Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) is a structured process used to keep workplaces safe. HIRA isn’t just best practice; it’s a legal requirement and a foundational part of every effective occupational health and safety program. As part of your Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) management system, it can help proactively prevent injuries and illnesses, support training, inspections, and safe work procedures, and reduce liability while enhancing employer due diligence.
There’s a lot to consider when creating your organization’s HIRA process. Check out our templates and resources, created with social service workers in mind, to help your process.
Program Builder: Workplace Inspections Course
Program Builder: WorkSafeBC Basics of Risk Management
Program Builder: WorkSafeBC Managing Risks
Program Builder: WorkSafeBC Creating a Risk Inventory
WorkSafeBC Requirements
There is a general risk assessment requirement in the Workers Compensation Act and there are what we call technical risk assessments requirements in various sections of the WorkSafeBC Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Regulation that require employers to analyze the hazards and risks in more depth. For example, violence, ergonomics, working alone, these are example of hazards that have specific risk assessments requirements in the Regulation.
In addition, certain technical risk assessment such as for confined spaces or asbestos must be done by a qualified safety professional.
Learn more:
- Worker’s Compensation Act – General Duties of Employers Part 2 Div 4 Section 21 (b) (i)
- WorkSafeBC’s OHS Regulation – Section 4.28 Violence Risk Assessment
- WorkSafeBC’s OHS Regulation – Section 4.48 Ergonomics Risk Assessment
- WorkSafeBC’s OHS Regulation -Section 4.20.2 Working Alone Hazard Identification, Elimination and Control
Risk Assessment are a proactive way of managing health and safety in an organization. Learn more about Violence Risk Assessments by taking our self-paced online course.
What Employers Need to Know
Policies and Procedures
- Organizations can build a proactive safety culture to reduce incidents, support worker well-being, and comply with WorkSafeBC’s Occupational Health and Safety Regulations by embedding HIRA into daily work routines.
- Risk Assessment processes help employers and workers to:
- Identify hazards: Anything with the potential to cause harm. Common hazard types include:
- Physical (noise, heat/cold, lifting equipment)
- Chemical (cleaning solutions, solvents, fumes)
- Biological (mold, viruses, beg bugs)
- Ergonomic (repetitive motion, poor posture)
- Psychosocial (stress, violence, harassment)
- Assess risks: Determine the likelihood of harm and the severity of its consequences. Risk assessment tools can be used to evaluate:
- Likelihood of the hazard causing harm
- Potential severity of the harm
- Who is exposed and how often
- Elimination (most effective)
- Substitution
- Engineering controls
- Administrative controls
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
- Identify hazards: Anything with the potential to cause harm. Common hazard types include:
- This process is part of a broader risk management approach to:
- Continuously monitor the workplace for hazards.
- Involve workers in identifying and reporting risks.
- Apply controls and adjust them as needed.
- Communicate clearly to ensure everyone understands the risks and how they’re being managed.
- Identified hazards and implemented control measures should be communicated to all staff.
Review and Updates
- Review and update HIRA documentation after incidents, inspections, changes to equipment or staffing, or process changes. Annual reviews should also be conducted.
- Develop HIRA processes with input from workers and the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC).
Best Practices
Plan Early and Often
- Use a risk matrix to assess the likelihood of an incident and the potential consequences. This helps prioritize action.
- Look beyond physical hazards. Consider biological, chemical, ergonomic, psychosocial, and workplace violence risks.
Engage Your Team
- Engage frontline workers, supervisors, and the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee (JOHSC) in identifying hazards and assessing risks. Their insights reflect real working conditions.
- Make sure all workers understand the hazards in their work and the steps in place to protect them. Use signage, meetings, and training as needed.
- Build hazard identification into onboarding and ongoing safety training to create a proactive safety culture.
Be Consistent
- Apply a standardized HIRA form or checklist to ensure consistency and thoroughness across tasks, departments, and locations.
- Keep clear records of identified hazards, risk ratings, and chosen control measures. This supports due diligence and legal compliance.
- Integrate risk assessment into the planning stages of new tasks, equipment purchases, or worksite changes to prevent issues before they occur.
Disclaimer: This resource is intended to help community social service organizations understand the requirements of different aspects developing of health and safety programs. It provides information on key concepts and directs users to relevant resources. The content above is not a substitute for professional legal advice. Please refer to the included links or consult official legislation and resources for current and accurate information.