## 3.4 DIAAT Phase 2: Identify Hazards 

## I 

## 3.4.1 Overview 

During the hazard identification phase, identify and document safety issues, their possible causes, and corresponding effects. A hazard  is defined as any real or potential condition that can cause injury, illness, or death to people; damage to or loss of a system, equipment, or property; or damage to the environment. A hazard is a prerequisite to an accident or incident. 

## IDENTIFY HAZARDS 

 Identify hazards  Use a structured approach  Be comprehensive and do not dismiss hazards prematurely  Employ lessons learned and experience supplemented by checklists 

The Air Traffic Organization (ATO) and its employees are responsible for identifying and mitigating hazards with unacceptable risk (i.e., high risk). Likewise, the ATO should determine if hazards with acceptable risk (i.e., medium and low risk) can be further mitigated. The hazard identification stage is integral to all preliminary safety analyses and follow-on, in-depth analyses in determining the appropriate means to address any safety risks associated with a National Airspace System (NAS) change. At this point, decide whether the Safety Risk Management (SRM) document will contain a safety analysis finding with or without hazards (refer to Section 5.4). Refer to Section 3.7.2 for further discussion of risk reduction strategies. Refer to Section 6 for guidance on the signatures required for implementation of the NAS change. 

The following resources and methods can be used to identify hazards: 

• The safety analysis that accompanies the proposed implementation of a new or modified operation, process, or piece of NAS equipment; 

• Air Traffic Safety Action Program and Technical Operations Safety Action Program reports; 

• Air Traffic Safety Oversight Service (AOV) compliance audits; 

• Risk Analysis Processes; 

• National Transportation Safety Board safety recommendations; 

• Audits performed as part of facility-level Quality Control efforts or Safety and Technical Training (AJI) Quality Assurance efforts; and 

• Reports of unsafe conditions in daily operations. 

Refer to Section 7 for information about the various audit and reporting programs and tools. 

## 3.4.2 Potential Sources of Hazards 

The hazard identification stage considers all possible causes of hazards. The use of previous hazard analyses when identifying hazards is important, as it provides consistency in SRM and can reduce the time needed to identify hazards. For example, approved SRM documents on similar NAS changes or earlier integrated assessments, including applicable cross-organizational safety assessments and Independent Operational Assessments, may be useful. Refer to Section 7 for information on the Independent Operational Assessment. 

