HIRA in Safety —
Hazard Identification
& Risk Assessment
HIRA stands for Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment — the systematic process of identifying workplace hazards, evaluating the level of risk each presents, and determining the controls needed to reduce that risk to an acceptable level. It is the foundation of every effective safety management system, and a core requirement of ISO 45001. Consultivo conducts professional HIRA studies for all industries across India.
What is HIRA in safety — and why does it matter?
In occupational health and safety, HIRA (Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment) is the cornerstone activity of any safety management system. Before you can control a risk, you have to know it exists. Before you know it exists, you have to systematically look for it.
HIRA is not a one-time exercise. It is an ongoing, structured programme — conducted when activities, processes, or workplaces change; when incidents occur; when new equipment is introduced; and on a regular review cycle. ISO 45001 clause 6.1.2 makes HIRA a mandatory requirement for all organisations implementing an OHS management system.
The output of a well-conducted HIRA is a HIRA register — a living document listing every identified hazard, its risk rating, and the controls required. This register then drives Safe Work Procedures (SWPs), emergency preparedness plans, training needs, and management programmes.
HIRA formula: Risk = Likelihood × Severity · This is the standard 5×5 risk matrix used in industry HIRA studies
What are the 4 steps of HIRA in safety?
Every HIRA — regardless of the industry, the tool used, or the level of complexity — follows the same four-step logic. Understanding these steps is the foundation of using HIRA effectively as a safety management tool.
Hazard Identification
Systematically identify every source of potential harm — physical hazards (machinery, heights, electricity), chemical hazards (toxic substances, flammable materials), biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial hazards across every activity, area, and operation.
This is the most critical step. A hazard that is not identified cannot be controlled. Consultivo's approach uses structured hazard identification techniques including walkthrough surveys, task analysis, incident history review, and cross-functional team workshops.
Risk Evaluation
For each identified hazard, assess the likelihood of it causing harm and the severity of that harm. Multiply the two scores using the risk matrix to produce a Risk Rating: Low, Medium, High, or Extreme.
This step determines which hazards need the most urgent attention and what level of control is appropriate. Not all hazards carry equal risk — risk evaluation ensures resources are directed proportionately.
Control Identification
Determine the most appropriate control measure for each risk, following the Hierarchy of Controls: Elimination → Substitution → Engineering Controls → Administrative Controls → PPE. Higher-order controls are always preferred — PPE is the last resort, not the first response.
Controls are categorised into Management Programmes (systemic), Safe Work Procedures (task-level), and Emergency Preparedness Plans (incident response). Each control is assigned a responsible person, a completion date, and a verification method.
Implementation & Review
Implement the identified controls — develop SWPs for task-level risks, update engineering designs, revise procedures, communicate to the workforce, and train relevant personnel. Then review the HIRA regularly and whenever conditions change.
An unreviewed HIRA becomes a liability, not an asset. ISO 45001 requires that HIRA is reviewed when changes occur, after incidents, and on a defined periodic basis. Consultivo's Safety Shield programme can provide ongoing implementation support.
The Hierarchy of Controls — how HIRA determines the right control
Once a risk is rated through HIRA, the control measure is not chosen arbitrarily. It is selected by working down the Hierarchy of Controls — from the most effective (elimination) to the least effective (PPE). ISO 45001 and ISO 31000 both require this hierarchical approach.
A common failure in HIRA studies is jumping straight to PPE because it is cheap and quick. Consultivo's HIRA studies always explore higher-order controls first — and document the justification when a lower-order control is selected.
See Consultivo's HIRA ServiceSWPs (Safe Work Procedures) sit at Level 4 — Administrative Controls — and are a direct output of the HIRA process
How Consultivo conducts your HIRA study
Consultivo provides end-to-end HIRA facilitation — from methodology selection and team formation through onsite hazard identification, risk evaluation, control planning, and HIRA register development. The entire process is aligned with ISO 45001 Clause 6.1.2 and ISO 31000.
Crucially, Consultivo brings independent, unbiased expertise. Internal teams are often too familiar with their own workplace to see hazards clearly — the "we've always done it this way" effect. Our experienced safety professionals identify hazards that internal teams regularly miss, and challenge assumptions that have become normalised.
Cross-functional team formation & facilitation
We help you form the right HIRA team — workers, supervisors, maintenance, EHS, and management — and facilitate the sessions so all voices are heard and all hazards are surfaced
Onsite hazard identification — structured & systematic
Walk-through surveys, task observations, incident history review, and structured checklists — using techniques appropriate to your industry and hazard profile
Risk evaluation & HIRA register development
Risk scoring using the 5×5 matrix (Likelihood × Severity), risk categorisation, and production of a complete HIRA register — the primary output document of the study
Control plan — Management Programmes, SWPs & Emergency Plans
For each significant risk: identify the control type (management programme, safe work procedure, or emergency preparedness), assign responsibility, and set completion timelines
What makes Consultivo's HIRA service different
Practical & operational
Our HIRA studies are conducted by safety professionals with real industry experience — not desk-based consultants. We understand how work actually happens, not just how it is supposed to happen on paper.
Skilled & independent
Experienced OHS professionals with cross-industry exposure. Independent and unbiased — no commercial interest in any specific control measure or equipment. No conflicts with your maintenance, procurement, or operations teams.
ISO 45001 & ISO 31000 aligned
The entire HIRA process is structured to meet ISO 45001 Clause 6.1.2 requirements. The risk evaluation methodology is aligned with ISO 31000. Your HIRA register is audit-ready and certification-compatible.
Customisable for your context
Risk matrix calibrated to your industry and hazard profile. HIRA format adapted to your existing safety management system. Team size and engagement model scaled to your organisation.
Actionable outputs
The HIRA register is not a report to file — it is a live action plan. Every identified risk has a control, an owner, and a deadline. We ensure the output is something your team can actually implement.
Extensible service
The HIRA study can be extended into SWP development for high-risk activities and/or emergency preparedness planning — providing a complete risk management system from a single engagement.
HIRA is the start. These services complete the picture.
A HIRA study produces a risk register and a control plan. The control plan typically requires SWPs, an emergency preparedness plan, and ongoing safety consulting support to implement. Consultivo provides all of them.
HIRA — Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment
This page — conduct a professional HIRA study, produce a risk-rated hazard register, and identify the controls needed across your organisation or specific activities.
You are hereSafe Work Procedures (SWPs) Development
SWPs are the administrative controls identified in your HIRA. Consultivo develops risk-based SWPs for every high-risk activity identified in the HIRA register — the direct operational output of the assessment.
Safety Standards & SWP pageEmergency Response & Disaster Management Plan
HIRA identifies scenarios requiring emergency preparedness — fires, chemical releases, explosions, structural failures. Consultivo develops emergency response and disaster management plans from HIRA findings.
ERDMP pageSafety Consulting & Safety Shield™
HIRA gives you the roadmap. Safety Shield provides the ongoing support to implement it — tracking control implementation, conducting follow-up reviews, and building a safety culture around the HIRA findings.
Safety Consulting pageWhat is the difference between HIRA and JHA/JSA?
Both HIRA and JHA/JSA are hazard identification tools — but they operate at different levels and serve different purposes. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right tool for each situation.
HIRA is the broader, area-level or activity-level assessment — it covers all hazards across a work area, process, or operation and produces a risk register for safety management and planning.
JHA (Job Hazard Analysis) or JSA (Job Safety Analysis) is a task-level tool — it breaks a specific job into sequential steps and identifies the hazard and required control at each step. It is more granular than HIRA and feeds directly into Safe Work Procedures.
Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) / Job Safety Analysis (JSA)
Consultivo conducts JHA/JSA studies as a standalone service — step-by-step task analysis for specific high-risk jobs, feeding directly into Safe Work Procedures. A dedicated JHA/JSA service page is coming. Contact us to discuss your JHA requirements in the meantime.
Also see: HIRA & Risk Assessment Training — Consultivo Academy courses for safety professionals
HIRA studies across every industry sector
The HIRA process is universal — but the hazards, the applicable standards, and the risk matrix calibration vary significantly by industry. Consultivo's HIRA team includes sector-specific experts assigned based on the industry of each engagement.
Machine & Equipment Hazards
HIRA for all machinery — moving parts, nip points, ejection hazards, energy sources. Feeds directly into LOTO SWPs and machine guarding requirements.
Chemical Hazards in Process
Assessment of chemical storage, dispensing, mixing, and waste disposal hazards — including fire, explosion, and toxic exposure risks across the production process.
Manual Handling & Ergonomics
Repetitive strain, awkward posture, heavy lifting, and vibration hazards — common in all manufacturing settings but frequently underassessed in HIRA studies.
Electrical & Energy Hazards
Electrical hazards across production equipment, control panels, and maintenance activities — aligned with electrical safety audit findings and SPARk™ protocol.
Working at Height
The leading cause of fatalities in construction. HIRA for all height work — scaffold, ladders, elevated work platforms, leading edges, roofwork — with mandatory hierarchy of controls.
Excavation & Ground Works
Collapse, struck-by, and service strike hazards in excavation and civil works. HIRA informs shoring requirements, isolation procedures, and emergency response.
Lifting & Crane Operations
Dropped load, overturning, and power line contact hazards from crane and lifting equipment operations — one of the highest-consequence risk categories on construction sites.
Confined Spaces on Site
Manholes, pipework, sumps, and temporary structures on construction sites where confined space hazards exist — atmospheric, engulfment, and entrapment risks.
Ground Stability & Strata
Roof fall, rib spall, and pillar failure hazards in underground mining — HIRA aligned with DGMS guidelines and applicable mining safety regulations.
Blasting & Explosives
Risk assessment for drilling, charging, blasting, and post-blast procedures — fume exposure, misfires, flyrock, and seismic hazards.
Equipment & Transport Hazards
Vehicle-pedestrian conflicts, heavy equipment operation, and transport route hazards — a significant proportion of mining fatalities occur in transport incidents.
Dust & Gas Exposure
Silica dust, coal dust, diesel exhaust, and gas exposure in mining environments — occupational health hazards that require monitoring, controls, and health surveillance.
Process Hazard Analysis (PHA)
HIRA at the process level — identifying hazardous energy, reactive chemical hazards, loss-of-containment scenarios, and runaway reaction risks in chemical processes.
Toxic & Flammable Material Hazards
Storage, handling, transfer, and disposal of toxic and flammable substances — including MSIHC Rule compliance, MSDS review, and emergency response requirements.
Fire & Explosion Risk Assessment
Flammable atmosphere zone classification, ignition source identification, and fire and explosion risk assessment — feeds into FireMap™ fire safety assessment findings.
Contractor & Permit-to-Work HIRA
Risk assessment specifically for maintenance, hot work, and confined space activities carried out by contractors — where the risk interface between operations and maintenance is highest.
Vehicle & Pedestrian Conflict
The most significant hazard in logistics and warehousing — forklift and vehicle movements in the same areas as pedestrian workers. HIRA drives traffic management and segregation controls.
Racking & Storage Failures
Structural failure, overloading, and improper use of pallet racking — a common but underassessed hazard in warehousing environments.
Manual Handling in Warehouse
Repetitive lifting, reaching, and carrying of loads — a leading cause of occupational ill-health in logistics. HIRA quantifies the risk and identifies ergonomic controls.
Road & Journey Safety
Driver fatigue, vehicle condition, load securing, and journey management — HIRA for transport operations including the public road interface.
Ready to conduct a professional HIRA for your facility?
Tell us about your industry, facility size, and what you need the HIRA to cover. Our safety team will respond within one business day with an initial perspective and, where appropriate, a scoped proposal.
Let's discuss
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Questions? We have answers.
The most common questions about Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment — from what it means to how Consultivo conducts a HIRA study.
What is HIRA in safety? What is the full form of HIRA?
HIRA stands for Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment. In safety management, HIRA is the systematic process of identifying workplace hazards, evaluating the risk level of each hazard (using the formula Risk = Likelihood × Severity), and identifying the control measures needed to reduce risk to an acceptable level. HIRA is a core requirement of ISO 45001:2018 (Clause 6.1.2) and is the foundation of any effective workplace safety management system. It is also written as HIRAC (Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control) in some regions. Common alternate spellings include “heera in safety” and “hira study.”
What are the 4 steps of HIRA?
The four steps of HIRA are: (1) Hazard Identification — systematically identifying all sources of harm in the workplace; (2) Risk Evaluation — assessing the likelihood and severity of harm for each hazard using a risk matrix (Risk = Likelihood × Severity) to produce a risk rating; (3) Control Measure Identification — determining the appropriate controls following the hierarchy of controls (Elimination → Substitution → Engineering → Administrative → PPE); and (4) Control Implementation and Review — implementing the controls, assigning responsibility and timelines, and reviewing effectiveness on a defined periodic basis.
What is the HIRA formula in safety?
Risk = Likelihood × Severity (also expressed as Probability × Consequence). Likelihood is rated on a scale of 1–5 based on how probable it is that the hazard causes harm (1 = Rare, 5 = Very Likely). Severity is rated on a scale of 1–5 based on the potential consequence of the harm (1 = Trivial, 5 = Catastrophic). The product gives a Risk Score from 1 to 25. Scores 1–4 are Low risk, 5–9 are Medium, 10–16 are High, and 17–25 are Extreme. This is the standard 5×5 HIRA risk matrix used across Indian industry and aligned with ISO 45001 requirements.
What is a HIRA register?
A HIRA register is the primary output document of a HIRA study. It is a structured document (typically a spreadsheet or table) that lists every identified hazard, its location and source, the risk rating (Likelihood × Severity), the existing controls in place, the residual risk rating after existing controls, the additional controls required, the person responsible for implementing those controls, and the target completion date. The HIRA register is a living document — it must be reviewed and updated whenever conditions change, after incidents, and on a defined periodic basis. ISO 45001 requires documented information on OHS risks and opportunities (Clause 6.1.2).
What is the difference between HIRA and JHA/JSA?
HIRA (Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment) is a systematic, area-level or activity-level assessment that covers all hazards across a work area, process, or operation. It produces a risk register used for safety planning and management. JHA (Job Hazard Analysis) or JSA (Job Safety Analysis) is a task-level tool — it breaks a specific job into sequential steps and identifies the hazard and required control at each step. JHA/JSA is more granular and typically feeds directly into Safe Work Procedures (SWPs). Both are types of risk assessment; HIRA is the broader programme, JHA/JSA is the task-specific tool within it. Consultivo conducts both HIRA studies and JHA/JSA studies.
What is HIRAC in safety?
HIRAC stands for Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control — an extended form of HIRA that explicitly includes the control determination step in the acronym. HIRAC is commonly used in Australia, New Zealand, and some sectors in India. It covers the same fundamental process as HIRA — identify hazards, assess risk, determine and implement controls. Consultivo uses the HIRA terminology as it is more prevalent in the Indian safety context, but the methodology is identical to HIRAC.
