Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) in Maintenance Works

Abstract

Maintenance is a common activity across all workplaces and sectors, involving personnel at every level. Maintenance is necessary for preserving safe and healthy working conditions, however, poorly managed maintenance may pose significant health and safety hazards. This study was conducted to identify the potential hazards and evaluate the risks in maintenance works. The data were collected through observation of maintenance works in the workplace during the period of study. The likelihood and severity of the hazards were used to establish the risk assessment, which was then used to determine the risk levels. The results indicated that the identified hazards fell into high (8.6%), medium (57.1%), and low (34.3%) risk levels. Most of the maintenance activities were found to be safe. The high-risk level of hazard occurred during maintenance of the lift and water pipe leakage. The person in charge of the work that involves high risk should be well-trained and competent to prevent accidents among the maintenance workers. Employers must regularly assess and examine all the hazards in order for the planned safety measures to be successful. Implementing precautionary measures and increasing worker familiarity with the standard operating procedure (SOP) can help prevent an accident.