What Is a Hazard
Understanding Hazard Identification and Control in ISO 45001 Systems
A hazard is any condition, activity, substance, or situation with the potential to cause harm to people, or damage to equipment or the environment. Hazards can be physical (e.g. sharp objects, fire, noise), chemical (e.g. toxic fumes), biological (e.g. viruses), ergonomic (e.g. repetitive strain), or psychosocial (e.g. stress, fatigue).
A hazard becomes a risk only when someone is exposed to it under unsafe or uncontrolled conditions. The goal of any Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) system is not simply to recognise hazards—but to control them effectively.
What Is Hazard Control?
Hazard control refers to the measures used to reduce or eliminate the potential for harm from a hazard. These measures break the link between the hazard and the likelihood of an incident. Controls should be selected based on their ability to reduce risk effectively, and in accordance with the hierarchy of controls.
Example: In an industrial setting with high noise levels, the source of the noise may not be immediately removable. However, hazard controls such as soundproofing (engineering), shift rotation (administrative), and hearing protection (PPE) can significantly reduce risk.
Types of Hazard Control Measures
- Elimination: Completely removing the hazard (e.g. automating a dangerous manual task).
- Substitution: Replacing a hazard with a safer alternative (e.g. using non-toxic solvents).
- Engineering Controls: Physically isolating people from hazards (e.g. guardrails, soundproofing).
- Administrative Controls: Changing procedures or schedules to reduce exposure (e.g. training, job rotation).
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Providing equipment to reduce the impact of hazards (e.g. gloves, goggles, respirators).
What Is Hazard Identification?
Hazard identification is the process of systematically recognising hazards that exist or may arise from a workplace, task, or operational context. It is the first step in a risk assessment and a requirement under ISO 45001:2018 Clause 6.1.2.
This process helps organisations take a proactive approach to risk management by understanding potential sources of harm before incidents occur. It also ensures that hazard controls are appropriate to the specific conditions in which the hazard exists.
Hazards Are Context-Specific
A key principle in hazard identification is that hazards must be evaluated based on the context in which they occur. A situation that may be hazardous in one setting might not be hazardous in another—depending on timing, proximity, or environmental factors.
Example: Noise from drilling during an office refurbishment project is a hazard if it takes place during work hours, posing a risk to occupants. The same task performed after hours may not present the same level of risk, even though the hazard remains unchanged.
Why Hazard Identification Is Important
- It is the foundation of effective risk assessments and control strategies.
- It supports ISO 45001 compliance and continual improvement.
- It allows for the early detection and mitigation of hazards before incidents occur.
- It helps prioritise resources for the most significant risks.
A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm. This includes conditions, objects, substances, or behaviours that may injure people or damage property or the environment.
The five types of hazard control are elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE)—ranked by effectiveness in the hierarchy of control.
Hazard identification is the starting point for risk management. It helps organisations detect hazards early, reduce the likelihood of harm, and meet legal and ISO 45001 requirements.
No. A hazard becomes dangerous only when there is exposure and a lack of control. The same hazard may pose different levels of risk in different situations depending on the context.