Why Updating Your Hazard Register and Safety Risk Profile Matters
Ensuring Safety Decisions Are Informed, Accurate, and Funded
Many aviation executives understand the importance of safety policies and compliance requirements, but may not be actively involved in the Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) process or the creation and maintenance of the Safety Risk Profile. These tools provide the foundation for meaningful safety improvements and strategic funding decisions. An outdated or incomplete Safety Risk Profile means that your organization could be missing high-priority risks — or worse, misallocating resources to lower-priority issues.
Understanding the HIRA Process
The HIRA process is designed to systematically identify, assess, and prioritize risks across your operations. It follows three key steps:
Hazard Identification – Cataloging potential hazards from various sources, including:
Incident and near-miss reports
Staff feedback
External audits and inspections
Regulatory changes
Equipment or operational changes
Risk Assessment – Evaluating each hazard’s likelihood and severity to assign a risk rating. This creates a prioritized list of hazards based on their impact on operations and safety.
Control and Mitigation – Developing strategies to eliminate or reduce high-rated risks. This may involve procedural changes, equipment upgrades, training, or policy adjustments.
Creating a Safety Risk Profile
The Safety Risk Profile reflects the outcome of the HIRA process. It is a dynamic tool that should be reviewed and updated at least annually to ensure it accurately reflects the current risk landscape. A strong Safety Risk Profile should:
✅ List all identified hazards with their associated risk ratings
✅ Highlight the highest-priority risks requiring immediate attention
✅ Include details on current control measures and their effectiveness
✅ Recommend future mitigation strategies and resource needs
✅ Link directly to the organization's safety objectives and funding strategy
Checklist for Executives: Ensuring the Process Works
For executives who may not be directly involved in the HIRA process, here’s a quick checklist to ensure your team is managing it effectively:
✅ Annual Review: When was the last time the Safety Risk Profile was updated? It should reflect the latest incident data, operational changes, and external factors.
✅ Prioritization: Are the highest-rated risks directly influencing funding and resource allocation?
✅ Mitigation Tracking: Are control measures effective, and is there a plan to monitor and update them?
✅ Operational Changes: Have infrastructure changes, new equipment, or staff shifts introduced new hazards that are reflected in the register?
✅ Feedback Loop: Are front-line employees regularly providing input into the HIRA process?
Strategic Value to Executives
An accurate Safety Risk Profile ensures that resources are allocated to the most critical safety issues — not just the most visible ones. When linked to strategic objectives, it drives smarter decision-making and strengthens the organization’s overall safety culture.
Need to Strengthen Your Process?
Acclivix’s next HIRA and Safety Case course is scheduled for June 2–3, 2025. This course provides hands-on guidance for building an effective HIRA process and creating a Safety Risk Profile that works. Learn how to integrate these tools into your strategic planning and operational goals. Register today!