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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:.......................................................
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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: .........................................
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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
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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: ........................