Each Risk Assessment Template in Serenity can include a predefined list of hazards. Adding hazards to a template ensures that assessors focus on the most relevant and consistent hazards for the type of assessment being performed — whether it’s a Job Hazard Analysis (JHA), Equipment Risk Assessment, or Facility Risk Review.
This configuration is optional but plays an important role in controlling which hazards appear during assessments, depending on how the template’s “Pre-populate assessments with template hazards” setting is configured.
Understanding How the Hazard List Works
The behavior of the template hazard list changes based on whether the Pre-populate assessments with template hazards option (on the Details tab) is checked or unchecked.
If checked: All hazards defined on this tab will automatically be added to every assessment created from the template. Assessors will be required to review each hazard and determine its applicability or assign risk ratings as appropriate.
This approach is useful for structured or standardized risk assessments where each hazard must be evaluated, such as:Facility or Area Risk Assessments – where assessors must review standard hazards like fire safety, chemical exposure, or slips/trips across all sites.
Process Safety Assessments – where a consistent list of process hazards (e.g., pressure release, chemical reaction, confined space) must be reviewed.
Equipment Risk Assessments – where each machine or tool is evaluated against standard physical and mechanical hazards.
If unchecked: The list of hazards here acts as a restricted set — limiting assessors to only those hazards defined in this list.
Assessors will not be able to add new hazards or select from the full hazard library.
This option is best used for specialized templates where only specific hazards are relevant (for example, a Biological Risk Assessment limited to infectious agents, allergens, and toxins).
If unchecked and no hazards are listed: Assessors will have full access to the organization’s Hazard Library and can also create new hazards during the assessment process.
This setup is common for Job Hazard Analyses (JHAs), where assessors are expected to identify and record only the hazards that are actually present during a task review.
Adding Hazards to a Template
To add hazards to a template:
Open the desired Risk Assessment Template (e.g., Job Hazard Analysis).
Select the Hazard List tab.
Click Add hazards to template.
If no hazards have been added yet, you’ll see an illustration and message indicating that the template currently has no hazards defined.
When you click Add hazards to template, a selection window appears displaying hazards from your organization’s hazard library, grouped by category (e.g., Biological, Electrical, Ergonomic).
From here, you can:
Use the checkboxes to select one or more hazards to include.
Expand categories to view all available hazards.
Review each hazard’s Description and Applicability Question to confirm relevance.
Create new hazards or categories directly from this screen, if needed.
Once you’ve selected the appropriate hazards, click Add to template.
Viewing and Managing Hazards on the Template
After hazards are added, they appear on the Hazard List tab under their respective categories. Each hazard shows its name and description for quick reference.
From here, you can:
Review and edit existing hazards.
Remove hazards that no longer apply.
Add additional hazards at any time by selecting + Add more hazards.
Any changes made here will affect future risk assessments created from this template but will not retroactively alter assessments already in progress or completed.
Best Practices
Tailor hazard lists to assessment type. Include only those hazards that are likely to apply to the process, equipment, or area being assessed.
Avoid overloading templates. Large hazard lists can slow down assessments and make it harder for assessors to focus on what truly matters.
Use “Pre-populate with template hazards” selectively. Reserve this setting for structured assessments (such as facility or process reviews) where each hazard must be evaluated for applicability. Leave it unchecked for JHAs or dynamic assessments where assessors identify hazards in the field.
Review periodically. Update the hazard lists annually or whenever new hazards are introduced, processes change, or organizational standards are revised.
By configuring template hazards effectively, Serenity users can balance flexibility with consistency — ensuring that every risk assessment captures the right level of detail for its purpose, whether it’s a focused task review or a comprehensive risk study.