What is hazard identification?
Hazard identification is part of the process used to evaluate if any particular situation, item, thing, etc. may have the potential to cause harm. The term often used to describe the full process is risk assessment:
- Identify hazards and risk factors that have the potential to cause harm (hazard identification).
- Analyse and evaluate the risk associated with that hazard (risk analysis, and risk evaluation).
- Determine appropriate ways to eliminate the hazard, or control the risk when the hazard cannot be eliminated (risk control).
- Overall, the goal of hazard identification is to find and record possible hazards that may be present in your workplace. It may help to work as a team and include both people familiar with the work area, as well as people who are not – this way you have both the experienced and fresh eye to conduct the inspection.
What is a hazard?
There are many definitions for hazard but the most common definition when talking about workplace health and safety is “A hazard is any source of potential damage, harm or adverse health effects on something or someone.”
The CSA Z1002 Standard “Occupational health and safety – Hazard identification and elimination and risk assessment and control” uses the following terms:
- Harm – physical injury or damage to health.
- Hazard – a potential source of harm to a worker.
Basically, a hazard is the potential for harm or an adverse effect (for example, to people as health effects, to organisations as property or equipment losses, or to the environment)
What types of hazards are there?
A common way to classify hazards is by category:
- biological – bacteria, viruses, insects, plants, birds, animals, and humans, etc.,
- chemical – depends on the physical, chemical and toxic properties of the chemical,
- ergonomic – repetitive movements, improper set up of workstation, etc.,
- physical – radiation, magnetic fields, temperature extremes, pressure extremes (high pressure or vacuum), noise, etc.,
- psychosocial – stress, violence, etc.,
- safety – slipping/tripping hazards, inappropriate machine guarding, equipment malfunctions or breakdowns.
When should hazard identification be done?
Hazard identification can be done:
- During design and implementation
- Designing a new process or procedure
- Purchasing and installing new machinery
- Before tasks are done
- Checking equipment or following processes
- Reviewing surroundings before each shift
- While tasks are being done
- Be aware of changes, abnormal conditions, or sudden emissions
- During inspections
- Formal, informal, supervisor, health and safety committee
- After incidents
- Near misses or minor events
- Injuries
To be sure that all hazards are found:
- Look at all aspects of the work and include non-routine activities such as maintenance, repair, or cleaning.
- Look at the physical work environment, equipment, materials, products, etc. that are used.
- Include how the tasks are done.
- Look at injury and incident records.
- Talk to the workers: they know their job and its hazards best.
- Include all shifts, and people who work off site either at home, on other job sites, drivers, teleworkers, with clients, etc.
- Look at the way the work is organised or done (include experience of people doing the work, systems being used, etc).
- Look at foreseeable unusual conditions (for example: possible impact on hazard control procedures that may be unavailable in an emergency situation, power outage, etc.).
- Determine whether a product, machine or equipment can be intentionally or unintentionally changed (e.g., a safety guard that could be removed).
- Review all of the phases of the lifecycle.
- Examine risks to visitors or the public.
- Consider the groups of people that may have a different level of risk such as young or inexperienced workers, persons with disabilities, or new or expectant mothers.
How do I know what is a hazard?
Another way to look at health and safety in your workplace is to ask yourself the following questions. These are examples only. During hazard identification, you may find other items or situations that can be a hazard. List any item that should be examined. During the risk assessment process, the level of harm will be assessed.
What materials or equipment could I be struck by?
- moving objects (e.g., forklifts, overhead cranes, vehicles)
- flying objects (e.g., sparks or shards from grinding)
- falling material (e.g., equipment from above)
What materials or situations do I come into contact with? Possibilities could include:
- electricity
- chemicals (liquids, gases, solids, mists, vapours, etc.)
- temperature extremes of heat or cold (e.g., bakeries, foundries, meat processing)
- ionizing/non-ionizing radiation (e.g., x-rays, ultraviolet (sun) rays)
- oxygen deficiency
- water
What could I fall from? (e.g., falls to lower levels)
- objects
- structures
- tanks
- silos
- lofts
- ladders
- overhead walkways
- roofs
- trees
- cliffs
What objects or equipment could I strike or hit my body upon, or that part of my body might be caught in, on, or between?
- stationary or moving objects
- protruding objects
- sharp or jagged edges
- pinch points on machines (places where parts are very close together)
- objects that stick out (protrude)
- moving objects (conveyors, chains, belts, ropes, etc.)
What could I slip or trip on? (e.g., falls on same level)
- obstructions on floor, stairs
- surface issues (wet, oily, icy)
- footwear that is in poor condition
What other situations could I come across?
- unknown/unauthorised people in area
- a potentially violent situation
- working alone
- confined space
- missing/damaged materials
- new equipment/procedure at work site
- fire/explosion
- chemical spill or release
How could I overexert myself?
- lifting
- pulling
- pushing
- carrying
- repetitive motions
What if I am new to the workplace?
If you are new to your workplace, to learn about the hazards of your job, or be efficient on hazard identification you can:
- ask about standard operating procedures and precautions for your job
- ask about operating instructions, safe work procedures, processes, etc.
- ask a member of the health and safety committee or your health and safety representative
- ask your supervisor
- check product labels and safety data sheets
- watch for posters or instructions at the entrance of a chemical storage room to warn of hazardous products
- pay attention to signs and other warnings in your work
Where can I find more information about hazards?
It may be necessary to research about what might be a hazard as well as how much harm that hazard might cause. Sources of information include:
- Information, publications, alerts, etc. as published by reputable organisations, labour unions, or government agencies.
- Test or monitor for exposure (occupational hygiene testing such as chemical or noise exposure).
- Manufacturer’s operating instructions, manuals, etc.
- Experiences of other organisations similar to yours.
- Results of any job safety analysis.
- Trade or safety associations.
- Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).
