HIRA HSE Training (Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment)
Slide 1: Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) – HSE Training
Presented by: HSE STUDY GUIDE
Date: 26/04/2025
Good morning team!
I hope you’re all doing well today.
Today’s session is one of the foundations of workplace safety — Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment, or HIRA.
Before we can control any danger on site, we need to first recognize it, assess it, and act on it. That’s exactly what HIRA helps us do.
Let’s get started and strengthen our safety mindset.
Slide 2: Objectives of Today’s Training
By the end of this session, you’ll understand:
- What is Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA)
- Why HIRA is critical for safety
- The steps to conduct effective HIRA
- Examples of hazards and risk assessments
- Your role in daily hazard recognition
Slide 3: What is a Hazard?
A hazard is anything with the potential to cause:
- Injury
- Illness
- Property damage
- Environmental harm
If something can hurt you, your coworkers, or the environment — it’s a hazard.
Identifying hazards early prevents accidents later.
Slide 4: What is Risk?
Risk is the chance or probability that a hazard will actually cause harm.
Risk depends on two things:
- Likelihood: How likely is it to happen?
- Severity: How bad will the outcome be if it happens?
High risk = High likelihood + Severe consequences.
Our job is to reduce risk to the lowest level possible.
Slide 5: What is HIRA?
HIRA stands for:
- Hazard Identification: Spotting things that could cause harm
- Risk Assessment: Judging how serious the risk is
- Risk Control: Taking steps to eliminate or minimize the risk
HIRA is proactive — we act before an incident happens, not after.
Slide 6: Types of Hazards
Common types of hazards you might encounter:
- Physical hazards (noise, heat, vibration, radiation)
- Chemical hazards (gases, vapors, acids)
- Biological hazards (bacteria, viruses, insects)
- Ergonomic hazards (poor posture, repetitive movement)
- Psychosocial hazards (stress, violence, harassment)
- Mechanical hazards (unguarded machines, moving parts)
Always keep your eyes open — hazards are everywhere.
Slide 7: Steps of Hazard Identification
When identifying hazards:
- Observe the task carefully
- Think about what could go wrong
- Consider different types of hazards
- Involve experienced workers
- Look at past incident reports
- Use checklists if available
Remember: If you can think of it, you can prevent it.
Slide 8: Steps of Risk Assessment
Once hazards are identified:
- Analyze the hazard: What harm could it cause?
- Evaluate risk level: High, Medium, or Low
- Prioritize actions: Focus on the highest risks first
- Decide on controls: How can we reduce the risk?
Always use a structured approach — don’t rely on guesses.
Slide 9: Risk Matrix Example
| Severity \ Likelihood | Rare | Unlikely | Possible | Likely | Almost Certain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minor Injury | Low | Low | Medium | Medium | High |
| Serious Injury | Low | Medium | High | High | High |
| Fatality | Medium | High | High | Extreme | Extreme |
A Risk Matrix helps visualize risk — and decide where to focus safety efforts.
Slide 10: Example – Identifying and Assessing a Hazard
Task: Welding inside a confined space.
Hazards:
- Toxic gas inhalation
- Fire
- Oxygen deficiency
Risk Level: High
Controls:
- Gas monitoring
- Ventilation
- Hot work permit
- Fire watch standby
Real-world tasks need real-world assessments.
Slide 11: Hierarchy of Risk Controls
When controlling risk, always follow the hierarchy:
- Elimination – Remove the hazard completely
- Substitution – Replace the hazard with something safer
- Engineering Controls – Isolate people from the hazard
- Administrative Controls – Change the way people work
- PPE – Last line of defense, not the first
Best to worst — always aim for elimination if possible.
Slide 12: Your Role in HIRA
Everyone has a part to play:
- Always identify hazards before starting a task
- Speak up if you notice a new hazard
- Participate in toolbox talks and risk assessments
- Suggest improvements for better safety
- Report near-misses — they are learning opportunities
Safety is a team sport, not a solo act.
Slide 13: Common Mistakes in HIRA
Beware of these pitfalls:
- Ignoring “small” hazards
- Rushing through assessments
- Copy-pasting old HIRAs without updates
- Not consulting the team
- Underestimating rare but severe risks
Stay sharp — half-done HIRA is no better than no HIRA.
Slide 14: Real-Life Incident
At a construction site, workers entered a trench without identifying hazards properly. The walls collapsed, resulting in serious injuries.
Investigation showed no proper hazard identification or risk assessment was conducted.
Lesson learned: Even routine jobs need HIRA — hazards don’t announce themselves.
Slide 15: Final Safety Reminders
- Always take hazard identification seriously
- Regularly review and update risk assessments
- Choose the best possible control measures
- Protect yourself, your coworkers, and the environment
Every hazard we identify today prevents an accident tomorrow.
Slide 16: Questions and Discussion
Any questions about hazard identification, risk assessment, or real-world challenges you’ve faced?
Let’s hear your experiences and learn from each other!
Slide 17: Thank You
Thank you, team, for your great attention and participation today.
Remember, HIRA is not just paperwork — it’s a lifesaving habit.
Let’s keep our workplaces safe by thinking ahead, acting smart, and staying alert.
Follow HSE STUDY GUIDE for more safety tips and daily updates!
Stay safe, stay strong!
Lockout and Tagout Procedure HSE Training
