Hazard Register

The hazard register is the central repository for all identified safety hazards within an organization. Required by 14 CFR 5.53, it captures every condition that could foreseeably cause or contribute to an aircraft accident, tracks the risk controls applied to each hazard, and documents the residual risk the organization has accepted. The register provides the foundation for Safety Risk Management (SRM) and feeds directly into Safety Assurance monitoring under 14 CFR 5.71.

Hazard Statuses

Every hazard in the register moves through a defined lifecycle from initial identification to closure.

Status	API Value	Description
Draft	`draft`	Entry created but not yet reviewed. The hazard has been identified but has not been formally evaluated through the SRM process.
Active	`active`	Identified and under active monitoring. Risk controls may be in development or already in place. The hazard is part of the organization’s ongoing risk portfolio.
Mitigated	`mitigated`	Controls have been implemented and residual risk has been reassessed. The hazard remains in the register for continued monitoring under Safety Assurance (14 CFR 5.71).
Accepted	`accepted`	Formally accepted at the appropriate management level with documented rationale. The residual risk is within the organization’s acceptable risk criteria.
Closed	`closed`	The hazard no longer exists or has been fully mitigated. The record is retained for historical reference and regulatory compliance but no longer requires active monitoring.

Status Lifecycle

A hazard may move from Mitigated back to Active if Safety Assurance monitoring reveals that controls are no longer effective, per 14 CFR 5.75.

Hazard Fields

Field	Type	Required	Description
`code`	String	Auto	Auto-generated tracking code (e.g., `HAZ-2026-0042`).
`title`	String	Yes	Brief description of the hazard condition.
`description`	Text	Yes	Detailed narrative explaining the hazard — what it is, where it exists, and what systems or processes it affects.
`category`	Enum	Yes	Classification of the hazard domain. See the categories table below.
`source`	Enum	Yes	How the hazard was identified: `report`, `investigation`, `audit`, `industry_data`, or `operational_experience`.
`owner`	User reference	Yes	The person responsible for managing this hazard and its controls.
`status`	Enum	Auto	Current lifecycle status.
`initial_risk`	Object	Yes	Severity (1—5) and likelihood (A—E) rating before controls. Produces a risk index and zone.
`controls`	Array	No	List of risk controls applied to this hazard. See the controls table below.
`residual_risk`	Object	No	Severity and likelihood rating after controls are in place.
`next_review_date`	Date	Yes	When this hazard is next due for review.
`review_frequency`	Enum	Yes	How often the hazard must be reviewed: `monthly`, `quarterly`, `semi_annual`, or `annual`.
`linked_reports`	Array	No	Safety reports that identified or relate to this hazard.
`linked_investigations`	Array	No	Investigations that uncovered or analyzed this hazard.
`linked_cpas`	Array	No	Corrective and Preventive Actions addressing this hazard.
`linked_moc`	Array	No	Management of Change records associated with this hazard.
`created_at`	Timestamp	Auto	Record creation timestamp (UTC).
`updated_at`	Timestamp	Auto	Last modification timestamp (UTC).

Hazard Categories

Hazard Category Classification

| Category | API Value | Description | Examples | |----------|---------------|-------------|----------| | Flight Operations | flight_ops | Hazards related to flight conduct, procedures, and airborne operations. | Unstable approaches, runway excursions, CFIT risk areas, altitude deviations. | | Maintenance | maintenance | Hazards related to aircraft maintenance, inspections, and airworthiness. | Overdue inspections, tooling deficiencies, parts quality, MEL management. | | Ground Handling | ground | Hazards related to ramp operations, fueling, and ground movement. | Ramp incursions, fueling errors, pushback incidents, FOD on movement areas. | | Cabin Safety | cabin | Hazards related to cabin operations and passenger safety. | Turbulence injuries, evacuation readiness, galley equipment failures. | | Airspace / ATC | airspace | Hazards related to airspace, navigation, and air traffic control interactions. | Communication breakdowns, TCAS events, airspace violations. | | Weather | weather | Hazards related to meteorological conditions affecting operations. | Icing, wind shear, low visibility, convective weather, volcanic ash. | | Human Factors | human_factors | Hazards related to human performance, cognition, and behavior. | Fatigue, CRM breakdowns, complacency, distraction, inadequate training. | | Organizational | organizational | Hazards related to management systems, policies, and organizational structure. | Staffing gaps, training deficiencies, procedural drift, resource constraints. |

Risk Controls

Each hazard can have one or more risk controls. Controls follow the hierarchy of effectiveness defined by the control type.

Field	Type	Description
`description`	Text	What the control does and how it reduces the hazard’s risk.
`type`	Enum	Control hierarchy classification — see the table below.
`status`	Enum	`planned`, `implemented`, or `verified`.
`effectiveness`	Enum	`effective`, `partially_effective`, `ineffective`, or `not_yet_assessed`.
`linked_cpas`	Array	CPA records that implement or verify this control.

Control Type Hierarchy

Controls are classified using the standard hierarchy of effectiveness. Higher-tier controls are preferred because they reduce risk more reliably.

Tier	Type	Description	Example
1	Elimination	Remove the hazard entirely.	Discontinue operations at an airport with unresolvable terrain hazards.
2	Substitution	Replace the hazard with something less hazardous.	Switch to a runway with ILS capability instead of a non-precision approach.
3	Engineering	Isolate people from the hazard through physical or system design.	Install TAWS/EGPWS, automated fuel quantity sensors, wing-mounted cameras.
4	Administrative	Change procedures, training, or policies.	Revised SOP, additional recurrent training, briefing requirement, checklist update.
5	PPE	Personal protective equipment as a last line of defense.	Hearing protection for ramp workers, high-visibility vests, safety harnesses.

Administrative controls (SOPs, training, checklists) are the most common in aviation operations but are also the most dependent on human compliance. Pairing administrative controls with engineering controls provides defense in depth.

Review Schedule

Hazards require periodic review to verify that risk controls remain effective and that the risk profile has not changed. The review frequency is configurable per hazard.

Frequency	API Value	Typical Use
Monthly	`monthly`	New or high-risk hazards requiring close monitoring during initial control implementation.
Quarterly	`quarterly`	Active hazards with established controls that need regular effectiveness checks.
Semi-Annual	`semi_annual`	Mitigated hazards with stable, verified controls.
Annual	`annual`	Accepted hazards with a long track record of effective controls.

Review Process

The review process consists of five stages:

Stage	Description
Reminder	The system sends a notification to the hazard owner when the next review date approaches (configurable lead time: 7, 14, or 30 days).
Initiation	The owner opens the review dialog from the hazard detail page.
Evaluation	The owner assesses whether the hazard still exists, whether controls remain effective, whether the operating environment has changed, and whether new data (reports, incidents, industry bulletins) affects the risk profile.
Updates	The owner may reassess residual risk (severity and likelihood), add/modify/remove controls, change the hazard status, or adjust the review frequency.
Completion	The owner submits the review. The system records the review date, reviewer, and any changes made, then calculates the next review date.

Overdue hazard reviews are flagged on the safety compliance dashboard and affect Safety Assurance metrics. Overdue reviews may also be noted during FAA surveillance activities.

Linked Records

The hazard register does not exist in isolation. Each hazard connects to other SMS records through explicit links that establish regulatory traceability.

Linked Record	Relationship	Regulatory Basis
Safety reports	Reports that identified or relate to the hazard.	14 CFR 5.53 — hazard identification from safety reporting.
Investigations	Investigations that uncovered or analyzed the hazard.	14 CFR 5.73 — safety performance assessment.
CPAs	Corrective and Preventive Actions addressing the hazard’s risk controls.	14 CFR 5.55 — risk control development.
MOC records	Management of Change items that affect the hazard or its controls.	14 CFR 5.51 — SRM for changes to existing systems.
Risk assessments	Formal risk evaluations performed for the hazard.	14 CFR 5.55 — safety risk assessment.

Regulatory Alignment

Part 5 Section	Requirement	Hazard Register Component
5.53	System analysis and hazard identification	Hazard fields, categories, source tracking, description.
5.55(a)	Process to analyze safety risk	Initial risk assessment (severity x likelihood).
5.55(b)	Acceptable level of safety risk	Status lifecycle — Accepted status with documented rationale.
5.55(c)	Risk controls when risk is unacceptable	Controls list with type hierarchy and effectiveness tracking.
5.57	Notification of hazards to interfacing parties	Linked records and owner assignment for cross-functional awareness.
5.71	Safety performance monitoring and measurement	Periodic review schedule, effectiveness monitoring, status updates.
5.73	Safety performance assessment	Review process validating control effectiveness over time.
5.97	SMS records	Hazard records retained as long as the control remains relevant.

Risk Assessment Matrix

Severity and likelihood definitions used to rate hazards.

Conduct a Risk Assessment

Perform a risk assessment.

Investigation Workflow

How investigations identify hazards for the register.

CPA Lifecycle

How CPAs implement and verify hazard risk controls.

SMS Reference

SmartScore

Operations Reference

FBO Reference

Maintenance Reference

Operational Reports

Portal Reference

Platform Reference

API Reference

Hazard Statuses

Status Lifecycle

Hazard Fields

Hazard Categories

Risk Controls

Review Schedule

Review Process

Linked Records

Regulatory Alignment

Risk Assessment Matrix

Conduct a Risk Assessment

Investigation Workflow

CPA Lifecycle

​Hazard Statuses

​Status Lifecycle

​Hazard Fields

​Hazard Categories

​Risk Controls

​Review Schedule

​Review Process

​Linked Records

​Regulatory Alignment

​Related

Risk Assessment Matrix

Conduct a Risk Assessment

Investigation Workflow

CPA Lifecycle

Hazard Statuses

Status Lifecycle

Hazard Fields

Hazard Categories

Risk Controls

Review Schedule

Review Process

Linked Records

Regulatory Alignment

Related