What Is HIRA? A Practical South African Workplace Guide

HIRA means Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment. It is a structured process used to identify what could cause harm, understand who may be affected, evaluate the level of risk and decide what controls are needed.

A useful HIRA is not a generic form stored in a safety file. It should reflect the real workplace, tasks, equipment, substances, people, contractors and changes that affect exposure.

Why HIRA matters

South African employers have a general duty to provide and maintain, as far as reasonably practicable, a working environment that is safe and without risk to employee health. A credible risk-assessment process helps the employer identify hazards, prioritise controls, communicate safe work requirements and monitor whether those controls remain effective.

The difference between a hazard and a risk

A hazard is something with the potential to cause harm—for example an unguarded machine, work at height, electricity, vehicle movement, noise or a hazardous chemical. Risk considers the likelihood that harm will occur and the possible severity of the outcome.

A practical HIRA process

1. Define the scope: identify the workplace, activity, task, project or change being assessed.
2. Gather information: review incidents, inspections, equipment manuals, legal requirements, employee input and existing procedures.
3. Identify hazards: observe work as performed, including routine, non-routine, maintenance and emergency conditions.
4. Identify people exposed: include employees, contractors, visitors, vulnerable workers and members of the public where relevant.
5. Evaluate risk: use a consistent method for likelihood and consequence.
6. Select controls: prioritise elimination and engineering controls before relying only on procedures or personal protective equipment.
7. Assign actions: name responsible persons and target dates.
8. Review effectiveness: confirm that actions were completed and that residual risk is acceptable.

Using the hierarchy of controls

• Eliminate the hazard where reasonably practicable.
• Substitute a safer process, substance or item.
• Use engineering controls to separate people from the hazard.
• Apply administrative controls, training, permits and supervision.
• Use suitable personal protective equipment as the final layer, not the only control.

What a risk register should contain

Record the activity, hazard, persons exposed, existing controls, initial risk rating, further actions, responsible person, due date, residual risk and review date. Keep the scoring method understandable and consistent.

When should HIRA be reviewed?

• After an incident, near miss or significant complaint.
• When equipment, substances, processes or layouts change.
• Before new work, projects or high-risk tasks begin.
• When legal or client requirements change.
• When inspections show controls are missing or ineffective.
• At a planned interval appropriate to the workplace and risk profile.

Common HIRA weaknesses

Typical problems include copying another site’s assessment, excluding employees who perform the work, vague controls, missing action owners, no residual-risk review and failing to update the assessment after change.

Official framework and JAFO support

Review the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993 and the regulations applicable to the workplace and activity.

Explore HIRA training, risk-assessment support or request a JAFO proposal for a workplace-specific requirement.

Frequently asked questions

Is HIRA a once-off exercise?

No. It should be reviewed when conditions change and at intervals appropriate to the risk.

Who should participate?

People who understand the work should participate, supported by competent safety, technical or supervisory input where needed.

Does a risk matrix replace professional judgment?

No. A matrix supports consistency; it does not replace evidence, legal requirements or competent judgment.