Building and maintaining a centralized Hazard Library is the foundation of proactive risk management. In Serenity, users with the Risk Admin role are responsible for creating and managing this library — ensuring consistency, accuracy, and visibility across all risk assessments performed within the organization.
Why Start with a Hazard Library?
Establishing a standardized hazard library ensures that all sites and teams use a common set of hazard definitions when performing risk assessments. This consistency allows organizations to:
Identify recurring or systemic hazards across multiple assessments
Improve reporting accuracy and trend analysis
Prioritize mitigation efforts for the most frequent or highest-risk hazards
Strengthen communication across EHS teams and leadership
By maintaining a shared hazard library, EHS leaders can quickly see where the greatest risks lie — and allocate resources more effectively to prevent incidents before they occur.
Out-of-the-Box Hazard Categories
Serenity comes pre-populated with a comprehensive set of hazards across multiple categories, including (but not limited to):
Physical Hazards – e.g., noise, vibration, heat/cold stress, slips and trips
Electrical Hazards – e.g., arc flash, electric shock, high voltage
Ergonomic Hazards – e.g., manual material handling, awkward postures, repetitive motion
Chemical and Hazardous Materials – e.g., flammable materials, chemical spills, sensitizing substances
Biological Hazards – e.g., exposure to bacteria, viruses, or bloodborne pathogens
Environmental Hazards – e.g., confined spaces, poor lighting, extreme temperatures
These predefined entries provide a strong starting point for most organizations. However, every operation is unique — and Serenity makes it easy to expand or tailor the library as new or emerging risks are identified.
Linked Control Options
Each hazard record can include one or more Control Options — predefined methods or measures that help reduce the likelihood or severity of the associated risk.
For example, under the hazard “Awkward Postures”, the control options might include:
💡 Tip: Linking controls directly to hazards builds traceability between identified risks and the preventive measures designed to manage them — a key element of ISO 45001 and OSHA risk management standards.
Viewing and Managing the Hazard Library
To review existing hazards:
Navigate to Settings → Risk Assessments → Hazards
Use the search bar or category filters to locate hazards quickly
Click any hazard number (e.g., RISK0001028) to view or edit its details and linked controls
Add a new control by clicking the “New” button at the top of the page.
The list view displays:
Category – hazard grouping (e.g., Ergonomic, Electrical, Chemical)
Hazard Name – the title of the hazard
Description – summary of potential harm
Active Status – availability for use
Domain – identifies system defaults vs. organization-specific hazards
Creating a New Hazard
When users create a new hazard, they are presented with the Hazard form (shown below).
Here, Risk Admins can define the essential characteristics of the hazard and link it directly to relevant control options — creating an immediate connection between identified risks and mitigation strategies.
🖼️ Example: Creating a new Ergonomic hazard (“Awkward Postures”) with related controls.
Fields on the Hazard Form
When adding a new hazard, complete the following fields:
Name: The title of the hazard (e.g., “Awkward Postures”)
Category: The broader classification (e.g., Physical, Ergonomic, Electrical, etc.).
Hazard Description: A concise explanation of the hazard and how it can cause harm (e.g., “Involves maintaining uncomfortable or unnatural body positions for extended periods, leading to musculoskeletal strain.”).
Applicability Question: A simple, yes/no question to help assess whether this hazard applies during a risk assessment (e.g., “Do individuals need to maintain awkward or uncomfortable postures while performing tasks?)
Active: Indicates whether the hazard is available for use in new risk assessments.
Once the form is complete, click Save. The hazard is added to the library and becomes selectable when conducting risk assessments.
Adding Control Options to a Hazard
Once a hazard has been created, users with the Risk Admin role can add control options directly from the Hazard record.
In the lower portion of the hazard form, you’ll see a Control Options list, displaying any existing controls linked to that hazard.
Click New to add a new control option.
🖼️ Example: Adding control options to the hazard “Awkward Postures.”
Control Option Form Fields
Each control option includes several key fields:
Name: Enter a clear, descriptive name for the control. For example, “Adjustable Workstations” or “Guarding on Rotating Equipment.”
Control Description: Provide a short explanation of what the control involves and how it mitigates the hazard. For instance, “Provide adjustable desks, chairs, and monitor stands to allow workers to customize their posture and reduce strain.”
Risk Reduction Factor: Estimate how much this control reduces the associated risk, expressed as a percentage. For example, if a control is expected to cut the likelihood or severity of injury in half, you might assign a 50% reduction factor.
Active: Check this box if the control should be available for selection during risk assessments.
Risk (Hazard): This field is automatically populated with the hazard you’re working on.
Once the form is complete, click Save. The control will now appear in the list of available controls for that hazard.
💡 Tip: The Risk Reduction Factor helps translate qualitative controls into quantitative impact, allowing your team to track residual risk more accurately.
Best Practices
Start with the defaults — Use Serenity’s preloaded hazard categories, hazards, and controls as your foundation.
Add as your program matures — Introduce new hazards as emerging risks or operational changes occur.
Link controls immediately — Always associate relevant controls to reinforce proactive mitigation.
Use your hazard data strategically — Review trends regularly to identify your most frequent and highest-risk hazards, and adjust mitigation programs accordingly.
By maintaining a well-curated and actively managed hazard library, your organization ensures that every risk assessment — whether for a task, process, or piece of equipment — is built on a consistent, data-driven foundation that strengthens hazard awareness and prevention across the enterprise.