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Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) Course

Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment (HIRA) Course

Equip your team to identify, assess, and manage workplace risks. Fully compliant with the South African OHS Act (Act 85 of 1993). Available in Somerset West, Cape Town, and the Western Cape.

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Proactive Workplace Safety Management

Our Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) course is designed to equip learners with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge required to effectively identify, assess, and manage workplace risks.

Participants will learn how to proactively create a safer working environment by understanding the legal framework surrounding risk management, evaluating potential hazards, and implementing robust control measures to prevent incidents, injuries, and occupational diseases.

Who Should Attend?

This training is critical for personnel responsible for maintaining workplace safety and regulatory compliance, including:

  • Health & Safety Representatives
  • SHEQ Officers
  • Supervisors & Line Managers
  • Compliance & Operations Managers
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Key Learning Outcomes

A structured breakdown of the critical competencies your team will master during this HIRA course.

Legal Requirements Understand the strict legal requirements for risk assessments under the South African OHS Act.
Hazards vs. Risks Clearly differentiate between hazards and risks across various high-risk workplace environments.
Types of Assessments Learn to conduct Baseline, Issue-Based, and Continuous Risk Assessments effectively.
Hierarchy of Controls Apply the Hierarchy of Controls to systematically mitigate, isolate, or eliminate identified risks.
Documentation Complete and maintain accurate HIRA documentation, reporting logs, and up-to-date risk registers.

Key Business Benefits

Investing in accredited HIRA training protects your people, your assets, and your business’s legal standing under the OHS Act.

Legal Compliance

Avoid Department of Labour penalties by proving proactive risk management and OHS Act compliance.

Cost Reduction

Prevent costly operational downtime, equipment damage, and legal liability by identifying risks before incidents occur.

Efficiency

Streamline your safety reporting and compliance documentation processes with properly trained staff.

Workplace Safety

Cultivate a proactive safety culture that protects your most valuable asset — your staff.

Risk assessment matrix used in HIRA training

A typical risk assessment matrix — used to rate likelihood and severity when scoring identified hazards.

Industries We Serve

HIRA is a universal legal requirement, but it’s especially critical in high-risk sectors. We deliver customised risk assessment training tailored to the specific hazards of your industry.

Agriculture

Farms and agri-processing operations face risks from machinery, chemicals, and manual handling — HIRA training helps identify and control these hazards.

Hospitality

Hotels, guesthouses, and venues need structured risk assessments to protect guests and staff from fire, slip, and food safety hazards.

Construction

Construction sites carry some of the highest risk exposure. Our training equips site teams to identify hazards before they cause harm.

Manufacturing

Factories and production lines require ongoing risk assessment around machinery, chemical handling, and process safety.

Engineering

Engineering workshops and technical facilities benefit from structured HIRA processes covering equipment, electrical, and mechanical risks.

Aerospace

High-precision aerospace environments demand rigorous risk management aligned with strict industry compliance standards.

Retail

Retail stores and shopping centres need practical risk assessments covering public safety, stock handling, and emergency procedures.

Property Management

Residential estates, office parks, and body corporates rely on trained staff to manage risk across shared facilities and common areas.

Service Areas

Based in Somerset West, Instruman provides accredited HIRA training to businesses across the Helderberg area and the greater Western Cape.

Somerset West & The Helderberg Area

Our home base — delivering on-site HIRA training to businesses throughout Somerset West and the surrounding Helderberg region.

Cape Town CBD & Industrial Zones

On-site risk assessment training for offices, warehouses, and industrial sites across Cape Town.

Stellenbosch & The Winelands

Serving estates, hospitality venues, and agricultural operations throughout the Winelands region.

Broader Western Cape

Flexible on-site training available across the Western Cape to suit your business’s location and schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a HIRA course?

HIRA stands for Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment. It is a structured training programme that teaches employees how to identify potential workplace dangers, assess the likelihood of an incident, and put safety controls in place to prevent accidents.

Is HIRA training mandatory in South Africa?

Yes. Section 8(2)(d) of the South African Occupational Health and Safety Act (Act 85 of 1993) requires employers to establish what hazards exist in the workplace and implement necessary precautionary measures. HIRA training ensures your staff are competent to fulfil this legal requirement.

What is the difference between a hazard and a risk?

A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm (e.g., a trailing cable, a toxic chemical). A risk is the likelihood or probability that the hazard will actually cause harm, combined with the severity of that harm (e.g., the chance of someone tripping over the cable and breaking a bone).

Can Instruman conduct the HIRA training on-site?

Yes, we highly recommend on-site training for corporate groups across Somerset West, Cape Town, and the Western Cape. Training at your own premises allows the facilitator to use your actual workplace environment for practical risk assessment exercises.

What documentation will learners be able to complete after the course?

Learners will be competent in drafting and maintaining critical safety documentation, including Baseline Risk Assessments, Issue-Based Assessments, Continuous Risk Logs, and comprehensive Risk Registers required by OHS inspectors.

Build a Proactive Safety Culture

Ensure your business meets strict OHS compliance while protecting your workforce from preventable incidents. Contact Instruman today to schedule your HIRA training.

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