HIRA - Risk Assessment
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The Foundation of Safety Management
Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) is the systematic process of spotting potential dangers in your workplace and evaluating their likelihood and severity. It is the cornerstone of any ISO 45001 compliant safety management system.
B2B Industrial Solutions follows a structured HIRA methodology combining qualitative risk matrices and quantitative analysis. We identify hazards across all categories—Physical, Chemical, Biological, Ergonomic, and Psychosocial—and design tailored control strategies to reach ALARP (As Low As Reasonably Practicable) levels.
The HIRA Process
Hazard Identification
Systematic scanning of activities, equipment, materials, and environment to spot all potential sources of harm.
MethodsRisk Analysis
Evaluating Probability (likelihood) and Severity (consequence) to assign a Risk Rating using 3x3 or 5x5 matrices.
MatricesControl Hierarchy
Applying Elimination → Substitution → Engineering → Administrative → PPE to reduce risk to acceptable levels.
FrameworkReview & Monitor
Periodic re-assessment when processes change, new equipment is added, or after incidents to ensure controls remain effective.
LifecycleRisk Prioritization Matrix
We use a standard 5x5 risk matrix to prioritize action.
| Risk Rating | Score Range | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Extreme (E) | 20 - 25 | Stop work immediately; implement controls before restart |
| High (H) | 15 - 19 | Priority action; timeline for risk reduction < 1 month |
| Medium (M) | 8 - 12 | Schedule controls within 3-6 months; monitor regularly |
| Low (L) | 1 - 6 | Acceptable; maintain existing controls and review annually |
Hierarchy of Controls
Following NIOSH guidelines, we apply controls in order of effectiveness from most to least protective.
| Control Level | Description | Examples | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Elimination | Physically remove the hazard from the workplace | Discontinue hazardous process, remove dangerous equipment | ★★★★★ (Most Effective) |
| 2. Substitution | Replace hazardous material/process with safer alternative | Use water-based paints instead of solvent-based, replace asbestos | ★★★★☆ |
| 3. Engineering Controls | Isolate people from hazard through physical barriers | Machine guards, ventilation systems, acoustic enclosures | ★★★★☆ |
| 4. Administrative Controls | Change work procedures and policies to reduce exposure | Job rotation, safety training, work permits, signage | ★★★☆☆ |
| 5. PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) | Protective gear worn by workers to reduce exposure | Safety glasses, gloves, respirators, hearing protection | ★★☆☆☆ (Least Effective) |
Note: PPE is the last line of defense. Our HIRA studies prioritize upper hierarchy controls to achieve ALARP compliance per ISO 45001 §6.1.2.