What is HIRA? – Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

Introduction

Every workplace has hazards.

Some hazards are easy to identify, such as an exposed electrical wire, unstable material stacking, chemical leakage, moving vehicles, or an unguarded machine. However, many workplace hazards are not immediately visible.

A worker may develop back pain because of repeated manual handling. A chemical may create a fire risk because incompatible materials are stored together. A warehouse may have a pedestrian collision risk because vehicle and walking routes are not properly separated.

This is why organizations need a systematic method to identify hazards and evaluate the risks associated with them.

One of the most commonly used approaches is HIRA – Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment.

HIRA helps an organization understand:

What can go wrong, how serious the consequence could be, how likely it is to happen, and what controls are required to reduce the risk.

HIRA is not simply an Excel sheet or an ISO document.

A good HIRA should represent the actual workplace and actual work activities.

This article explains HIRA in simple and practical terms, including its purpose, process, risk assessment, examples, control measures, common mistakes, and practical implementation in warehouses, chemical storage areas, offices, and industrial workplaces.

What is HIRA?

HIRA stands for:

Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

It is a systematic process used to:

Identify hazards.
Determine possible consequences.
Assess the associated risk.
Identify existing controls.
Determine additional controls where required.
Assign responsibility.
Monitor implementation.
Review the risk periodically.

Simple Definition

HIRA is a structured method for identifying workplace hazards and evaluating the risks they may create so that appropriate control measures can be implemented.

Why is HIRA Important?

The purpose of HIRA is prevention.

Instead of waiting for an accident, HIRA asks:

What could cause an accident or illness, and what can we do before it happens?

A properly prepared HIRA can help identify risks related to:

Chemical handling.
Fire.
Electrical systems.
Manual handling.
Material movement.
Forklifts.
Slips and trips.
Working at height.
Machinery.
Ergonomics.
Noise.
Emergency situations.
Housekeeping.
Storage and stacking.
Environmental conditions.

HIRA and Workplace Safety

HIRA is an important part of a proactive safety-management approach.

The basic principle is:

Hazard Identification → Risk Assessment → Risk Control → Monitoring → Review

The process should continue throughout the life of the workplace.

A HIRA prepared five years ago may not be sufficient if:

The warehouse has moved.
New chemicals are introduced.
New equipment is installed.
The layout changes.
Work methods change.
Employee numbers change.
New hazards are identified.
An incident or near miss occurs.

Therefore, HIRA should be treated as a living safety document.

Hazard vs Risk

Understanding the difference between hazard and risk is essential.

What is a Hazard?

A hazard is something that has the potential to cause harm.

Examples:

Chemical.
Electricity.
Fire.
Moving vehicle.
Sharp object.
Heavy load.

What is Risk?

Risk is related to the possibility of harm occurring and the severity of the consequence.

Example

Hazard: Forklift movement.

Risk: A pedestrian may be struck by the forklift, resulting in serious injury.

Another example:

Hazard: Corrosive chemical.

Risk: Worker may suffer skin or eye injury following exposure.

Therefore:

Hazard = Source of potential harm

Risk = Potential for harm and its consequence

HIRA Process

A practical HIRA process can be divided into the following steps:

Step 1 – Identify Activities

List the work activities performed in the area.

Step 2 – Identify Hazards

Determine what can cause harm.

Step 3 – Identify Consequences

Determine what could happen if the hazard causes an unwanted event.

Step 4 – Identify Existing Controls

Record the controls already in place.

Step 5 – Assess Risk

Determine severity and likelihood according to the organization's risk methodology.

Step 6 – Determine Risk Level

Calculate or classify the risk.

Step 7 – Identify Additional Controls

Determine what additional measures are required.

Step 8 – Assign Responsibility

Assign responsible persons or departments.

Step 9 – Implement Actions

Complete the required actions.

Step 10 – Review

Verify whether the controls are effective and update HIRA when required.

Step 1 – Identify Activities

The first step is to identify the activities performed in the workplace.

For a warehouse, activities may include:

Vehicle entry.
Container unloading.
Material unloading.
Material inspection.
Manual material handling.
Pallet movement.
Storage.
Stacking.
Packing.
Loading.
Dispatch.
Housekeeping.
Chemical spill response.
Waste handling.
Maintenance.

For an office:

Computer work.
Printing.
Electrical equipment use.
Pantry activities.
Housekeeping.
Visitor movement.
Emergency evacuation.

A HIRA should cover actual activities rather than generic activities copied from another organization.

Step 2 – Hazard Identification

Once the activity is identified, determine the hazards.

Ask:

What can cause harm during this activity?

Example

Activity: Manual handling of chemical bags.

Possible hazards:

Heavy load.
Awkward posture.
Bag damage.
Chemical exposure.
Dropping material.
Foot injury.

Multiple hazards may exist within a single activity.

Step 3 – Identify Risk / Consequence

After identifying the hazard, determine what could happen.

Example

Activity: Chemical bag handling

Hazard: Damaged bag

Consequence:

Chemical leakage.
Skin contact.
Eye exposure.
Slip hazard.
Environmental contamination.

Another example:

Activity: Material stacking

Hazard: Unstable stack

Consequence:

Falling material.
Worker injury.
Product damage.

Step 4 – Identify Existing Controls

Existing controls are measures already implemented to reduce the risk.

Examples include:

SOP.
Training.
PPE.
Safety signage.
Guarding.
Racking.
Inspection.
Fire protection.
Spill kit.
SDS.
Emergency response procedure.
Access control.
Mechanical handling equipment.

Important

Do not write only:

"PPE available."

If PPE is actually being used, write the relevant PPE and its application.

Controls should reflect what is actually implemented, not what the organization hopes to implement.

Step 5 – Risk Assessment

Risk is generally evaluated using two major factors:

Severity

How serious could the consequence be?

Likelihood

How likely is the event to occur?

An organization's risk matrix may then combine these factors to determine a risk score or risk level.

A simple example is:

Risk Score = Severity × Likelihood

However, the exact scoring method should follow the organization's approved risk-assessment procedure.

Severity

Severity refers to the seriousness of the possible consequence.

For example:

Low Severity

Minor first-aid injury.
Small material damage.

Medium Severity

Medical treatment injury.
Significant property damage.

High Severity

Serious injury.
Permanent disability.
Fatality.
Major fire or significant environmental impact.

The exact definitions should be established by the organization's risk matrix.

Likelihood

Likelihood refers to how probable it is that an event may occur.

For example:

Low Likelihood

The event is unlikely under existing conditions.

Medium Likelihood

The event could occur occasionally.

High Likelihood

The event is reasonably expected or occurs frequently.

Again, the exact scoring criteria should be defined by the organization's approved methodology.

Risk Matrix

A typical risk matrix combines:

Severity × Likelihood

For example:

Severity	Likelihood	Risk
Low	Low	Low
Medium	Low	Low/Medium
High	Low	Medium
Medium	High	High
High	High	Very High

The exact categories and scoring system may differ between organizations.

Important

Do not copy a risk matrix from another company without checking whether it matches your organization's approved procedure.

Residual Risk

After additional controls are implemented, the risk may be reassessed.

This is often called Residual Risk.

Example

Initial risk:

High

Additional controls:

Improved storage.
Restricted access.
Training.
Mechanical handling.
Inspection.

After implementation, the risk may be reassessed according to the organization's methodology.

The purpose is to determine whether the remaining risk is acceptable under the defined criteria.

Example HIRA – Chemical Warehouse

Activity

Chemical material unloading.

Situation

Normal operation.

Hazard

Damaged or leaking chemical container.

Risk / Consequence

Chemical exposure, skin/eye injury, slip hazard, environmental contamination.

Existing Controls

PPE.
Visual inspection.
SDS.
Spill kit.
Trained workers.

Severity

High.

Likelihood

Low/Medium depending on actual conditions.

Additional Controls

Improve incoming material inspection.
Use suitable handling equipment.
Establish damaged-material procedure.
Maintain spill response training.

Responsible Person

Warehouse/Safety responsible person.

Status

Open / Closed as applicable.

This example should be adapted to the organization's actual risk matrix and workplace conditions.

HIRA Example – Manual Handling

Activity

Manual handling of chemical bags.

Hazard

Heavy load and awkward posture.

Consequence

Back strain or musculoskeletal injury.

Existing Controls

Manual handling training.
Team lifting.
Suitable trolley.
Safety shoes.

Additional Controls

Reduce manual lifting where practical.
Use mechanical handling equipment.
Review material weight.
Improve handling technique.

HIRA Example – Fire

Activity

Chemical storage.

Hazard

Flammable material exposed to an ignition source.

Consequence

Fire, burns, property damage, and possible escalation.

Existing Controls

Fire extinguishers.
No-smoking signage.
Electrical inspection.
Housekeeping.
Fire emergency procedure.
Emergency training.

Additional Controls

Improve storage segregation.
Maintain ignition-source control.
Conduct periodic inspections.

HIRA Example – Forklift / Vehicle Movement

Activity

Material movement.

Hazard

Vehicle and pedestrian interaction.

Consequence

Collision and serious injury.

Existing Controls

Designated movement area.
Trained operators.
Safety shoes.
Warning signage.

Additional Controls

Separate pedestrian route.
Improve traffic management.
Use designated loading zones.
Improve visibility at blind areas.

HIRA Example – Electrical Hazard

Activity

Use of electrical equipment.

Hazard

Damaged cable or electrical connection.

Consequence

Electric shock, short circuit, fire.

Existing Controls

Electrical inspection.
Proper sockets.
Equipment maintenance.
Authorized electrical work.

Additional Controls

Replace damaged cables immediately.
Periodic inspection.
Prevent overloading.

HIRA Example – Slips and Trips

Activity

Warehouse movement.

Hazard

Obstruction or spilled material on walkway.

Consequence

Slip, trip, fall and injury.

Existing Controls

Housekeeping.
Defined walkways.
Spill response.
Routine inspections.

Additional Controls

Improve housekeeping frequency.
Remove obstructions immediately.
Investigate recurring causes.

Normal, Abnormal and Emergency Conditions

One of the most important aspects of practical HIRA is considering different operating conditions.

Normal Condition

Routine work performed as intended.

Examples:

Normal chemical storage.
Regular material movement.
Routine loading.

Abnormal Condition

Unusual but foreseeable conditions.

Examples:

Damaged pallet.
Equipment malfunction.
Temporary maintenance.
Damaged chemical packaging.
Temporary storage arrangement.

Emergency Condition

A serious situation requiring emergency response.

Examples:

Fire.
Major chemical spill.
Serious injury.
Major leakage.
Emergency evacuation.

A strong HIRA should consider all relevant conditions.

Routine and Non-Routine Activities

HIRA should not focus only on daily activities.

Non-routine activities can also create significant hazards.

Examples:

Maintenance.
Cleaning.
Repair.
Emergency response.
Equipment installation.
Container unloading.
Handling damaged material.
Waste removal.

A task that happens only once a month may still have a significant risk.

Hazard Categories in HIRA

A comprehensive HIRA should consider different hazard categories.

Physical Hazards

Noise.
Heat.
Vibration.
Slips.
Trips.
Falls.

Chemical Hazards

Toxic substances.
Corrosive chemicals.
Flammable chemicals.
Irritants.
Chemical incompatibility.

Electrical Hazards

Electric shock.
Short circuit.
Arc flash.
Damaged wiring.

Fire Hazards

Ignition sources.
Flammable materials.
Combustible waste.
Electrical faults.

Mechanical Hazards

Moving equipment.
Crushing.
Pinch points.
Falling objects.

Ergonomic Hazards

Manual handling.
Repetitive work.
Awkward posture.

Biological Hazards

Microorganisms.
Contaminated material.
Pest-related exposure.

Environmental Hazards

Chemical release.
Waste.
Spill.
Environmental contamination.

Human Factors

Fatigue.
Lack of training.
Poor communication.
Unsafe shortcuts.
Inadequate supervision.

Hierarchy of Controls in HIRA

Once risks are identified, controls should be selected using the Hierarchy of Controls.

The general order is:

1. Elimination

Remove the hazard completely.

2. Substitution

Replace the hazard with a safer alternative.

3. Engineering Controls

Separate people from the hazard.

4. Administrative Controls

Use procedures, training, signage, scheduling, and supervision.

5. PPE

Protect the worker through suitable personal protective equipment.

Important Principle

PPE should not automatically be the first or only control considered.

For example, if a chemical exposure hazard exists, simply writing "use gloves" may not be sufficient.

The organization should first consider whether the hazard can be eliminated, substituted, isolated, or otherwise engineered.

HIRA and Worker Participation

Employees should be involved in hazard identification wherever practical.

Workers can provide valuable information about:

Difficult tasks.
Frequent problems.
Equipment issues.
Unsafe conditions.
Near misses.
Practical limitations of procedures.

A safety professional may observe a task for 15 minutes.

The person performing that task may have several years of practical experience.

Therefore, worker participation can significantly improve the quality of HIRA.

HIRA and Near Misses

Near misses should be reviewed against the existing HIRA.

Example

A chemical bag nearly falls from a pallet.

Questions:

Was this hazard already identified?
Was the risk assessment adequate?
Did the existing control fail?
Was the stacking method suitable?
Does HIRA need revision?

Near misses can therefore be used as a source of continual improvement.

HIRA and Incident Investigation

After an incident, the organization should determine whether the hazard was:

Not identified.
Identified but incorrectly assessed.
Identified but controls were inadequate.
Identified and controls existed but were not followed.
Created by a recent change.

The HIRA should be reviewed where necessary.

HIRA and Management of Change

A change can introduce a new hazard.

Examples:

New warehouse.
New chemical.
New equipment.
New storage system.
New process.
Layout change.
New supplier.
Change in workforce.

Before implementing significant changes, the organization should consider whether existing HIRA remains valid.

HIRA in Chemical Warehousing

Chemical warehouses require special attention because hazards may arise from:

Chemical properties.
Flammability.
Toxicity.
Corrosivity.
Chemical incompatibility.
Packaging failure.
Leakage.
Storage conditions.
Material handling.
Fire.
Spill response.

SDS information should be considered when evaluating chemical hazards.

HIRA for Chemical Compatibility

Activity

Chemical storage.

Hazard

Incompatible chemicals stored together.

Consequence

Chemical reaction.
Heat generation.
Fire.
Toxic gas release.
Container damage.

Controls

SDS review.
Compatibility assessment.
Segregated storage.
Clear labeling.
Storage inspection.
Employee awareness.

This is an example of why HIRA should be based on actual chemical properties rather than simply listing "chemical hazard."

HIRA for Spill Response

Activity

Chemical spill cleanup.

Hazard

Direct contact with spilled chemical.

Consequence

Skin exposure.
Eye injury.
Inhalation.
Environmental contamination.

Controls

Spill kit.
SDS.
Appropriate PPE.
Trained response personnel.
Emergency procedure.

Additional controls may include:

Regular spill drills.
Inspection of spill kits.
Chemical-specific response instructions.

HIRA for Waste Handling

Activity

Handling chemical-contaminated waste.

Hazard

Chemical exposure.

Consequence

Skin/eye injury or inhalation exposure.

Controls

Suitable container.
Labeling.
PPE.
Training.
Designated storage.

Waste handling should also be considered from an environmental perspective.

HIRA Documentation

A practical HIRA format may include:

Sr. No.

Situation

Activity

Hazard

Risk / Consequence

Existing Controls

Severity

Likelihood

Risk Score

Action Plan

Responsible Person

Status

Organizations may modify the format according to their procedures.

The important point is that the document should clearly show:

Hazard → Risk → Controls → Action → Responsibility → Status

Common HIRA Mistakes

1. Copy-Paste HIRA

A generic HIRA may contain hazards that do not exist while missing hazards that actually exist.

2. Identifying Only Obvious Hazards

Hidden, ergonomic, human-factor, and emergency hazards may be missed.

3. Not Considering Abnormal Conditions

Damaged material, maintenance, breakdowns, and temporary work can create additional risks.

4. Only Mentioning PPE

Writing "PPE" for every hazard does not demonstrate effective risk control.

5. Incorrect Risk Scores

Severity and likelihood should be based on the organization's defined methodology.

6. Not Updating HIRA

HIRA should be reviewed when conditions change.

7. No Action Tracking

An identified high-risk issue should not remain only in an Excel file.

8. No Worker Participation

Ignoring workers can result in an incomplete assessment.

9. Not Linking Incidents to HIRA

Lessons from incidents and near misses should be considered during review.

10. Treating HIRA as an Audit Document Only

HIRA should be used as a practical safety-management tool, not prepared only because an auditor may ask for it.

How Often Should HIRA Be Reviewed?

There is no single universal frequency suitable for every workplace.

HIRA should be reviewed according to organizational requirements and whenever significant changes occur.

Review may be necessary:

Periodically according to company procedure.
After an accident.
After a near miss.
After major changes.
When new chemicals are introduced.
When new equipment is installed.
When the workplace layout changes.
When new hazards are identified.
When controls are found ineffective.

HIRA Verification

Preparing the HIRA is only the beginning.

The organization should verify:

Are the controls actually present and working?

For example:

HIRA says:

"Spill kit available."

Verification should check:

Is the spill kit actually available?
Is it complete?
Is it accessible?
Are employees trained?
Is it suitable for the chemicals present?

This is the difference between documented control and effective control.

Practical HIRA Review Checklist

Activity

☐ All activities identified.

☐ Routine activities included.

☐ Non-routine activities included.

Hazard

☐ Hazards identified properly.

☐ Physical hazards considered.

☐ Chemical hazards considered.

☐ Electrical hazards considered.

☐ Fire hazards considered.

☐ Ergonomic hazards considered.

☐ Human factors considered.

Conditions

☐ Normal conditions considered.

☐ Abnormal conditions considered.

☐ Emergency conditions considered.

Risk

☐ Severity assessed.

☐ Likelihood assessed.

☐ Risk score calculated according to approved methodology.

Controls

☐ Existing controls verified.

☐ Hierarchy of Controls considered.

☐ Additional actions identified.

☐ Responsible person assigned.

☐ Target/status tracked.

Review

☐ Near misses reviewed.

☐ Incidents reviewed.

☐ Changes considered.

☐ HIRA updated when required.

Personal Experience

From my experience in warehouse and industrial safety, I have learned that a good HIRA should describe the workplace as it actually exists, not simply what is written in a procedure. During a workplace review, one activity can have several hazards—for example, chemical handling may involve manual handling, damaged packaging, chemical exposure, stacking, vehicle movement, and fire risk at the same time. This is why I prefer to review the actual activity, speak with workers, observe the workplace, check existing controls, and then update the HIRA. A HIRA becomes useful when it helps the team prevent an accident—not when it simply looks complete during an audit.

Key Learning

Observe the actual workplace.
Talk to workers.
Identify normal, abnormal, and emergency conditions.
Consider routine and non-routine activities.
Review near misses and incidents.
Verify existing controls.
Use the Hierarchy of Controls.
Update HIRA when conditions change.

HIRA and Continual Improvement

HIRA Review and Continual Improvement Cycle

HIRA should support continual improvement.

The organization can use information from:

Inspections.
Audits.
Near misses.
Incidents.
Employee suggestions.
Emergency drills.
New equipment.
New chemicals.
Process changes.
Corrective actions.

Each new learning opportunity should raise the question:

Does our existing HIRA still represent the actual risk?

If not, it should be reviewed and improved.

HIRA and ISO 45001

HIRA supports an organization's occupational health and safety management system.

Within an ISO 45001-based system, organizations establish processes for identifying hazards, assessing risks, determining controls, managing changes, considering worker participation, and continually improving OH&S performance.

HIRA can therefore become an important link between:

Workplace Activities → Hazards → Risks → Controls → Monitoring → Improvement

The exact implementation should be aligned with the organization's management system and applicable requirements.

HIRA – Practical Flow

Identify Activity

↓

Identify Hazard

↓

Identify Consequence

↓

Identify Existing Controls

↓

Assess Severity

↓

Assess Likelihood

↓

Determine Risk

↓

Apply Additional Controls

↓

Assign Responsibility

↓

Implement Action

↓

Verify Effectiveness

↓

Review & Update HIRA

Do's

✔ Prepare HIRA based on actual workplace conditions.

✔ Involve workers.

✔ Consider routine and non-routine activities.

✔ Consider normal, abnormal, and emergency conditions.

✔ Review chemical SDS information where relevant.

✔ Consider previous incidents and near misses.

✔ Apply the Hierarchy of Controls.

✔ Verify existing controls.

✔ Assign responsibility for actions.

✔ Review HIRA after significant changes.

Don'ts

❌ Do not simply copy another company's HIRA.

❌ Do not identify only obvious hazards.

❌ Do not use PPE as the only control for every hazard.

❌ Do not ignore abnormal conditions.

❌ Do not ignore emergency situations.

❌ Do not leave high-risk actions without responsibility.

❌ Do not keep outdated HIRA documents.

❌ Do not ignore worker feedback.

❌ Do not prepare HIRA only for audit purposes.

❌ Do not assume that a documented control is automatically an effective control.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. What does HIRA stand for?

HIRA stands for Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment.

Q2. What is the main purpose of HIRA?

The main purpose is to systematically identify workplace hazards, assess associated risks, and determine appropriate controls.

Q3. Is HIRA the same as risk assessment?

HIRA includes both hazard identification and risk assessment. Hazard identification determines what can cause harm, while risk assessment evaluates the associated risk.

Q4. Who should prepare HIRA?

HIRA should ideally involve competent safety personnel and relevant people familiar with the work. Worker participation is valuable because employees understand the practical aspects of the task.

Q5. Should PPE be included in HIRA?

Yes, where appropriate. However, PPE should generally be considered along with higher-level controls rather than being the only control.

Q6. Should chemical hazards be included?

Yes. Chemical properties, SDS information, storage conditions, handling, exposure routes, incompatibility, fire, and spill risks should be considered where relevant.

Q7. Should emergency conditions be included?

Yes. Relevant emergency conditions such as fire, chemical spills, serious injury, or major leakage should be considered.

Q8. When should HIRA be updated?

HIRA should be reviewed periodically according to the organization's procedure and whenever significant changes, incidents, near misses, new hazards, or ineffective controls are identified.

Q9. Can one HIRA cover an entire warehouse?

It can cover the warehouse at a suitable level, but activities and areas should be sufficiently detailed to ensure important hazards are not missed.

Q10. What makes a good HIRA?

A good HIRA is:

Practical.
Activity-specific.
Based on actual conditions.
Worker-informed.
Risk-focused.
Linked to controls.
Regularly reviewed.

Conclusion

HIRA is one of the most useful tools for proactive workplace safety.

It helps organizations move from:

"Something happened, now let's react."

to:

"What could happen, and what can we do to prevent it?"

A strong HIRA process should identify the actual activities performed in the workplace, recognize associated hazards, assess their risks, and establish suitable controls.

For warehouses and chemical-storage areas, HIRA should consider:

Chemical storage.
Chemical handling.
Material unloading.
Loading.
Manual handling.
Stacking.
Forklift/vehicle movement.
Fire.
Electrical hazards.
Spill response.
Waste handling.
Housekeeping.
Emergency conditions.
Equipment maintenance.

Most importantly, HIRA should not remain only as a document.

It should be connected to:

Inspection → Training → SOP → Control Measures → Near-Miss Reporting → Incident Investigation → Corrective Action → Continual Improvement

The ultimate objective of HIRA is simple:

Identify the hazard before the hazard causes harm.

Discussion

How is HIRA prepared in your workplace? Do you review it only during audits, or do you regularly update it based on workplace inspections, near misses, incidents, and process changes? Share your practical experience in the comments.

About the Author

Written by Mahesh Chand

Warehouse Safety Professional | Chemical Warehousing | Fire Safety | ISO 9001 & ISO 45001

Mahesh Chand has 12+ years of professional experience in chemical warehousing, industrial safety, warehouse operations, fire prevention, HIRA, risk assessment, emergency preparedness, and ISO management systems. Through Trading Hatke, he shares practical workplace safety knowledge, real industrial experience, and easy-to-understand safety guidance to help safety professionals, students, and organizations build safer workplaces.

📌 Follow Trading Hatke for more practical safety guides, warehouse management tips, and ISO best practices.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. Risk assessment methods, scoring systems, control measures, and review frequencies should be adapted to the specific workplace, activities, applicable requirements, organizational procedures, and competent professional advice.

Pages

Thursday, July 16, 2026

What is HIRA? – Complete Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment Guide

What is HIRA? – Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment

Introduction

What is HIRA?

Simple Definition

Why is HIRA Important?

HIRA and Workplace Safety

Hazard vs Risk

What is a Hazard?

What is Risk?

Example

HIRA Process

Step 1 – Identify Activities

Step 2 – Identify Hazards

Step 3 – Identify Consequences

Step 4 – Identify Existing Controls

Step 5 – Assess Risk

Step 6 – Determine Risk Level

Step 7 – Identify Additional Controls

Step 8 – Assign Responsibility

Step 9 – Implement Actions

Step 10 – Review

Step 1 – Identify Activities

Step 2 – Hazard Identification

Example

Step 3 – Identify Risk / Consequence

Example

Step 4 – Identify Existing Controls

Important

Step 5 – Risk Assessment

Severity

Likelihood

Severity

Low Severity

Medium Severity

High Severity

Likelihood

Low Likelihood

Medium Likelihood

High Likelihood

Risk Matrix

Important

Residual Risk

Example

Example HIRA – Chemical Warehouse

Activity

Situation

Hazard

Risk / Consequence

Existing Controls

Severity

Likelihood

Additional Controls

Responsible Person

Status

HIRA Example – Manual Handling

Activity

Hazard

Consequence

Existing Controls

Additional Controls

HIRA Example – Fire

Activity

Hazard

Consequence

Existing Controls

Additional Controls

HIRA Example – Forklift / Vehicle Movement

Activity

Hazard

Consequence

Existing Controls

Additional Controls

HIRA Example – Electrical Hazard

Activity

Hazard

Consequence

Existing Controls