Seeing Risks in Real Time: Proactive Hazard Identification

There are three main ways to identify hazards in aviation: Predictive, Proactive, and Reactive. Each has its role, and together they give us foresight, insight, and hindsight into safety.

On Monday, we looked into the crystal ball with predictive hazard identification, spotting risks by analyzing trends and anticipating the future. Today, we shift to the proactive method, which is about using what we know here and now to identify hazards before an activity takes place.

Proactive hazard identification: finding risks in real time.

What Is Proactive Hazard Identification?

Proactive hazard identification is the deliberate effort to uncover hazards in current operations, tasks, or environments, before they cause harm.

Unlike predictive methods, which analyze data to forecast what might happen in the future, proactive methods focus on today’s activities and conditions. And unlike reactive methods, proactive practices don’t wait for something to go wrong.

It’s about asking: “If we do this now, what could go wrong — and how do we prevent it?”

Compliance Audits

Compliance audits are more than just routine checks. When approached with the right mindset, they are a proactive tool for uncovering hazards before they escalate.

For example, an audit might reveal a pattern of incomplete training records. Identified proactively, this gap can be corrected before it results in unqualified personnel performing safety-critical tasks.

Voluntary Reporting

Mandatory occurrence reporting is usually reactive, it documents what has already happened. Voluntary reporting, however, is proactive.

These reports capture small concerns and near-misses that provide early warning signs of hazards.

For instance, a ground crew member voluntarily reporting a recurring near-miss with baggage cart positioning gives the organization a chance to act before it leads to equipment damage or injury.

Voluntary reporting makes the invisible visible, giving the organization a real-time window into where the system may be fragile.

Normal Operation Schemes

Proactive hazard identification also happens through the structured routines of everyday safety management.

Regular activities such as yearly safety training, refresher courses, or operational briefings give staff the chance to discuss the ongoing operation openly. These discussions often surface hazards that might not be visible in audits or reports, but are very real in day-to-day practice.

For example, during annual safety training, flight crews and ground staff may point out small procedural gaps or operational difficulties that haven’t yet resulted in an incident but could develop into hazards if ignored.

These “normal operation schemes” ensure that hazard identification is not a one-off event, but a continuous part of the organization’s rhythm.

Proactive Risk Assessments

Proactive risk assessments look at planned or ongoing activities and identify hazards before they begin.

This is different from predictive analysis, which relies on data trends to forecast the future. Proactive assessments use current, known information about a specific operation or change.

For example, before winter operations begin, a proactive risk assessment might highlight hazards such as icy ramps, de-icing fluid handling, or reduced visibility. By addressing these risks in advance, operators ensure the season starts with stronger safeguards in place.

Why Proactive Hazard Identification Matters

• It builds a culture of vigilance, where hazards are sought out before they manifest.

• It empowers staff at every level to act as “safety sensors,” identifying weak spots in daily operations.

• It ensures organizations can respond to risks in the present moment, rather than relying only on hindsight.

Looking Ahead

Predictive hazard identification gives us foresight. Proactive hazard identification gives us insight, the ability to spot hazards in today’s operations before they become safety events. On Friday, we’ll close the series with reactive hazard identification, learning from what has already happened.

👉 Discussion question: What proactive practices have you found most effective in keeping hazards visible in daily operations?