National Safe Work Month October 2025
Week 1: Identify Hazards – The First Step in Risk Management
When it comes to workplace safety, identifying hazards is the crucial first step in the risk management process. Before you can control risks, you need to know exactly what you’re dealing with. Hazards aren’t always obvious, and they can change over time, which is why regular reviews and proactive checks are essential.
What Is a Hazard?
A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm to a person’s physical health, psychological wellbeing, or both. Hazards can take many forms, including:
-
Physical hazards: Unsafe machinery, slippery floors, poor lighting, electrical faults, or extreme temperatures.
-
Chemical hazards: Exposure to toxic substances, fumes, or cleaning products.
-
Biological hazards: Viruses, bacteria, or mould in the workplace.
-
Psychosocial hazards: Bullying, high workloads, poor job design, or stress-inducing environments.
Recognising that harm isn’t limited to physical injuries is vital. Psychological hazards can be just as damaging, impacting mental health, productivity, and workplace culture.
Why Regular Reviews Matter
Even if your workplace already has a risk register or a detailed safety plan, hazards can emerge as work processes, staff, equipment, or the environment change. For example:
-
A new piece of machinery might introduce moving parts or noise hazards.
-
Seasonal weather changes could create slips, trips, and falls.
-
Staff turnover may affect how tasks are performed and supervised.
Regularly reviewing your hazard list ensures new risks are captured before they lead to incidents.
Steps to Identify Hazards
Here are some practical ways to stay ahead:
-
Walkthrough Inspections: Conduct regular site inspections to look for physical risks such as leaks, clutter, or damaged equipment.
-
Consult Your Team: Employees are often the first to notice hazards. Encourage open reporting and feedback.
-
Review Records: Examine incident reports, maintenance logs, and near-miss records to spot recurring problems.
-
Assess Non-Physical Risks: Evaluate work schedules, job demands, and workplace culture to uncover psychological hazards.
Building a Safer Workplace
Identifying hazards isn’t a one off task. It’s an ongoing process that sets the foundation for effective risk management. By being proactive and involving your team, you can create a safer, healthier, and more productive workplace.
This October, during National Safe Work Month 2025, make hazard identification your workplace’s focus and take a strong step toward a safer future.