2025

HIRARC
HAZARD
IDENTIFICATION,
RISK ASSESSMENT
AND RISK
CONTROL REMY THOMAS
Prepared by :

Empowering Safety Professionals:

Knowledge, Growth, and Leadership / The
Safety Leader’s Mindset
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 Introduction to HIRARC

Workplace safety is a vital part of any organization’s operations. Employers have a

legal and moral responsibility to provide a safe and healthy working environment for their
employees, contractors, and visitors. To achieve this, a structured approach is required to
identify potential hazards, assess associated risks, and implement effective control
measures. This is where HIRARC plays a critical role.

HIRARC stands for Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Risk Control. It is a
systematic process used in occupational health and safety management to recognize
workplace hazards, evaluate the risks these hazards present, and determine appropriate
actions to either eliminate or minimize those risks. HIRARC helps organizations prevent
incidents before they occur by encouraging proactive thinking and planning.

The process begins with identifying anything in the workplace that could cause harm,
such as unsafe equipment, hazardous substances, or unsafe work practices. Once these
hazards are identified, a risk assessment is carried out to understand the likelihood of
an incident happening and the severity of its consequences. Based on this assessment,
risk control measures are selected and implemented to protect workers and reduce
risk to an acceptable level.

Applying HIRARC effectively allows an organization to manage workplace hazards in

a consistent and logical manner. It provides a clear basis for making safety decisions,
developing safe work procedures, and meeting compliance requirements.
Furthermore, it promotes a culture of safety, where everyone—from top management to
front-line workers—shares responsibility for maintaining a safe workplace.

In this document, we will explore the three components of HIRARC in detail and
understand how they contribute to a safer, healthier, and more efficient work
environment.

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀: 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲, 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 REMY THOMAS 1

/ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁
 What is HIRARC?
HIRARC stands for Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Risk Control. It is a process
used to keep the workplace safe by identifying anything that could cause harm, evaluating
how risky it is, and deciding what actions to take to reduce or eliminate the risk.

The goal of HIRARC is to prevent accidents, injuries, and health problems by taking a
proactive approach to safety. It helps employers and workers understand the dangers in
their work environment and apply suitable safety measures to protect everyone involved.

What HIRARC Helps For

HIRARC is a valuable tool in workplace safety management. It helps in the following ways:

 Identifying Potential Hazards: It helps recognize anything in the workplace that

could cause injury, illness, or harm to people, property, or the environment.

 Assessing Risk Levels: It allows the evaluation of how likely an incident is to

happen and how serious the consequences could be.

 Prioritizing Safety Measures: By understanding risk levels, it helps decide which

hazards need to be controlled first.

 Planning Risk Controls: It guides the selection of effective control measures to

eliminate or reduce risks using the hierarchy of controls.

 Improving Workplace Safety: HIRARC creates a safer work environment by

preventing accidents and incidents before they occur.

 Ensuring Legal Compliance: It supports compliance with occupational safety and

health laws and standards.

 Developing Safe Work Procedures: It forms the basis for creating task-specific
safety procedures and training materials.

 Promoting Safety Awareness: HIRARC encourages a culture of safety by involving

workers in identifying and managing risks.

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀: 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲, 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 REMY THOMAS 2

/ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁
 For Whom the Book is Designed
This book is specially designed for a wide range of readers involved in workplace
safety, including:

 Safety Officers and HSE Professionals: To help them apply structured

hazard and risk assessments in the field.

 Supervisors and Managers: To support them in understanding risks in their

departments and enforcing control measures.

 Trainers and Instructors: As a reference material for teaching HIRARC in

safety courses and workshops.

 Engineering and Maintenance Teams: To help identify and control hazards

related to machinery, tools, and systems.

 Students and Learners: Who are studying occupational health and safety
and want to understand practical risk management techniques.

 Workers and Operators: To increase their awareness of hazards in their

daily tasks and encourage them to participate in risk assessments.

This book is written in a simple, practical, and structured way, making it easy to
understand and apply across different industries and work environments.

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀: 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲, 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 REMY THOMAS 3

/ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁
 HIRARC: Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk
Control

Introduction to HIRARC

HIRARC is an essential process used in occupational health and safety to identify workplace
hazards, assess the associated risks, and apply appropriate control measures. The term
“HIRARC” stands for Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment, and Risk Control. It is a step-by-
step method that helps in ensuring that the work environment is as safe as reasonably
practicable for everyone involved.

This process supports proactive safety management by finding possible dangers before
they cause harm. By implementing HIRARC, organizations can significantly reduce
workplace incidents, injuries, and losses while ensuring legal compliance with safety
regulations.

What is HIRARC?

HIRARC stands for:

 Hazard Identification

 Risk Assessment

 Risk Control

It is a method used to improve safety at the workplace. This process helps us to:

1. Find out what can go wrong (hazards)

2. Understand how likely and how serious the problem could be (risks)

3. Decide on the best way to fix or control the problem (risk controls)

Using HIRARC makes the workplace safer for everyone by stopping accidents before they
happen.

Hazard Identification

The first step in the HIRARC process is identifying hazards. A hazard is anything that has the
potential to cause harm to people, property, or the environment. Hazards can exist in

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀: 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲, 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 REMY THOMAS 4

/ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁
 many forms and in all types of workplaces. For example, a sharp tool, a chemical
substance, a wet floor, or even a high-pressure gas cylinder are all considered hazards if
they have the ability to cause injury, illness, or damage.

To identify hazards effectively, a careful examination of the workplace is necessary. This

includes observing the actual tasks being performed, inspecting machinery and equipment,
reviewing safety data sheets for chemicals, and talking to employees about the challenges
and risks they face in their daily tasks. Incident reports and near-miss records are also
useful sources of information during hazard identification.

It is important to consider different categories of hazards, such as physical, chemical,

biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial. Each type can affect workers in different ways, so
a complete assessment must be carried out to recognize all possible sources of danger.

What is a hazard?

A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause:

 An injury

 An illness

 Property damage

 Environmental harm

Examples of hazards:

 Physical hazards: Sharp tools, falling objects, slippery floors, noise, hot surfaces

 Chemical hazards: Fumes, gases, acids, solvents

 Biological hazards: Bacteria, viruses, mold

 Ergonomic hazards: Poor posture, heavy lifting, repetitive tasks

 Psychosocial hazards: Stress, bullying, long working hours

How do we identify hazards?

We can identify hazards by:

 Walking through the site and doing a safety inspection

 Watching workers as they perform tasks (job observation)

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀: 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲, 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 REMY THOMAS 5

/ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁
  Reading reports of past accidents or near-misses

 Reviewing Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for chemicals

 Talking to employees and getting their feedback

 Using checklists or Job Safety Analysis (JSA) tools

Risk Assessment

Once hazards have been identified, the next step is to assess the risk associated with each
hazard. Risk is defined as the combination of the likelihood of an event occurring and the
severity of its consequences. The goal of risk assessment is to understand how likely it is
that a hazard will cause harm, and how serious that harm could be if it happens.

This step involves careful judgment. The assessor needs to consider how often workers are
exposed to the hazard, how many people are at risk, what type of injuries or illnesses could
result, and whether there are any existing control measures already in place. A commonly
used method for evaluating risk is the risk matrix, which assigns levels such as low,
medium, high, or critical depending on the likelihood and severity.

For instance, a small electrical shock from a faulty plug may be considered a low-risk event
if it is unlikely to occur and causes only minor discomfort. On the other hand, working at
height without proper safety measures could be rated as high or critical risk, due to the
potential for a serious or fatal fall. The results of the risk assessment help determine which
hazards need urgent attention and what kind of safety actions should be taken.

What is risk?

Risk is the chance (or likelihood) that a person could be harmed, and how bad the result
(or consequence) would be.

We assess risk by looking at:

 Likelihood: How likely is it that an accident will happen? (e.g., Rare, Possible, Likely)

 Severity: If it does happen, how bad will it be? (e.g., Minor injury, Major injury,
Fatality)

We usually use a Risk Matrix to decide the Risk Level:

 Low risk: The hazard is not very likely to cause harm, and any harm would be minor

 Medium risk: There is a chance of injury, and it might be serious

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀: 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲, 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 REMY THOMAS 6

/ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁
  High risk: Injury is likely, and it could be serious or permanent

 Critical risk: Very high chance of severe injury or death

By using the risk matrix, we decide which risks need to be fixed first.

Risk Control

After understanding the risk level of each hazard, the final step is to control the risk. This
involves taking action to eliminate the hazard completely, or if that is not possible, to
reduce the risk to a level that is acceptable. The process of controlling risks should follow
the hierarchy of controls, a method that ranks control measures from most effective to
least effective.

The most effective control is elimination, which involves completely removing the hazard
from the workplace. For example, if a chemical used in cleaning is too hazardous, switching
to a safer product eliminates the original risk. If elimination is not feasible, substitution is
the next preferred control, where the hazard is replaced with something less dangerous.

Engineering controls come next and involve making physical changes to the workplace or
equipment to reduce risk. Installing machine guards, adding ventilation systems, or
isolating noisy machinery are examples of engineering controls. Administrative controls
focus on changing the way people work by introducing safe procedures, safety signs, work
schedules, and training.

If risks still remain after all these controls, personal protective equipment (PPE) must be
provided as the last line of defense. Items like helmets, gloves, masks, and safety shoes
help protect workers from residual risks that cannot be eliminated by other means.

How do we control risks?

We follow something called the Hierarchy of Controls – this means we try the most
effective safety methods first.

The 5 Levels of Control (from best to least effective):

1. Elimination – Remove the hazard completely

Example: If a task is too dangerous, can we stop doing it entirely?

2. Substitution – Replace the hazard with something safer

Example: Use a non-toxic cleaning chemical instead of a harmful one.

3. Engineering Controls – Use equipment to protect people

Example: Install machine guards, safety barriers, or ventilation systems.

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀: 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲, 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 REMY THOMAS 7

/ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁
 4. Administrative Controls – Change how people work
Example: Give training, add warning signs, or rotate shifts to reduce fatigue.

5. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Provide safety gear

Example: Helmets, gloves, goggles, safety shoes. This is used when other controls are not
enough.

Note: PPE should always be the last option, not the first. It protects the worker but does
not remove the hazard.

Importance of HIRARC

The HIRARC process is a key part of a strong safety management system. By applying
HIRARC, organizations are able to prevent accidents before they occur, protect workers’
health, and avoid disruptions to business operations. It also helps businesses meet their
legal obligations under workplace safety laws and improves overall employee morale by
showing a commitment to their well-being.

HIRARC encourages a proactive safety culture, where risks are managed through careful
planning and involvement of all employees. It also assists safety officers, supervisors, and
managers in developing and reviewing safe work procedures, conducting toolbox talks, and
organizing job safety briefings. Documentation produced during the HIRARC process
provides a clear record of safety efforts and can be used during audits or investigations.

In summary, HIRARC is a simple yet powerful tool that plays a vital role in maintaining a
safe and healthy workplace. When used correctly, it leads to better safety outcomes, fewer
injuries, and greater efficiency across all industries.

Why is HIRARC Important?

 It helps us to prevent injuries, illnesses, and damage before they happen

 It supports legal compliance with health and safety regulations

 It helps create a safe working culture where workers are aware of risks

 It provides clear and organized documentation for safety management

 It helps supervisors and workers work together to create a safe

environment

 It supports the development of Safe Work Procedures (SWP) and training

programs

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀: 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲, 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 REMY THOMAS 8

/ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁
 Conclusion
In today’s working environments, where various hazards exist across different industries,
having a structured and proactive safety approach is essential. HIRARC – Hazard
Identification, Risk Assessment, and Risk Control – offers a practical and effective
method for managing workplace hazards and reducing the likelihood of accidents and
health-related incidents.

Through this process, organizations are able to recognize potential sources of harm,
evaluate how serious the risks are, and implement control measures that can either
eliminate the hazard or reduce the risk to an acceptable level. HIRARC not only supports
legal compliance and meets regulatory standards, but it also plays a vital role in
creating a culture of safety, responsibility, and awareness among all workers.

This book has been carefully designed for safety officers, supervisors, workers,
trainers, and students who are either responsible for workplace safety or are learning
about it. The content aims to build practical understanding and encourage the
application of HIRARC principles in real-world scenarios. By consistently applying the
steps of HIRARC in daily operations, workplaces can become safer, more efficient, and
better prepared to prevent unwanted incidents.

In conclusion, the successful implementation of HIRARC is not just the responsibility of one
person or department—it requires active participation from everyone. When safety
becomes a shared goal, the result is a healthier workforce, fewer disruptions, and a
stronger, more sustainable organization.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽: https://chat.whatsapp.com/BRZZVovwgFu9GcE5OQyBOo
𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗲𝗱𝗜𝗻: www.linkedin.com/in/remy-thomas-60926a123

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝘀: 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲, 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 REMY THOMAS 9

/ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁