Risk assessment matrix poster (5 x 5)

A risk assessment matrix ranks a hazard by multiplying how severe its harm could be by how likely that harm is, then reads the score against bands that say what to do. This poster prints the 5 x 5 grid with every score worked out, the scale words for severity and likelihood, and four example bands from low to very high with the action for each. The bands match the free risk assessment matrix template and the risk matrix calculator on this site; your own risk policy sets the ones you use.

Download the poster

The PNG is free to download now. The print-ready vector PDFs open after a short form, once.

Download PNG (300 dpi)2550 x 3300 px, prints at 8.5 x 11 in · 472 KB · no form

Free to print and share with your team. Enter your name and work email once to download.

The words on the poster

Risk assessment matrix

Score = severity × likelihood. Score it now, then with the new controls.

Risk score = severity (1 to 5) × likelihood (1 to 5)

Low: 1 to 4 Accept with the controls in place. Review when the task changes.
Medium: 5 to 9 Reduce where you reasonably can. Supervisor agrees controls and a date.
High: 10 to 16 Reduce before work goes on, or temporary controls and a manager's approval.
Very high: 20 to 25 Stop. Do not start or carry on until the risk is reduced.

Severity 1 Negligible, 2 Minor, 3 Moderate, 4 Major, 5 Catastrophic.
Likelihood 1 Rare, 2 Unlikely, 3 Possible, 4 Likely, 5 Almost certain.

Severity 5? Act on it whatever the likelihood. Never add scores together.

Method: IEC 31010:2019. The scales and bands are an example; your risk policy sets them.

On the floor

How to use it

Putting the Risk assessment matrix poster (5 x 5) poster to work

1
Hang it where risk assessments and job safety analyses are done, so everyone scores with the same words.
2
Score with today's controls, then again with the new controls, and record both.
3
If your site uses different bands or scale words, write them on the poster before you put it up.
4
Read the severity as well as the score: a possible fatality needs action even when it is rare.

Where the poster goes and how to teach with it, in the order to try them.

Which size to print

24 x 36 in or A2: a main wall or team board, read from a few metres away.
18 x 24 in or A3: a station or notice board. The A3 file also fits 11 x 17 in paper.
Letter or A4: a clipboard, binder or handout, on any office printer.

Every PDF is vector, so it stays sharp at full size. Nothing runs to the edge of the page, so no bleed is needed.

Sources and notes

Risk matrices are simple and widely used, and they have known limits: very different hazards can share a score, a rare but fatal hazard can land in the same band as a frequent cut, and people read words like likely in different ways (Cox, 2008). Use written scale definitions, score as a group, and look at the severity on its own as well as the score. Never add scores together.

IEC 31010:2019, Risk management: risk assessment techniques, describes the consequence and likelihood matrix. No standard fixes the scales or bands.
Bands, scale words and actions: the free risk assessment matrix template on this site (an example banding: low 1 to 4, medium 5 to 9, high 10 to 16, very high 20 to 25).
L. A. Cox Jr. (2008), What's Wrong with Risk Matrices?, Risk Analysis 28(2), on the method's limits.