Risk and Hazard Management Resources
Explore IOSHQ risk and hazard management resources covering hazard identification, risk assessment, control measures, monitoring and continuing workplace safety improvement.
Risk and Hazard Management Resources for Workplace Safety
Effective occupational safety begins with understanding workplace hazards and the risks they create. IOSHQ risk and hazard management resources support systematic approaches to recognizing hazards, assessing risk, selecting controls and reviewing workplace conditions.
Hazard Identification
Develop systematic approaches to recognizing workplace conditions, activities and sources of potential harm.
Risk Assessment
Explore how available information can be evaluated to understand risk and establish control priorities.
Risk Control
Understand approaches for eliminating hazards or reducing occupational risk through appropriate controls.
Risk Tolerance and Risk Criteria: A Practical Guide to Workplace Risk Decisions
Hazard Control Plan: A Practical Guide to Implementing Workplace Risk Controls
Human Factors in Risk Management: A Practical Guide to Safer Workplace Systems
Management of Change in the Workplace: A Practical Guide to Managing Risk During Change
Critical Controls Management: A Practical Guide to Managing High-Consequence Workplace Risks
Bow-Tie Risk Analysis: A Practical Guide to Workplace Risk and Barrier Management
Residual Risk in the Workplace: A Practical Guide to Evaluating Risk After Controls
Risk Treatment in the Workplace: A Practical Guide to Managing Occupational Risk
Risk Communication in the Workplace: A Practical Guide to Communicating Occupational Risk
Risk Matrix in the Workplace: A Practical Guide to Evaluating Occupational Risk
Task Risk Assessment: A Practical Guide to Assessing Workplace Tasks
Dynamic Risk Assessment: A Practical Guide to Managing Changing Workplace Risks
Risk Control in the Workplace: A Practical Guide to Reducing Occupational Risk
Risk Prioritization in the Workplace: A Practical Guide to Ranking Occupational Risks
Risk Register in the Workplace: A Practical Guide to Tracking Occupational Risks
Hazard Analysis in the Workplace: A Practical Guide to Understanding Hazards
Risk Management in the Workplace: A Practical Guide to Managing Occupational Risk
Understanding Hazards, Risk and Controls
Hazard and risk are related but distinct concepts. Understanding that distinction helps professionals evaluate workplace conditions and make more structured safety decisions.
Hazard
A hazard is a source, situation or activity with the potential to cause harm. Recognizing hazards is the foundation of risk management.
Risk
Risk considers the possibility and potential consequences of harm arising from exposure to a hazard.
Control
Controls are measures used to eliminate hazards where possible or otherwise reduce associated risk.
Identify, Assess, Control and Review
A structured risk management process helps organizations connect hazard recognition with practical controls and continuing improvement.
Identify
Recognize hazards associated with activities, equipment, substances, environments and workplace interactions.
Assess
Evaluate relevant information to understand risk and determine priorities for action.
Control
Select and implement appropriate measures intended to eliminate hazards or reduce risk.
Review
Monitor controls and reassess risk when activities, equipment, processes or workplace conditions change.
Recognizing Workplace Hazards
Hazard identification involves looking systematically at how work is performed, what equipment and substances are involved, who may be exposed and how workplace conditions can contribute to harm.
Work Activities
Consider routine and non-routine tasks, work methods, maintenance activities and interactions between operations.
Materials & Substances
Recognize hazards associated with chemicals, materials, emissions and other substances encountered at work.
Work Environment
Consider access, layout, temperature, lighting, noise, surfaces and other environmental conditions.
Energy Sources
Identify electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, thermal and other hazardous energy sources.
Equipment & Vehicles
Explore hazards involving machinery, mobile equipment, tools, vehicles and interactions with workers.
People & Interaction
Consider how workers, contractors, visitors and simultaneous activities can affect workplace risk.
Evaluating Workplace Risk
Risk assessment provides a structured basis for deciding where action is needed. The approach should be appropriate to the workplace, activity, hazards and applicable requirements.
Who May Be Affected?
Consider employees, contractors, visitors and others who could be exposed to identified hazards.
Risk Evaluation
Consider relevant factors associated with the possibility and potential consequences of harm.
Prioritization
Use the assessment to establish appropriate priorities for controls, action and further evaluation.
Understanding the Hierarchy of Controls
The hierarchy of controls provides a structured way to consider risk-reduction measures. More effective approaches generally address hazards closer to their source rather than relying only on individual behavior or personal protection.
Elimination
Where practicable, remove the hazard so that the associated exposure no longer exists.
Substitution
Consider replacing a hazardous process, material or activity with an alternative presenting lower risk.
Engineering Controls
Use physical or technical measures to isolate people from hazards or reduce exposure.
Administrative Controls
Use procedures, work organization, information and other administrative measures to manage exposure.
Personal Protective Equipment
Use appropriate personal protective equipment as part of the overall risk-control strategy where necessary.
Combined Controls
Complex risks may require multiple complementary measures rather than reliance on a single control.
Dynamic Risk and Workplace Change
Risk management is not a one-time exercise. Workplace conditions can change through new equipment, processes, personnel, materials, environments and unexpected events.
Operational Change
Review risk when tasks, processes, equipment or work arrangements are introduced or modified.
Workplace Observation
Use observations and relevant information to identify emerging hazards or weaknesses in existing controls.
Periodic Review
Revisit assessments and controls at appropriate intervals and when significant new information becomes available.
Incidents, Findings and Risk Improvement
Incidents, near misses, observations and other findings can provide information about hazards and weaknesses in risk controls. Structured review can turn this information into opportunities for improvement.
Examine
Gather relevant information about what occurred, the conditions involved and existing controls.
Understand
Consider contributing factors and system conditions rather than focusing only on immediate events.
Improve
Use findings to strengthen controls, workplace arrangements and future risk-management decisions.
Integrating Risk Management Into Workplace Systems
Risk management is most effective when connected with wider organizational responsibilities, planning, communication, competency, monitoring and improvement.
Planning
Include hazard and risk considerations when planning activities, processes and workplace changes.
Communication
Share relevant hazard, risk and control information with people affected by workplace activities.
Performance
Monitor relevant information to understand whether risk controls remain appropriate and effective.
Risk Management Knowledge Across Professional Levels
Hazard and risk management responsibilities exist throughout an organization, but the depth and scope of responsibility can change substantially between operational, supervisory, management and professional roles.
Employees
Build awareness of workplace hazards, controls, safe practices and reporting responsibilities.
Supervisors & Managers
Explore risk assessment, work planning, control implementation, communication and monitoring.
Safety Professionals
Develop deeper knowledge of occupational risk, analysis, control strategies and safety management systems.
Applying Risk and Hazard Management Knowledge
The principles of hazard identification and risk management can support safety learning across different workplace environments while specific hazards and requirements vary by industry and activity.
Construction
Explore risk management in changing environments involving equipment, work at height, materials and multiple activities.
Oil & Gas
Consider operational, process, energy and hazardous-material risks within oil and gas environments.
Healthcare
Explore biological, chemical, ergonomic, physical and operational hazards affecting healthcare workplaces.
Risk and Hazard Management Resources and IOSHQ Programs
Knowledge Center resources support independent learning and professional development. They complement structured IOSHQ programs but do not replace program curricula, assessment, workplace competency requirements or activity-specific authorization.
Explore
Use educational resources to develop understanding of hazards, occupational risk and control principles.
Study
Use structured IOSHQ programs when seeking defined learning outcomes, curricula and assessment requirements.
Develop
Continue building risk-management knowledge as workplace responsibilities and professional objectives evolve.
Risk and Hazard Management Resources FAQ
Common questions about IOSHQ risk and hazard management resources and their role in occupational safety learning.
They are educational resources covering hazard identification, risk assessment, risk controls, workplace monitoring and continuing safety improvement.
A hazard is a source, situation or activity with the potential to cause harm. Risk considers the possibility and potential consequences of harm arising from exposure to that hazard.
The hierarchy of controls is a structured approach for considering risk-control measures, generally prioritizing elimination and source-level controls before relying primarily on administrative measures or personal protective equipment.
Review may be appropriate when work activities, equipment, materials, personnel or conditions change, when new information becomes available, following relevant incidents or findings, and at intervals appropriate to the workplace and applicable requirements.
No. IOSHQ Knowledge Center resources are educational and do not replace workplace-specific assessments, competent professional judgment or applicable employer and regulatory requirements.
Explore the IOSHQ Programs and Professional Development areas for published educational pathways relevant to occupational safety, risk management and workplace responsibilities.
Build Your Risk and Hazard Management Knowledge
Explore IOSHQ resources covering workplace hazards, risk assessment, control strategies, safety management and professional development.