Hazard Analysis
What is a Hazard and Risk Register?
Vinit Pandey · Published 4 August 2026
In short: A hazard and risk register is a structured, maintained record of identified hazards, their assessed risk, and the status of any recommended risk reduction action, serving as the ongoing link between hazard analysis studies and their real-world closure.
Key takeaways
- A hazard register originates from HAZID/HAZOP but should continue evolving after the study concludes
- Its primary ongoing value is tracking recommendation closure, not just recording findings
- Traceability to originating and subsequent studies supports revalidation scoping and investigations
- Register currency and closure rates are a common leading indicator reviewed in safety audits
A hazard register originates from studies such as HAZID and HAZOP, capturing each identified hazard or deviation along with its assessed likelihood and consequence, but a well-maintained register continues to evolve after the originating study concludes.
The register's primary ongoing value is tracking action closure: a recommendation identified during a HAZOP is only a risk reduction on paper until the corresponding equipment or procedural change is actually implemented and verified, and the register is what prevents recommendations from being forgotten.
A mature hazard register links entries back to their originating study and forward to any subsequent studies or incidents that reference the same hazard, providing traceability that supports revalidation scoping and incident investigation.
Regulatory inspections and safety audits commonly review hazard register currency and action closure rates as a leading indicator of whether a facility's process safety management system is functioning in practice, not just on paper.