HAZARDIDENTIFICATION ANDRISKASSESSMENT (HIRA) review and continuous improvement of the hira process are essential to

maintaining safety standards.

A systematic process used in safety engineering to identify potential
hazards, evaluate associated risks, and implement control measures to
mitigate or eliminate risks. It is a critical step in ensuring workplace
safety, preventing accidents, and complying with regulatory
requirements.

HAZARD IDENTIFICATION

Hazards are identified through various methods, including:

 WORKPLACE INSPECTIONS
 JOB SAFETY ANALYSIS
 HISTORICAL DATA
 EMPLOYEE FEEDBACK
 CHECKLISTS AND STANDARDS
 RISK ASSESSMENT

Risk assessment involves evaluating the likelihood and consequences of

identified hazards. Work Safety and Occupational Health

KEY STEPS INCLUDE: What is occupational health and safety?

 RISK MATRIX: a tool to categorize risks based on severity and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) deals with all aspects of health
likelihood. and safety in the workplace and has a strong focus on primary
 QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS: using numerical data to estimate prevention of hazards. Its goal is to prevent accidents and harm to
risk levels. people from work-related activities.
 QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS: expert judgment and descriptive
COMMON WORKPLACE HAZARDS
scales to assess risks.
 Work Safety Hazards - Spills, heights machinery, electrical,
RISK EVALUATION CRITERIA
confined space
 SEVERITY - impact of the hazard  Biological Hazards - Blood, bacteria, insects, animal waste
 LIKELIHOOD - probability of the hazard occurring  Chemical Hazards - Fumes, liquids, gases, pesticides,
 EXPOSURE - frequency and duration of exposure to the flammables
hazard.  Ergonomic Hazards - Lifting, workstation, poor posture, RSI
 Work Organization Hazards - Stress, harassment, bullying,
RISK CONTROL MEASURES violence, flexibility
 Physical Hazards - Radiation, UV, extreme temperature, loud
Based on the risk assessment, control measures are implemented to noise
reduce risks to acceptable levels. The hierarchy of controls includes:
Here are the six hazard types recognized by OSHA:
 Elimination
 Substitution  Work safety hazards are the most common risks in a
 Engineering controls workplace or work environment.
 Administrative controls  Biological hazards are safety concerns associated with working
 Personal protective equipment (PPE) with animals, people, or infectious plant materials.
 Chemical hazards occur when a professional is exposed to
DOCUMENTATION AND REVIEW chemicals in either solid, liquid, or gas form. This includes
 Maintain detailed records of the Hira process, including those who prepare, ship, manufacture, package, or handle
identified hazards, risk assessments, and control measures. chemical products.
 Regularly review and update the Hira to account for changes in  Ergonomic hazards can occur with physical motion or
processes, equipment, or regulations. repetitive movements that strain your body. Professionals can
 Conduct periodic audits to ensure the effectiveness of control damage muscles, nerves, ligaments, and tendons by
measures. performing the same motion repeatedly. This type of hazard is
the hardest to anticipate since the risk may increase over time
IMPORTANCE OF HIRA IN SAFETY ENGINEERING and use.
 Physical or environmental hazards are risks from within the
 Prevents workplace accidents and injuries. environment that can harm your body without necessarily
 Reduces financial losses due to incidents and downtime. touching it.
 Enhances compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.  Work organization hazards. Professionals can be impacted by
 Promotes a culture of safety and risk awareness. hazards or stressors that cause stress (short-term effects) and
strain (long-term effects). These hazards are associated with
CONCLUSION
workplace issues such as workload, lack of control, negative
Hazard identification and risk assessment is a fundamental component culture, discrimination and more.
of safety engineering. By systematically identifying hazards, assessing
risks, and implementing control measures, organizations can create safer
work environments and protect both employees and assets. Regular

SAFETY MEASURES
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): The CDC
focuses on public health, including occupational health and
PPE, such as gloves, safety glasses, hard hats, and respirators, is used to safety, and provides guidance on preventing workplace
protect workers from hazards when engineering and administrative illnesses and injuries.
controls are not enough to eliminate or reduce the risk.  Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA): MSHA
regulates safety and health in coal and metal/nonmetal mines.
Proper Equipment Usage:
 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Train employees on how to use equipment safely and ensure that (NIOSH): NIOSH conducts research on workplace safety and
equipment is properly maintained and inspected. health issues and makes recommendations to OSHA.
 Food and Drug Administration (FDA): The FDA regulates food,
Lockout/Tagout: drugs, and medical devices, which can have safety implications
for workers in those industries.
Implement lockout/tagout procedures to ensure that equipment is  Department of Transportation (DOT): DOT regulates
safely shut down and secured before maintenance or repair work is transportation safety, including for workers in the
performed. transportation industry.
Respiratory Protection: Safety Culture and Behavior-based Safety Program
Provide and ensure the proper use of respiratory protection equipment Safety Culture - A safety culture refers to the shared values, beliefs,
when employees are exposed to airborne hazards. attitudes, and behaviors regarding workplace safety within an
Hazard Assessment: organization. A strong safety culture ensures that safety is prioritized at
all levels—leadership, management, and workers.
Conduct regular hazard assessments to identify potential risks and
implement control measures to reduce or eliminate them. Key Elements of a Strong Safety Culture:

Encourage Regular Breaks:  Leadership Commitment: Management must demonstrate a

commitment to safety by providing resources, setting clear
Encourage employees to take regular breaks throughout the day to policies, and leading by example.
reduce fatigue and the risk of ergonomic injuries.  Employee Involvement: Workers should actively participate in
safety programs, reporting hazards, and suggesting
ROLE OF OSHA & REGULATORY BODIES improvements.
 Open Communication: A culture of transparency where
OSHA's primary role is to ensure safe and healthy working conditions for
employees feel safe to report hazards and near misses without
employees by setting and enforcing standards, providing training, and
fear of retaliation.
offering assistance, while other regulatory bodies address specific
 Training & Awareness: Continuous education on safety
industries or aspects of safety and health.
protocols, emergency procedures, and best practices.
OSHA's mission is to ensure that employees work in a safe and healthful
Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) Program
environment by setting and enforcing standards, and by providing
training, outreach, education and assistance. A Behavior-Based Safety (BBS) program is a proactive approach that
focuses on identifying and modifying unsafe behaviors to reduce
Roles of OSHA:
workplace accidents. It involves observing employees, providing
 Setting and Enforcing Standards: OSHA establishes regulations feedback, and encouraging safe behaviors.
for various industries and workplaces to address specific
Key Components of a BBS Program:
hazards.
 Inspections: OSHA conducts workplace inspections to ensure 1. Identifying Critical Behaviors: Determining the high-risk
compliance with standards. behaviors that could lead to accidents or injuries.
 Training and Outreach: OSHA provides training and 2. Feedback & Coaching: Providing positive reinforcement for
educational resources to employers and employees on safe behaviors and corrective feedback for risky behaviors.
workplace safety and health. 3. Employee Engagement: Encouraging workers to take
 Whistleblower Protection: OSHA protects employees who ownership of safety by participating in observations,
report safety concerns from retaliation. discussions, and improvements.
 General Duty Clause: Requires employers to provide a 4. Leadership Support: Ensuring management actively supports
workplace free from recognized hazards that are causing or and participates in the BBS program.
likely to cause death or serious physical harm.
 Enforcement: OSHA can issue citations and penalties for non- Linking Safety Culture & BBS
compliance with standards.
A strong safety culture is essential for the success of a BBS program.
Other Regulatory Bodies: Without a positive safety culture, employees may not take BBS seriously,
leading to resistance or superficial compliance. When leadership
 State OSHA Programs: Some states have their own OSHA- supports both initiatives, safety becomes an integral part of daily
approved programs that are at least as effective as the federal operations.
program.
 Industry-Specific Agencies: Certain industries may have their
own regulatory bodies addressing specific safety and health
concerns.
 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The EPA regulates
environmental hazards, including those that can affect worker
health and safety.