Why Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment Matters
In high-risk industries, safety doesn’t begin with permits, procedures, or training—it begins with awareness. Knowing what could go wrong, and understanding how likely and severe those consequences might be, is the foundation of every effective safety system. That’s why hazard identification & risk assessment is not just a procedural requirement—it’s a critical safety function.
Whether you’re overseeing a shutdown, managing contractors, or maintaining complex equipment, the first question should always be: What are the hazards, and how do we control the risk? Hazard identification is the process of recognising anything in the workplace—conditions, behaviours, or materials—that could cause harm. Risk assessment then quantifies those hazards based on likelihood and consequence, guiding teams toward the most effective control measures.
Done well, these processes reduce workplace hazards, improve operational decision-making, and create a safer, more predictable environment. Done poorly—or ignored altogether—they leave teams exposed to unnecessary danger, regulatory penalties, and operational disruptions.
This guide walks through how to conduct hazard identification and risk assessment effectively, clarifies key safety concepts, and outlines best practices to support a safer, smarter workplace.
Step-by-Step: How to Do a Risk Assessment
A strong risk assessment process helps you see potential danger before it becomes a problem. Whether you’re planning routine maintenance or managing high-risk work, this step-by-step approach ensures hazards are identified, assessed, and controlled systematically.
Step 1: Identify Hazards
Decide on the scope of the risk assessment. Is it for a single job, or for multiple jobs? Is it at a point in time, or intended to assess permanent hazards that are part of the process? Is it part of a job risk assessment or part of the permit creation process? Start by identifying anything that could cause injury, illness, or harm within the scope of the assessment. This includes both obvious and hidden dangers. Hazards may be:
- Physical (e.g., noise, heat, machinery, slips)
- Chemical (e.g., vapours, solvents, cleaning agents)
- Biological (e.g., viruses, moulds, bloodborne pathogens)
- Ergonomic (e.g., repetitive motion, poor workstation design)
- Psychosocial (e.g., fatigue, stress, aggression)
- Environmental (e.g., natural disasters, remote work conditions)
Inspect the work site. Depending on the scope of the assessment you may need to consult past incident reports. Talk to frontline workers. Engage subject matter experts. The goal is to be clear and focused when identifying hazards in the workplace.
Step 2: Assess the Risks
Once hazards are identified, consider what may happen. Evaluate each potential event related to the hazard based on:
- Likelihood – How likely is it to happen?
- Consequence – If it happens, how severe will the outcome be?
Multiply these two factors to broadly classify the level of risk (low, medium, high, or critical). This step helps visualise which hazards are going to require additional control measures and which hazards can be controlled with existing site safety measures.
Risk is best understood as a combination of the likelihood of an unexpected event and the consequences should the event take place.
Step 3: Control the Risks
Now that risks are prioritised, apply the hierarchy of controls to address each one:
- Elimination – Remove the hazard entirely
- Substitution – Replace it with something safer
- Engineering Controls – Isolate people from the hazard
- Administrative Controls – Change how people work (e.g., shift scheduling, training)
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Last line of defence
Aim for the highest level of protection that is reasonably practicable. Don’t default to PPE if more effective controls are available.
Step 4: Review and Monitor
Risk management is not a one-time task. Set a schedule to review control measures, especially when:
- There’s been an incident or near miss
- Equipment or procedures change
- Workers raise new safety concerns
- New hazards are introduced
Monitoring ensures controls remain effective, relevant, and understood. Regular reviews also build a culture of continuous improvement—where safety is proactive, not reactive.
By following this step-by-step approach, you build a structured, defensible process to manage risks and reduce the chance of injury or loss on site.
Types of Hazards and Examples in the Workplace
Identifying hazards effectively starts with understanding the types of hazards that exist. A hazard is any source of potential harm, while workplace hazards are specific threats to the safety and health of employees during the course of their duties.
Here are the most common categories of hazards you’ll encounter, along with real-world examples to help bring clarity:
1. Physical Hazards
These are environmental factors that can cause harm without necessarily touching a person.
- Examples: slippery floors, noise, radiation, unguarded machinery, electrical hazards, and extreme temperatures.
- Risk: Falls, hearing damage, or physical injury.
2. Chemical Hazards
Hazards posed by substances that can cause harm upon contact, inhalation, or ingestion.
- Examples: solvents, pesticides, cleaning agents, welding fumes, and flammable liquids.
- Risk: Burns, respiratory issues, poisoning, or long-term health effects.
3. Biological Hazards
Caused by exposure to harmful organisms.
- Examples: bacteria, viruses, fungi, or biological waste.
- Risk: Infections, allergic reactions, or disease outbreaks.
4. Ergonomic Hazards
Arise from physical factors that can cause musculoskeletal strain due to poor work design.
- Examples: repetitive motions, poor posture, improper lifting techniques, or non-adjustable workstations.
- Risk: Long-term injury, fatigue, or chronic pain.
5. Psychosocial Hazards
These relate to the psychological and social conditions that impact a worker’s mental health.
- Examples: long hours, high job demands, workplace harassment, isolation, or lack of support.
- Risk: Stress, burnout, depression, and reduced performance.
6. Environmental and Natural Hazards
Conditions in the external environment that may pose risk to workers.
- Examples: earthquakes, floods, bushfires, or extreme weather during fieldwork.
- Risk: Injury, disruption to operations, or emergency evacuation.
Recognising these hazard types helps safety leaders and frontline workers more accurately identify hazards during inspections, risk assessments, and day-to-day operations. By understanding the different types of hazards and the types of risk they can create, organisations can take a more structured and proactive approach to controlling danger in the workplace.
Best Practices for Managing Health and Safety Risks
Here are key best practices to strengthen your hazard identification & risk assessment process:
1. Integrate Risk Assessments into Workflows
Rather than treating risk assessments as standalone documents, embed them into your operational processes—especially where high-risk work is involved. Link them to permit-to-work systems, standard operating procedures, and contractor onboarding. This ensures risk controls are not only defined but followed at the point of execution.
2. Use Real-Time and Historical Data
Support your assessments with evidence. Use incident reports, near-miss data, safety observations, and equipment history to inform the risk assessment process. The more data you apply, the more accurate your assessments become—and the more relevant your controls will be.
3. Involve the Right People
Hazard identification is a team effort. Involve frontline workers, supervisors, and safety representatives in the process. Those closest to the work often have the most insight into potential risks and practical control measures. Their input improves accuracy and drives engagement.
4. Apply the Hierarchy of Controls Consistently
When it comes to reducing the level of risk, the hierarchy of controls is non-negotiable. Always aim to:
- Eliminate hazards where possible
- Substitute with safer alternatives
- Introduce engineering controls
- Strengthen administrative controls
- Use PPE as a last resort—not a first choice
This structured approach ensures that risks are not merely shifted, but genuinely reduced.
5. Make It Easy to Access and Update
Risk assessments should be living documents, not paperwork that gathers dust. Store them in a digital system that allows easy access, version control, and updates. Mobile access is especially valuable for fieldwork, inspections, and maintenance tasks.
6. Review Regularly—and When Things Change
Always review your risk assessments:
- After incidents or near misses
- When introducing new equipment, materials, or procedures
- When jobs are modified or relocated
- On a routine cycle (e.g., annually or per shutdown)
This habit supports a risk management process that adapts to changing conditions and keeps your controls relevant.
By following these best practices, organisations move beyond compliance and towards proactive, integrated safety management—where risk is continuously assessed, controlled, and communicated.
Build a Safer Workplace from the Ground Up
Hazard identification & risk assessment is not just the first step in managing workplace safety—it’s the foundation that everything else is built upon. From daily operations to major shutdowns, the ability to identify hazards, assess risks, and implement the right controls is what separates reactive safety cultures from proactive, resilient ones.
Whether you’re aiming to reduce health and safety risks, comply with regulations, or simply create a safer environment for your team, the strength of your risk management process matters. And that strength begins with clarity, consistency, and integration.
If your current system makes hazard identification feel like a tick-box exercise—or if you’re struggling to connect assessments with permits, training, and task execution—it might be time to rethink your approach.
Download the Practical Guide to Selecting Safety Software
This free guide helps safety leaders evaluate and choose digital tools that support effective, embedded risk management—without adding administrative complexity.
If you’re ready to see how integrated safety software can improve the way your team manages risk, book a demo of IntelliPERMIT and discover how it supports smarter hazard identification, dynamic risk assessment, and real-time control validation. Safety starts with awareness. But it’s systems and decisions that turn awareness into action.
