What are the steps of hazard identification?
- Define the scope. Pick the area, task, machine or process to look at, and who is exposed to it.
- Gather information. Collect incident and near-miss reports, past inspection findings, safety data sheets, manuals and procedures.
- Look at the work as it is done. Observe the task being performed, including start-up, cleaning, maintenance and non-routine jobs, not only the normal run.
- Ask the people doing the job. Workers know the workarounds, the awkward steps and the near misses that never got reported.
- List every hazard found. Describe the source of harm and how someone could be hurt, in plain words.
- Hand over for risk assessment. Each hazard goes on to be rated and controlled, with an owner and a date.
What methods are used to identify hazards?
| Method | Best for |
|---|---|
| Workplace inspection or walk-through | Physical conditions, housekeeping, guarding, access |
| Job safety analysis (JSA) | Breaking one task into steps and finding the hazard in each |
| Worker consultation and hazard reports | Everyday hazards and near misses seen by frontline teams |
| Incident and near-miss review | Hazards that have already shown they can cause harm |
| Safety data sheets and manuals | Chemical, energy and equipment hazards |
| Process hazard analysis (such as HAZOP) | Complex or high-consequence processes |
How is hazard identification different from risk assessment?
Hazard identification answers "what could hurt someone?" Risk assessment answers "how likely is it, and how badly?" You identify first, then assess, then choose controls using the hierarchy of control. Skipping the first step means the risk assessment only covers hazards someone already thought of.
When should hazards be identified?
Before new work starts, and again when equipment, materials, layout or people change, after any incident or near miss, and on a regular schedule. In Australia, work health and safety laws require a person conducting a business or undertaking to identify hazards and manage the risks, and to consult workers while doing so. Check the requirements of your own state or territory regulator.
Why do identified hazards still cause harm?
Finding a hazard is only useful if it is closed. When findings sit in a spreadsheet or an email, nobody owns them and they reappear at the next audit. Each identified hazard needs a named owner, a control and a due date, and it should stay visible until it is fixed.