If you work in the trades or on any construction site in Canada, you’ve probably heard of the Field Level Hazard Assessment (FLHA). But do you know what it actually is, why it’s legally required, and how to fill one out properly?
This guide covers everything you need to know.
What is an FLHA?
A Field Level Hazard Assessment — also called a Field-Level Risk Assessment (FLRA) in some provinces — is a document completed by workers before starting any task on a worksite. It identifies:
- What hazards are present at that specific location, at that specific time
- What the risk level of those hazards is
- What controls will be put in place to reduce the risk
Unlike a Safe Work Practice (SWP), which is a general procedure for a type of task, an FLHA is site-specific and time-specific. The same task on Monday morning might have different hazards than on Friday afternoon after it’s been raining.
Why is the FLHA Required in Canada?
In Alberta, British Columbia, and Ontario, OHS legislation requires workers to hazard assess before starting work. Specifically:
Alberta: OHS Code, Part 2, Section 7 — requires workers to identify and assess hazards before beginning work.
British Columbia: WorkSafeBC OHS Regulation, Section 4.5 — requires hazard identification before work begins.
Ontario: OHSA and its regulations require employers to assess hazards — the FLHA is the standard document for doing this on construction sites.
Failure to complete an FLHA before starting work can result in:
- Stop-work orders
- WCB fines
- Personal liability if someone is injured
- Loss of contract with GCs who require them
When Do You Need to Complete an FLHA?
Complete an FLHA:
- At the start of every shift, before work begins
- Whenever site conditions change (new weather, new crew, new equipment)
- Before beginning a new task that wasn’t planned at the start of shift
- After any near-miss or incident
How Do You Complete an FLHA?
A proper FLHA has these sections:
- Project/Site Info — site name, location, date, time, weather conditions
- Task Description — what work is being done
- Hazard Identification — what could go wrong (use categories: energy, environmental, ergonomic, biological, chemical, physical)
- Risk Assessment — likelihood × severity = risk level
- Controls — what you’re doing to reduce the risk (engineering, administrative, PPE)
- Worker Sign-Off — all workers doing the task must sign
Get Your FLHA Template
We’ve taken the guesswork out of it. Our FLHA Bundle includes:
- A professionally formatted FLHA form (fillable PDF + Word)
- A completed example so you can see exactly how to fill it out
- Instructions for each section
Starting at $15 CAD. Instant download. Canadian OHS compliant.
