How often should hazard assessments be conducted?

Hazard assessments should be conducted regularly and whenever changes occur in the workplace to ensure a safe working environment. This approach allows organizations to proactively identify and mitigate risks before they lead to incidents. Regular assessments help maintain a continuous focus on safety, while also accommodating any changes to processes, equipment, materials, or workforce dynamics that could introduce new hazards. This flexibility is critical for adapting to evolving work conditions and ensuring that safety measures remain effective.

Conducting assessments only once a year or at fixed intervals may overlook immediate issues that arise due to operational changes, potentially leaving employees exposed to unforeseen risks. Additionally, only assessing after a serious incident can lead to a reactive rather than proactive safety culture, which is less effective in preventing accidents. Regular and responsive assessment is therefore the most reliable method for maintaining workplace safety.