HAZID Represents – Hazard Identification. It is a risk assessment and management tool used to identify inherent hazards/risks in a process or system. By identifying these hazards/risks early, guided actions can be taken to eliminate the hazard or control the effect of exposure.
It is a means of identifying and describing hazards and threats at the earliest practicable stage of development.
HAZID Study
A HAZID (Hazard Identification) Study is a systematic process used to identify potential hazards and assess their risks in industrial and operational settings. It aims to detect issues that could compromise safety, health, or the environment, ensuring preventive measures are in place before any incident occurs. By involving multidisciplinary teams, a HAZID Study helps organizations proactively manage risks, enhancing overall safety and operational efficiency. This process is essential for maintaining regulatory compliance and protecting assets and personnel.
Benefits of Conducting a HAZID Study
The benefits of the HAZID study include, but are not limited to:
- Reveal hazards at an early stage, before they happen.
- Guide in the elimination or control of the hazard/risk.
- Any special preparations required to handle these can be pre-planned.
- Avoid budget overruns since the hazards/risks are controlled early.
- Provide essential input to project development decisions.
- Any specific process modifications, if required, can be established at an early stage.
- Establish safeguards to manage hazards; identify areas where further understanding of safeguard effectiveness is needed.
NOTE: The scope of this study will depend on the particular project, task, or process.
Read Also: HAZOP study | Steps to carry out a HAZOP study
When HAZID Should Be Done
Generally speaking, Hazard identification can be done at any time; what will be different is the depth of the study at the different times.
For example, Hazard identification carried out during job design will be different from what is done for an ongoing process.
Be it as it may, here are some points where hazard identification can be done:
- During design and implementation
- Before tasks are done
- While tasks are being done
- During inspections
- After incidents
HAZID Methodology
The methodology adopted in this study is a combination of identification, analysis, and brainstorming by the HAZID team members. Also, appropriate controls are put in place to prevent or control each identified threat at the end of the study.
This study can be carried out for a singular task or a process. For process HAZID, the study may be conducted on a session basis, grouping the processes with the PFD (Process Flow Diagram) and plant layout into a series of sections where the various sources will have similar characteristics and hence consequences.
Read Also: Failure analysis – Methods and Steps for carrying it out
This study is not done by one person but by a team. Assembling a competent team is one of the hallmarks of a successful study.
This team will include:
- Design Consultant / Project Manager
- Production Manager
- Chemical engineer / Chemist
- Maintenance Manager
- Electrical Engineer
- Instrument Engineer
- Quality Control Engineer
- HSE Representative, etc.
Within the team, a lead facilitator should be nominated to lead the study. The lead facilitator should be a competent and experienced person in the conduct of the HAZID study.
Steps to Carry out HAZID Study
Step 1: Define the Scope and Objectives
Before starting, clearly define what you are assessing and why.
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Decide if it’s for a new project, a design phase, or an existing operation.
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Determine the boundaries (which part of the process, facility, or system will be reviewed).
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Identify the team’s objectives — e.g., identifying potential hazards that can impact safety, environment, or operation.
Example: Assessing hazards during the early design of a new chemical storage facility.
Step 2: Assemble a Multidisciplinary Team
A HAZID is a brainstorming workshop — so you need people with diverse expertise.
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Include process engineers, operations staff, maintenance, safety officers, and project managers.
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Assign a facilitator (someone experienced in leading HAZID workshops).
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Appoint a scribe/recorder to document discussions and findings.
Tip: Each member provides a different perspective and helps ensure no hazards are overlooked.
Step 3: Collect and Review Relevant Information
Before the session, gather all technical and operational documents that the team will need.
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Process flow diagrams (PFDs)
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Layout drawings or plot plans
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Equipment data sheets
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Material Safety Data Sheets (OSHA MSDS/SDS)
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Applicable codes and standards
Goal: Make sure everyone understands the system being assessed.
Step 4: Divide the System into Nodes or Areas
Break the system or facility into manageable sections (nodes) for detailed discussion.
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By location (e.g., storage area, pump house, control room)
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By activity or operation (e.g., loading, transfer, maintenance)
Benefit: Keeps the review organized and ensures full coverage.
Step 5: Identify Hazards Using Guidewords
Use structured guidewords or prompts to systematically look for hazards in each node.
Common hazard categories include:
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Fire and explosion
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Toxic release or chemical spill
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Mechanical hazards (moving parts, pressure)
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Electrical hazards
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Environmental hazards (leaks, noise, emissions)
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Human factors (errors, fatigue)
Tip: Brainstorm freely. Encourage all ideas — no idea is dismissed during this phase.
Step 6: Analyze Causes and Consequences
For each identified hazard, analyze:
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Causes (what can make it happen)
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Consequences (what could happen if it occurs)
Example: Flammable vapor leak ➜ ignition ➜ fire or explosion.
This helps prioritize which hazards are most critical.
Step 7: Evaluate Existing Controls and Safeguards
Review what controls are already in place to prevent or mitigate the hazard.
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Engineering controls (automatic shutoffs, alarms)
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Administrative controls (procedures, training)
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Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Goal: Understand if current measures are adequate or if more are needed.
Step 8: Recommend Additional Risk Reduction Measures
If risks are not adequately controlled, propose specific actions.
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Design modifications
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Additional safety devices
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Training, procedures, or signage
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Maintenance or inspection plans
Tip: Assign responsible persons and target dates for follow-up actions.
Step 9: Document the Findings
Compile all identified hazards, causes, consequences, safeguards, and recommendations in a HAZID report.
Include:
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Scope and objectives
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Team members
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Method used
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Hazard register table
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Action list with responsible persons and deadlines
Benefit: Creates a record for future reference and follow-up.
Step 10: Review and Follow Up
After the workshop:
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Share the report with stakeholders.
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Track the implementation of recommendations.
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Update the HAZID study when design or operational changes occur.
Goal: Make HAZID a living document, not a one-time activity.
Summary
Plan ➜ Gather Team ➜ Review Info ➜ Break into Nodes ➜ Identify Hazards ➜ Analyze Risks ➜ Evaluate Controls ➜ Recommend Actions ➜ Document ➜ Follow Up.
Other information needed when identifying hazards is:
- Information about the hazards present or likely to be present in the workplace.
- Information from the conduct of initial and periodic workplace inspections is used to identify new or recurring hazards.
- Information from the incident investigation.
- Information from trend analysis
- Information from the severity and likelihood analysis of incidents that could result from each hazard identified, and use this information to prioritize corrective actions.
Backup documents for effective hazard identification
Some important documents are good sources of information when carrying out hazard identification.
These documents may be internal documents or external documents.
Example of internal documents:
- Equipment and machinery operating manuals.
- Safety Data Sheets (SDS) are provided by chemical manufacturers.
- Self-inspection reports and inspection reports from insurance carriers, government agencies, and consultants.
- Records of previous injuries and illnesses, such as OSHA 300 and 301 logs and reports of incident investigations.
- Workers’ compensation records and reports.
- Patterns of frequently occurring injuries and illnesses.
- Exposure monitoring results, industrial hygiene assessments, and medical records (appropriately redacted to ensure patient/worker privacy).
- Existing safety and health programs (lockout/tagout, confined spaces, process safety management, personal protective equipment, etc.).
- Results of job hazard analyses, also known as job safety analyses.
External documents:
- OSHA, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) websites, publications, and alerts.
- Trade associations.
- Labor unions, state and local occupational safety and health committees/coalitions (“COSH groups”), and worker advocacy groups.
- Safety and health consultants.
- Information from other national regulatory bodies.
Read Also: FMEA analysis – What it is and how it is done
Standardize HAZID Excel template workbook
The HAZID Excel Template workbook is easy to use and customizable to your needs.
This is a product of CGE Risk Management Solutions.
See the guide on the use of the template workbook here.
Follow the link to contact them for the template workbook.
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