Hazards may be identified through a qualitative process, either formal (part of safety
assessment) or informal based on discussions, interviews and brainstorming. Informal
qualitative methodologies are heuristic processes based on expert judgement. They often allow
identifying hazards that other approaches can’t detect. Using both approaches in combination
will provide better and more comprehensive results.
Within published literature, it is recognised that hazards identification must be done
methodically in order to ensure that all areas of operation where hazards may exist have been
identified. It is recommended that among others; design, organisational, work environment
factors, as well as procedures and operating practices are taken into account in the
identification process (Ref. 3 - ICAO SMS Training Manual; Ref. 4 - ICAO Safety Management
Manual).
Existing material should be reviewed with the aim of identifying gaps or hazards. The UK CAA
(Ref. - UK CAA CAP730) suggests a brainstorming exercise, which will allow participants to
identify hazards within the organisation. The FAA-EUROCONTROL Toolbox (Ref. 3 - Section 4:
Overview of Safety Assessment, p.7) suggests that the identification of the hazards may be
done by individual or group-based assessors.
The main challenge for individual and group-based brainstorming sessions involves the
identification of hazards which exist but are difficult to think of. Some approaches have been
developed to cover what might be termed ‘unimaginable hazards’.