Hira Course: Learner Guide

HIRA COURSE
SAQA UNIT STANDARD ID 244383 - NQF LEVEL- 2 NQF CREDITS-2
LEARNER GUIDE
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permission from AK Progressive Training
AK PROGRESSIVE TRAINING
HAZARD IDENTIFICATION & RISK ASSESSMENT
NQF LEVEL : 2 SAQA UNIT STANDARD ID – 244383 NQF CREDITS : 2
LEARNER GUIDE
INTRODUCTION
The goal of the HIRA program is to make the workplace and operations as safe as
possible. It is impractical to deal with all risk in the same way. Serious risk needs
immediate attention, whilst less serious risk can be dealt with later or as time and
funding permits! The priorities on dealing with risk should be management’s call.
Section 8 of OHS act requires employers (management) to make an assessment of

hazards at the workplace, the precautionary measures necessary to deal with such
hazards and provide the means for taking such precautionary measures.
The day’s of accident investigations being the sole method of proactive safety
management are long gone. By effectively applying the principles contained in
HIRA, accidents are being identified beforehand and precautionary measures being
taken to avoid them.
What is HIRA?
It is an abbreviation for the words, hazard identification and risk assessment.
HIRA is the first part of a risk management program. The basic concept in any risk
management program being;
Identify
Evaluate
Control
HIRA is grouped into 3 categories;
Baseline. This is a risk assessment of the whole operation whether it be the entire
plant or section or the plant. It is done periodically or when major changes are
brought about. This is done to set up risk profiles on the complete operation or site.
Scenario. (also known as “Issue based”) A topic or problem area is addressed and
the risk assessment confined to that area of operation. An example could be attaching
a load to an overhead crane which is referred to as “slinging”. Elements of a Scenario
Based Risk Assessment can also be taken from a risk profile drawn up as a result of
doing a Base Line Risk Assessment.
Continuous. This is an ongoing process of risk assessment and is normally carried

out by the artisan, the team leader or person in charge of the work before
commencement of shift or starting a new task. This could also be in the form of risk
assessments done during routine inspections.
P.O.TCOPYRIGHT MCS TRAINING SOLUTIONS 2 OF 20

LEARNER GUIDE
Glossary
Consequence. The outcome of an event quantitively expressed in terms of loss,
injury, illness, damage to plant, equipment or the environment.
Credible risk. A level of risk that justifies investigation to ascertain its rating
Hazard. A source or exposure to danger.
Harm generally occurs in 4 ways
 Injury
 Illness
 Damage (plant, machinery, equipment or buildings)
 Loss. (Production loss, poor quality, interruptions, etc.
Note: loss is an element contained in all of the above.

LEARNER GUIDE
MODULE 1
Hira. Hazard identification and risk assessment.
Likelihood. A quantative description of probability and frequency.
Risk. The probability that harm or damage can occur.
Risk analysis. Is a process of assessing risk in the context of degree of severity of

the outcome combined with the probability of occurrence and the degree of exposure
there to?
Risk evaluation. Determining whether the degree of risk justifies any action. This
can be at the initial stage during hazard identification or after the risk analysis has
been done.
Residual risk. Risk remaining after protective measures has bee n taken.
Tolerable risk. Risk which is accepted in a given context based on the current
values of that society.
Vulnerability. Is the term used to indicate the effect exposure can have on
probability? It contains elements such as frequency; duration concentration can is a
combination of exposure to and the frequency that the hazard occurs.
Mitiagation. To reduce the effect of a hazard through some form of intervention or

correction.
Hazard
A source, or exposure to danger.
(alternatively, a hazard is something that has the potential to cause harm. This
includes substances, machines, methods of work or other aspect of work organization;
 Only consider hazards with credible risk.
 One hazard can result in more than one risk being realized from it.
 The hazard needs to be clearly defined so as to demonstrate the possible
outcome.
Hazards can be identified by means of;
 Checklist.
 Using one’s judgment based on experience and records.

LEARNER GUIDE
 Flow charts
 Brainstorming
 Systems analysis
 Scenario analysis and systems
 Engineering techniques
 Formal and informal inspections.
 Accident investigations
 Formal job observations
 Interviewing of employees.
 The health and safety management system. (committees and
representatives reports)
Gather all available information concerning the

hazard
 Past incident records.

 Production, process or maintenance records.
 Manufacturers.
 Persons with expertise knowledge.
 Health and safety committee.
 Departmental managers and supervisors.
 Experienced co-workers.
Before can ascertain risk, we must find out more

about the hazard;
 Is it continuous or intermittent?
 What is the degree of exposure?
 What is the frequency of exposure?
 How rapidly can the hazard occur?
 Is there any prior warning to it occurring?
 Are there still any gaps o\in knowledge or understanding about this
hazard?
Group exercise no1

1. Accident investigation is pro-active health and safety management.
True/False
2. Indicate your answer by drawing a circle around the number prefix of the
correct answer.
A hazard……………
LEARNER GUIDE
A is something that can cause harm.

B only needs to be identified.
C can only be dealt with by the health and safety representative.
3. Give an example of a hazard for each of the following.
a) Electrical
b) Working from heights.
c) Access scaffolding
d) Hot work
e) Noise
f) Operating machinery
g) Lifting loads by means of lifting machines.
h) Forklift trucks
i) Workplace contamination
j) Fire
4. See how many hazards you can find in the accompanying photograph
“Store Room” and note them down in the space provided-

LEARNER GUIDE
MODULE 2
Risk
The probability for harm or damage to occur.
(Alternatively, risk is the likelihood that the harm from a particular hazard will occur;
the extent of the risk depends on not only the severity of the harm to a person but also
the number of people who will be harmed. Risk therefore reflects both the likelihood
that the harm will occur and its severity in terms of the degree of harm and the
number of people harmed).
Note!
When analyzing risk, existing risk control measures are taken into
account!
In defending risk the following is taken into consideration.

 Consequences that could be envisaged if the hazard came to being.
 The degree of probability that the hazard could occur.
 The extent of exposure (vulnerability) subjected to.
How do we do this?
We make sue of a risk matrix.
Risk analysis
With the use of a risk matrix, we use our knowledge, experience and skill to allocate a
risk rating to the hazard. Some risk matrix makes use only of “consequence” and
“probability” whereas others also take into account “exposure”,
Looking across the x and y axis we then come to the rating allocation in the block of
the matrix by harnessing our judgment capabilities. Remember this is not a precise
science, but rather by judgment based on correct information, ability and experience.
By allocating a risk rating to the hazard we have now done a risk analysis.
Note
All risk is taken inMCS
P.O.TCOPYRIGHT
theTRAINING
context ofSOLUTIONS
existing control measures.
7 OF 20
LEARNER GUIDE
To avoid subjective biases the best available information sources and techniques
should be used when analyzing consequences and likelihood.
Sources of information may include the following:
 Past records.
 Relevant experience.
 Relevant published literature.
 Research and specialist and expert judgments
Example in allocating a risk rating
Using the risk matrix below ant the photo “welding operation” allocating a risk rating
for welding assistant to the hazard of eye damage due to welding because he is not
wearing eye protection.
When one considers risk we must look at the most likely practice or expected
outcome. We should only consider credible risk. The following ar the possibilities…
Defining hazards.
1. He could receive some form of permanent eye injury due to a spark
embedding itself into the cornea.
2. he could receive temporary injury if a spark were to embed itself into a
non-esental part of the eye. (this is not a credible risk, so this will be
ignored).
3. he can become permanently blind due to prolonged exposure to Ultraviolet
radiation from the welding process.
Risk Probability Consequence Rating

1. Chance of him getting a Consequence of some 3
steel splutter big enough form of permanent
and in exactly the right injury is serious and we
place (cornea) is remote should allocate at least
because of him not having a 2 for this on
to have to look at the consequence
welding process. We
therefore allocate a 1 on
probability.
2. For developing eye The illness of 4
blindness due to UV permanent blindness is
radiation. The frequency a form of permanent
he looks at the flame is say loss. We therefore

LEARNER GUIDE
about one in every 5 of the allocate a 3 for

times he holds the part. consequence on this.
The exposure time is a
split second. The chance
of him therefore getting
UV blindness is one in a
million. We therefore
allocate a 1 for
probability.
Note: any sparks coming onto the welder’s assistants face is not
considered a credible risk.
Exposure
A third factor namely exposure is also often taken into account when considering risk.
The degree of probability of the hazard occurring can also be dependant on the
exposure.
Exposure could be;
 Physical, for e.g. arms length away.

 Environmental. In the air, the workplace. Every time the workplace is
entered, exposure could be automatic.
 Total exposure for environmental would therefore be dependant on the
concentration of the hazard, the frequency exposed and the duration per
exposure.

LEARNER GUIDE
Job no Description C P Rating

18/3 Attach engine sub assy. 3k – y to 3 ton 3 1 4
sling
16/5 Change vee belts on an 8 x 6 DRL 2 1 3
pump
21/3 Adjust the blow off pressure of an air 1 1 2
compressor
Risk management
Document all risks selected for treatment in priority order. At this tage the future
focus should be on these risks. The risks not being considered for treatment need to
be documented as any of these may become unacceptable in the future. All risks need
to be included in future disaster risk management cycles.
If the resulting risks fall into the low or acceptable risk category, they may be
accepted with minimal further treatment. Low and accepted risks should be
monitored and periodically reviewed to ensure they remain acceptable. If risks do not
fall in to the low or acceptable risk category, they should be treated using one or more
of the options considered in the risk treatment section.
Examples of methods for selecting risks for treatment.
Method Description/comments
Acceptable/unacceptable Class risks as acceptable or unacceptable
based on risk evaluation criteria such as
potential loss of life, damage to buildings
and infrastructure, economic loss, legal
and social justice implications e.g. risks
that cause fatality or severe injury are
unacceptable. Treatment options
assessment is based on unacceptable risks
only (in risk rating order)
Cut-off based on risk rating Assess treatment options for only those
risks with moderate of higher risk rating.
Cut-off based on budget Assess treatment options for as many risks
as can be covered by the available budget,
commencing at the highest risk and
working towards the lowest risk.
Notes:

LEARNER GUIDE
1. A combination of the above risk selection methods could be adopted.

2. Risk treatment is an iterative process. Risks not on the list for treatment
initially are likely to become priority once higher rating risks are treated
(adopt a lower rating).
3.
Obtain accurate hazards information
This is necessary so that hazards canbe taken into account in policy and plan
development processes
Avoid the effects of hazards in the first instance
‘structuring planning’ or other techniques to avoid the effects of hazards as a

key action
Mitigate the effects where the effects of hazards cannot be avoided
Treating the risk – see the treatment options – by ensuring that mitigation
measure s (subject to cost/benefits analysis) have been put in place.
Communication the risks
Have information systems in place (e.g. Hazards registers, pamphlets etc) to

be able to inform people of the risk from hazards events. Also actions that
individual and their families can take to avoid risks or to be prepared for
them.
Monitor and review
Hazards management techniques need to be constantly under review to

ensure their effectiveness. Hazards information systems need to be updated
as new information is made available.
LEARNER GUIDE
SECTION 8 – GENERAL DUTIES OF EMPLOYERS TO THEIR

EMPLOYEES
 Provide and maintain a working envir9onment that is safe and without risk
to the health of this employees.
 Systems of work, plant and machinery that are sfae and without risks to
health;
 Safety and absence of risks to health in connecti0on with the production,
processing, use, handling, storage or transport of articles or substances;
 Establishing what hazards there are, what precautionary measures are
necessary and providing the resources therefore.
 Providing such information, supervision, instructions and training for
employees for the correct performing of their duties.
 Not permitting any employee to carry out his task unless precautionary
measures have been taken.
 Ensure the company is in compliance to the OHS act. – Enforcing
measures in pursuance of health and safety.
 All work in connection with the operation of plant and machinery is
carried out under the general supervision of a person trained to know what
the risks are.
 Informing all employees as to their scope of authority.
SECTION 10 – GENERAL DUTIES OF MANUFACTURERS AND OTHERS

REGARDING ARTCLES AND SUBSTACES FOR USE AT WORK.
Any person, who designs, manufactures, imports, sells or supplies, erects or installs
any article for use at work shall ensure:
 The article is safe and without risks to health when properly used –
complies with all prescribed requirement.
 The manner in which it is erected or installed does not create a health and
safety risk.
 Any person importing, manufacturing, selling or supplying any substance;
 Ensure it is safe if properly used.
 Provide an information sheet for safety data
 A third party may take over the legal obligations by contract.
SECTION 13. EMPLOYER’S DUTY TO INFORM
 Inform every employee of hazards associated to and precautionary

measures necessary for every task to be performed.
 Inform the health and safety representative;

LEARNER GUIDE
- Of investigations, formal enquiries, and inspections by an

inspector.
- Application for an exemption.
- The occurrence of an accident.
SECTION 14. GENERAL DUTIES OF EMPLOYEES AT WORK
 Take care for his own health and safety and those who could be affected
by his actions at work.
 Co-operate with his employer or any other person in order to comply with
OHS act.
 Carry out any lawful order and obey company rules.
 Any condition becomes unsafe or endangers anyone’s health at work,
report it without delay to the Health and Safety Representative or his
employer.
 Report any incident he is involved in by the end of the shift or at the
earliest opportunity to a health and safety representative or his employer.
SECTION 18. FUNCTIONS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY

REPRESENTATIVES.
May perform the following
 Review health and safety measures. – identify hazards at work.

 Investigate complaints by employees
 Make representations to his employer or a health and safety committee on
any of the above mentioned matters.
He may also.
 In agreement with his employer conduct regular planned inspections of his

workplace.
 Examine causes of incidents and visit the site of an incident.
 Consult with and accompany an inspector on an inspection.
 Request information from an inspector.
 Be a member of a health and safety committee.
 Attend a formal inquiry by an inspector.
 Inspect any document in relation to his functions.
 By approval of his employer be accompanied by a technical advisor.
 Participate in internal health and safety audits.
Note: A health and safety representative;
1. With the approval of his employer may receive such assistance and
training in performance of this functions as required by him.
2. Not incur civil liability.

LEARNER GUIDE
3. Perform all duties during normal working hours.
SECTION 20 – FUNCTIONS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEES.
 Make recommendations on matters of health and safety to
- the employer
- an inspector
 Discuss incidents that occurred at the workplace.
 Report in writing on such incident to an inspector.
 Perform other functions as prescribed in the regulations.
 Keep records of its activities.
 Not incur civil liability
 Hold meetings at least every 3 months.

LEARNER GUIDE
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES RISK

ASSESSMENT PROFORMA

LEARNER GUIDE
HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND RISK

ASSESSMENT FORM
Assessed by: ……………………………………
Item being Model or Serial no./ Department Location Date Revise

assessed subject no lecturer assessed date
(prac,laboratory,
plant etc)
Identified Risk Risk score Risk level Risk control recommendations

hazards assessment ExPxC (consider hierarchy of control)
Exposure (E) Probability Conseq(C)
(P)
Hierarchy of Definitions
control
1. Elimination exposure E Probability P Consequences C Risk score
2. substitution Continuously 10 Most likely Catastrophic 20 >10 High
1.0
3. Isolation Frequently 6 Possible Fata 10 3-10
0.6 medium
4. Engineering Occasionally 3 Conceivable Serious 5 0-3 low
control 0.3
5. Infrequently 2 Remote Minor 2
Administrative 0.1
6. PPE Rarely 1 Inconceivable Negligible 1
0.05

LEARNER GUIDE
Hazard identification and risk assessment form is to be used for the assessment of
hazards when using plant and equipment, and hazardous substances; in assessing risks
in work environments such as laboratories, lecture theatres and office space and when
developing practical and experiments (including research projects)

LEARNER GUIDE

LEARNER GUIDE
Hazards checklist
1. Acceleration. When we speed up or slow down too quickly. Acceleration
occurs when any object is being set in motion or its speed increased.
Whiplash is a common injury as a result of an acceleration hazard.
Hazards from deceleration and impact, especially fom falls, also exist in
the workplace.
2. Biological. Hazards of harmful bacterial, viruses, fungi, and moulds are
becoming a greater concern to everyone at work. The primary routes of
infection are airborne and blood borne.
3. Chemical reactions. Chemical reactions can be violent; can cause
explosions, dispersion of materials and emission of heat. Chemical
compounds may combine or break down (disassociate) resulting in
chemicals with reactive properties. Corrosion, the slow combination of
iron and water, is a common chemical reaction and reactive properties.
Corrosion, the slow combination of iron and water, is a common chemical
reaction and results in loss of strength and integrity of affected metals.
4. Electrical hazards. Exposure to electrical current. There are six basic
electrical hazards: shock, ignition, heating/overheating, inadvertent
activation (unexpected start-up), failure to operate, and equipment
explosion.
5. Ergonomics. The nature of the work being done may include force,
posture, position of operation characteristics that require hazardous lifting,
lowering, pushing, pulling, and twisting. The results are strains and
sprains to muscles and connective tissues.
6. Explosives and explosions. Explosions result in quick (instantaneous)
release of gas, heat, noise, light and over-pressure. High explosives
release a large amount of energy. Low explosives burn rapidly
(deflagrates) but at a slower speed. Most explosive accidents are caused
by explosions of combustible gases.
7. Flammability and fires. In order for combustion to take place, the fuel, an
oxidizer, and ignition source must be present in gaseous form. Accidental
fires are commonplace because fuel, oxidizers and ignition sources are
often present in the workplace.
8. Heat and temperature. Temperature indicates the level of sensible heat
present in a body. Massive uncontrolled flows of heat or temperature
extremes in either can cause trauma, illness.
9. Mechanical hazards. Tools, equipment, machinery and any object may
contain pinch points, sharp points and edges, weight, rotating parts,
stability, ejected parts and materials that could cause injury.

LEARNER GUIDE
10. Pressure. Increased pressure in hydraulic and pneumatic systems.

Pressure may cause ruptures in pressure vessels, whipping hoses. Small
high pressure leaks may cause serious injuries.
11. Radiation. Electromagnetic radiation hazards vary depending on the
frequency (wavelength) of the energy. Generally, the higher the
frequency, the more severe the potential injury. Non-ionizing (ultra-violet,
visible light) may cause burns. Ionizing radiation actually has the potential
to destroy tissue by dislodging electrons from atoms making up body cells.
12. Toxies. Materials that in small amounts may cause injury to skin and
internal organs is considered toxic. Toxics may enter through inhalation,
ingestion, absorbed or injected.
13. Vibration/noise. Produce adverse physiological and psychological effects.
Whole-body vibration is a common hazard in the trucking industry.
Segmental vibration and noise hazard exist

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HIRA COURSE

SAQA UNIT STANDARD ID 244383 - NQF LEVEL- 2 NQF CREDITS-2

Section 8 of OHS act requires employers (management) to make an assessment of

It is an abbreviation for the words, hazard identification and risk assessment.

HIRA is grouped into 3 categories;

Continuous. This is an ongoing process of risk assessment and is normally carried

P.O.TCOPYRIGHT MCS TRAINING SOLUTIONS 2 OF 20

Hazard. A source or exposure to danger.

Harm generally occurs in 4 ways

Note: loss is an element contained in all of the above.

P.O.TCOPYRIGHT MCS TRAINING SOLUTIONS 3 OF 20

Likelihood. A quantative description of probability and frequency.

Risk. The probability that harm or damage can occur.

Risk analysis. Is a process of assessing risk in the context of degree of severity of

Mitiagation. To reduce the effect of a hazard through some form of intervention or

A source, or exposure to danger.

Hazards can be identified by means of;

P.O.TCOPYRIGHT MCS TRAINING SOLUTIONS 4 OF 20

Gather all available information concerning the

 Past incident records.

Before can ascertain risk, we must find out more

Group exercise no1

A is something that can cause harm.

3. Give an example of a hazard for each of the following.

P.O.TCOPYRIGHT MCS TRAINING SOLUTIONS 6 OF 20

The probability for harm or damage to occur.

In defending risk the following is taken into consideration.

We make sue of a risk matrix.

Sources of information may include the following:

Example in allocating a risk rating

Risk Probability Consequence Rating

P.O.TCOPYRIGHT MCS TRAINING SOLUTIONS 8 OF 20

about one in every 5 of the allocate a 3 for

Exposure could be;

 Physical, for e.g. arms length away.

P.O.TCOPYRIGHT MCS TRAINING SOLUTIONS 9 OF 20

Job no Description C P Rating

Examples of methods for selecting risks for treatment.

P.O.TCOPYRIGHT MCS TRAINING SOLUTIONS 10 OF 20

1. A combination of the above risk selection methods could be adopted.

Obtain accurate hazards information

Avoid the effects of hazards in the first instance

‘structuring planning’ or other techniques to avoid the effects of hazards as a

Mitigate the effects where the effects of hazards cannot be avoided

Communication the risks

Have information systems in place (e.g. Hazards registers, pamphlets etc) to

Monitor and review

Hazards management techniques need to be constantly under review to

SECTION 8 – GENERAL DUTIES OF EMPLOYERS TO THEIR

SECTION 10 – GENERAL DUTIES OF MANUFACTURERS AND OTHERS

SECTION 13. EMPLOYER’S DUTY TO INFORM

 Inform every employee of hazards associated to and precautionary

P.O.TCOPYRIGHT MCS TRAINING SOLUTIONS 12 OF 20

- Of investigations, formal enquiries, and inspections by an

SECTION 14. GENERAL DUTIES OF EMPLOYEES AT WORK

SECTION 18. FUNCTIONS OF HEALTH AND SAFETY

May perform the following

 Review health and safety measures. – identify hazards at work.

 In agreement with his employer conduct regular planned inspections of his