LMRA – Last Minute Risk Analysis

An LMRA matters because it closes the gap between a plan made in the office and the reality found on site. Conditions change: a ladder may have been moved, a permit may be missing, a workspace may have become cluttered, or a first aid kit may be empty. Running through the check immediately before the task ensures the controls you rely on are actually in place. It also serves as evidence. The checklist records the work location or site area, the residual risk level after controls, the number of hazards or concerns identified, the control measures applied, the assessment result, a signature, and the actual start and end dates of the inspection. That record supports regulatory compliance and gives you a factual basis for improving how the work is done.

A good LMRA is brief enough to be done every time and specific enough to catch real hazards. It should confirm your understanding of the task and its scope, and check that the current risk assessment is available on site. It should verify the tooling is correct and properly inspected, that your personal protective equipment (PPE) is adequate, and that trained first aid responders and fully stocked first aid kits are accessible. It should then address the hazards that apply to your particular job: fire and spark protection for hot work, inspected and certified ladders or scaffolding, pre-work permits and checks for working at heights or in confined spaces, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) equipment where required, and completed electrical hazard and asbestos inspections. The workspace itself should be clean, organized, and free from hazards or obstructions. The checklist should also prompt you to record any residual risk level after controls, count the hazards or concerns identified, describe additional observations and the control measures you applied, and give the assessment a result.

Carry out the LMRA at the work location just before you start, with the people who will do the job. Begin by recording the basics: the date, who prepared it, the location, and the work location or site area. Work through the questions in order and answer each one honestly using Yes, No, or N/A, where N/A applies only when the item genuinely does not apply to your task. Pay particular attention to the conditional items: fire and spark protection if hot work or spark generation is possible; inspection and certification if ladders or scaffolding are required; permits and checks for working at heights or in confined spaces; LOTO equipment if the task needs it; and completed electrical and asbestos inspections where relevant. Confirm your PPE is adequate, that tooling is inspected, and that first aid support is accessible. If anything falls short, stop and fix it before starting. When the checks are complete, assess the overall residual risk level after controls, note how many hazards or concerns you identified, describe them and the control measures you applied, record the assessment result, sign it, and log the real start and end times of the inspection.