Are Your Hazard Assessments Incomplete or Incorrect?

What Exactly is a Hazard Assessment?

A hazard assessment is your formal process for identifying anything that could cause harm in the workplace—whether it’s obvious (like unguarded machinery) or less visible (like ergonomic strain, chemical exposure, or mental health risks). It’s about:

• Finding hazards before they find you.
• Evaluating the risk level (how likely is it to cause harm, and how bad could it be?).
• Deciding on controls to eliminate or reduce that risk.
• Documenting the process so you can prove due diligence.

In Alberta, for example, the OH&S Code, Part 2, spells it out: employers must identify hazards, assess the risks, and implement controls. That’s not a suggestion—it’s the law. You can read it for yourself here: https://www.alberta.ca/ohs-act-regulation-code

The Problem With “Incomplete” or “Incorrect” Assessments

You might think, “We’ve done hazard assessments before—so we’re fine.” Not necessarily. Many companies fail because their assessments are:

1. Too generic – They copy-and-paste a template without customizing it to the actual worksite or tasks.
2. Outdated – Last revised three years ago, even though equipment, processes, or staff have changed.
3. Overlook hazards – Missing entire categories, such as psychosocial hazards or environmental factors.
4. Ignore worker input – Leaving out the people who actually do the job and see the risks daily.
5. Not tied to controls – Listing hazards without explaining how they’ll be eliminated or mitigated.

When an assessment is missing key hazards or control measures, you’re left with a false sense of security—and that’s when incidents happen.

The Risks of Getting It Wrong

An incomplete or incorrect hazard assessment isn’t just bad safety practice—it’s a legal liability and a financial risk.

1. Regulatory Penalties
   In Alberta, an Occupational Health & Safety Officer can issue orders, administrative penalties, or even stop-work orders if hazard assessments aren’t done properly. That can mean fines and public posting of violations, which is never good for business.
2. Worker Injuries & Illnesses
   Missed hazards mean uncontrolled risks. That could lead to serious injuries, illnesses, or worse. Even one missed hazard can cause an incident that changes lives forever.
3. WCB Costs & Premium Increases
   Every injury claim affects your Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) account—and higher claim costs mean higher premiums. Over time, this can add up to thousands of dollars.
4. Loss of Client Confidence
   Many contracts—especially in construction, energy, and manufacturing—require proof of thorough hazard assessments. If your safety documentation is weak, you might lose bids or be removed from projects.

The “Hidden” Hazards Businesses Often Miss

Even well-meaning employers can overlook certain hazard categories. Here are some that regularly slip through the cracks:

1. Ergonomic Risks

Not just for office workers—lifting, repetitive movements, awkward postures, and vibration exposure can lead to musculoskeletal disorders.

1. Psychosocial Hazards

Stress, bullying, harassment, and workload issues can cause mental and physical harm. CSA Z1003 outlines these hazards in detail: https://www.csagroup.org/store/product/CSA%20Z1003%20-13/

1. Seasonal & Environmental Hazards

Think extreme cold, heat stress, icy walkways, wildfire smoke, or poor air quality.

1. Confined Spaces & Isolation

Working alone or in hazardous atmospheres requires very specific controls—and yet these often get glossed over.

1. Chemical Storage & Secondary Containment

It’s not enough to know you have hazardous products—you need to assess how they’re stored, labelled, and handled.

How to Spot a Weak Hazard Assessment

If you’re not sure whether your hazard assessments pass the test, here are a few red flags:

• It doesn’t clearly identify task-specific hazards.
• It was last updated more than 12 months ago—or worse, you can’t remember when.
• It doesn’t show a risk rating for each hazard.
• The controls listed are vague (“be careful” or “follow safe work procedure” without specifics).
• No sign that workers were consulted in the process.
• The one thing we often see that is wrong, is that the hazards identified are NOT the actual hazards.

If any of these sound familiar, it’s time for a review.

Best Practices for Getting Hazard Assessments Right

1. Involve the Right People

Bring in workers, supervisors, safety reps, and subject matter experts. People doing the work often see hazards management doesn’t.

1. Break It Down by Task

Instead of one giant generic assessment, create separate hazard assessments for each job, process, or location.

1. Use a Risk Matrix

A risk matrix helps you evaluate how severe a hazard is and how likely it is to cause harm. This ensures your controls are prioritized correctly.

1. Update Regularly

Anytime there’s a change in equipment, process, staffing, or location—your hazard assessments need a review.

1. Don’t Forget the “Non-Obvious” Hazards

Noise, vibration, shift work, mental health, and even workplace culture can be sources of harm.

Why It Matters Now More Than Ever

Canadian workplaces are facing increased scrutiny from regulators, clients, and even employees when it comes to safety. The public expects more transparency, and workers are more aware of their rights. With the Alberta OH&S Act empowering workers to refuse dangerous work, you can’t afford to be caught with an incomplete hazard assessment when a worker raises a concern.

And let’s not forget—hazards evolve. Technology changes, job demands shift, and even the mental health climate in workplaces can introduce new risks. If you’re still relying on an assessment from “back when we opened,” you’re already behind.

Final Thoughts

Hazard assessments aren’t just another OH&S requirement—they’re your first line of defence against accidents, injuries, and costly shutdowns. An incomplete or incorrect assessment doesn’t just break the rules—it breaks trust, puts workers at risk, and exposes your business to serious consequences.

At Calgary Safety Consultants, we take the guesswork out of the process. We help you identify every hazard, assess risks accurately, and put practical controls in place so your workplace stays safe, compliant, and productive.

If you’re not 100% sure your hazard assessments are complete and correct—let’s talk. Book a consultation and we’ll review them with you. Your team’s safety, your legal compliance, and your business reputation are worth it.

Connect with us here and let us help you improve your OH&S practices. 

Because a safer workplace starts with smarter policy. Let’s build it together.

About the author

John Duplessis, B.Sc., CRSP

President and Principal Health & Safety Consultant

John Duplessis is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional with more than 30 years of occupational health and safety experience in oil and gas, construction, green energy, midstream operations, and industrial project work.

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