+ hazards are specific and evidence-based
• ☐ Every hazard has a photograph with a clear caption
• ☐ Risk ratings are justified with evidence, not just numbers
• ☐ Prioritisation is logical — highest risks addressed first
• ☐ Controls follow the hierarchy (not all PPE)
• ☐ Timescales and responsibilities are included for every recommendation
• ☐ The introduction clearly describes the workplace and scope
• ☐ Cross-references are consistent (Hazard numbers match across sections)
• ☐ Grammar and spelling are professional
• ☐ You're using the official NEBOSH GIC2 template

Submission:

• Submit directly via the NEBOSH online platform (not through your learning partner)
• Deadline: 10 working days after your GIC1 assessment
• Save a local copy before uploading
• Screenshot the confirmation page

Common Reasons for Failing GIC2

Based on NEBOSH examiner reports, the most common reasons for failure are:

1. Insufficient hazards — fewer than 10, or too vague
2. No photographs — or photos without captions/labels
3. Unjustified risk ratings — numbers without reasoning
4. Weak recommendations — "provide training" without specifics
5. Ignoring the hierarchy of controls — jumping straight to PPE
6. Poor structure — not following the NEBOSH template
7. Missing who is at risk — hazards described without identifying affected people
8. No timescales — recommendations without deadlines

Final Advice

The GIC2 practical assessment is not an exam you can cram for. It rewards methodical observation, clear thinking, and professional presentation. Take your time, use all 10 working days if needed, and get feedback from your tutor before submitting.

Download our free GIC2 Checklist for a printable summary of everything you need to tick off before submission.

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References

1. NEBOSH (2026). *GIC2 Practical Assessment Guidance for Learners*. nebosh.org.uk
2. NEBOSH (2026). *NEBOSH General Certificate Syllabus Guide*. nebosh.org.uk
3. HSE (2025). *Five Steps to Risk Assessment (INDG163)*. hse.gov.uk
4. Republic of South Africa (1993). *Occupational Health and Safety Act, No. 85 of 1993*. labour.gov.za
5. ISO (2018). *ISO 45001:2018 — Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems*. iso.org