Site hazard assessment overview
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One of the primary causes of construction-related incidents and injuries is the failure to identify or recognize hazards present on the jobsite. Therefore, a key component of any effective construction safety program is the implementation of a proactive and continuous process for hazard identification and assessment.
About the site hazard assessments
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Site Hazard Assessments (SHA) are typically initiated before a project begins and are updated throughout its duration, based on the nature of the work and conditions at the jobsite. The official SHA document is usually one of the first submittals provided by the contractor after the notice to proceed is issued. Its purpose is to identify potential hazards or risks before work starts, which can vary significantly from project to project.
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Workers Health and Safety regulator agencies offer pre-construction reviews to assist safety officers in identifying the risks they’ll be monitoring. These risks are documented proactively before any incidents occur.
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The SHA is a dynamic, evolving document. As the project progresses, new potential hazards can be identified and added to the assessment to reflect changing site conditions and activities.
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A final assessment of incidents is typically required at the end of the project. This concluding document serves as a report card and might be necessary for obtaining occupancy permits, substantial completion notices, or the release of retention. Project owners and regulatory agencies might delay or withhold these approvals if the final SHA is not completed and submitted to their satisfaction.
Site hazard assessment example
Project Name: Office Tower
Location: Downtown Seattle, WA
Contractor: Construction Co.
Assessment Date: March 1, 2025
| Hazard | Description | Priority | Mitigation measures | Responsible party |
| Working at heights | Steel framing and roofing work above 20 ft | Imminent danger | Personal protective equipment | Steel subcontractor |
| Noise exposure | Jack hammering and heavy equipment | Serious | Personal protective equipment | Safety officer |
| Public safety | Site adjacent to pedestrian sidewalk | Serious | Safeguard hazard | General contractor |
Ongoing Updates: SHA reviewed bi-weekly during safety meetings.
Final Assessment: To be completed post-project, including incident summary and lessons learned.
Before you begin
- Review the list of site hazard assessment item options in Settings > Feature Settings > QC and Safety.
- Ensure that all companies involved in the site hazard assessment are listed in the project directory. The contacts from these companies who will serve as inspectors will be automatically imported into the site hazard assessment record.