Sample
HAZARD IDENTIFICATION AND RISK ASSESSMENT (HIRA) FORM
PART 1: HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
(to be completed by the Faculty/Service/Department Safety Advisor).
1) Title of Activity/Equipment                                     Location (Building/Room)
     River water sampling (for subsequent laboratory analysis)
2) Brief Description of the Activity/Equipment (under assessment).
     Collecting a river water sample; undertaking a site inspection as part of research
     project
      Taking river water samples
      Site inspection
      Transportation and storage of samples
3) Reference Method or Protocol (under assessment).
     Based upon Environment Agency Guidance.
4) Persons Affected
     (list all persons in your area, either staff or non staff who may perform the activity or use
     the equipment).
a) Staff: (Names, if possible, Job Titles plus numbers if not).
     J. Bloggs, Senior Lecturer
     A. N. Other, technician
b) Non Staff: (inc. students, (numbers, i.e. per year/per practical, etc.), visitors and
general public).
     Post-graduate students (4 per visit)
5) Potential Significant Hazards (list all hazards associated with the activity or
equipment).
        Slips, trips and falls on uneven or slippery surfaces and steps
        Falling into watercourse
        Hit by mobile plant and vehicles
        Contact with bacteria, pathogens, vermin
        Exposure to dangerous chemicals
        Confrontation with aggressive persons
        Exposure to needles and sharp objects
        Injury from lifting
        Asphyxiation in confined spaces
        Hit or trapped by moving machinery
Signed: ................................................... (Safety Advisor/Risk Assessor)
Date:.......................................................
Sample
PART 2: RISK ASSESSMENT (to be completed by appropriate person)
                Risk = likelihood (of event occurring) x hazard (severity)
Using the definition of Risk which covers both likelihood (chance) of
occurrence and severity of harm (taking into account population at risk and
level of injury possible) calculate the risk by grading the likelihood (1-4) and
the severity (1-4), (1=Low, 4=High), giving a final figure between 1 and 16.
Hazard Identified                                Likelihood of                Hazard            Risk
(see list in Part 1, Section 5)                   occurrence                 (Severity)    (likelihood x
                                                  (grade 1-4)               (grade 1-4)       Hazard)
                                                      (A)                       (B)            (A x B)
Slips, trips and falls on
uneven or slippery
surfaces and steps                                       2                       2              4
Falling into watercourse                                 2                       3              6
Hit by mobile plant and                                  1                       3              3
vehicles
Contact with bacteria,                                   3                       3              9
pathogens, vermin
Exposure to dangerous                                    2                       3              6
chemicals
Confrontation with                                       1                       2              2
aggressive persons
Exposure to needles and                                  1                       3              3
sharp objects
Injury from lifting                                      2                       2              4
Asphyxiation in confined                                 1                       3              3
spaces
Hit or trapped by moving                                 1                       3              3
machinery
Signed: .................................................................   Dean/Head of
School/Service/Supervisor
Date: .........................................
Sample
PART 3. CONTROL MEASURES
a) EXISTING (list all controls that are existing in place)
Slips, trips and falls on uneven or slippery surfaces              Wear safety footwear. Do not climb
and steps                                                          steep surfaces whilst carrying
                                                                   equipment. Be aware of risk of
                                                                   surveying close to watercourses.
Hit by mobile plant and vehicles                                   Wear high visibility clothing. Keep to
                                                                   marked footpaths where possible. If
                                                                   a survey location is close to a road,
                                                                   extra care must be taken.
Adverse weather conditions                                         Wear appropriate clothing. Ensure
                                                                   that surveys are only conducted in
                                                                   favourable weather conditions.
                                                                   Ensure provision of waterproof
                                                                   clothing if required.
Confrontation with aggressive persons/animals                      Avoid confrontational situations and
                                                                   adopt a non-confrontation manner.
                                                                   Wherever possible, and particularly
                                                                   in certain areas, ensure that surveys
                                                                   are carried out in pairs.
Getting lost in an unfamiliar area                                 Make a preliminary site visit with a
                                                                   person who knows the area or with a
                                                                   map.
General control measures                                           Observe written and oral guidance
                                                                   provided by staff. Inform a
                                                                   nominated, reliable person where
                                                                   and when survey is taking place and
                                                                   over what time period. Carry
                                                                   identification and a mobile telephone
                                                                   (or have ready access to a public
                                                                   telephone).
Existing Controls Satisfactory? YES (if NO parts b) and c) must be completed)
b) SHORT TERM REQUIREMENTS                                         IMPLEMENTATION            COMPLETION
(implementation within six months)                                 DATE
                                                                                             DATE
Ensure all persons involved read risk assessment.                  Before visiting site
Ensure all persons involved have received some                     Before visiting site
guidance on surveying.
Check all persons involved in survey have                          Before visiting site
appropriate clothing and personal protective                       and at site
equipment (PPE).
c) LONG TERM REQUIREMENTS                                          IMPLEMENTATION            COMPLETION
(implementation within six to eighteen months)                     DATE                      DATE
Signed as Completed: ..................................................... Dean/HOS/HOD   Date: ...........................
Comments: Original to be kept by Faculty/Department/Service
Assessment review date:        Annual
Sample
PART 4. NOTIFICATION OF CHANGES
(To be completed by Line Manager and Risk Assessor)
Any significant change to the working activity or equipment must be suitably
assessed.
1) Description of Changes to Activity/Equipment (Brief details only)
None at present
2) New Potential Hazards Associated with Changed Activity/Equipment
N/A
3) Control Measures to be Implemented
No new measures required
Signed: ...................................................................... Dean/HOS/HOD   Date: ........................