What is the difference between a hazard and a risk?

What is the difference between a hazard and a risk?

• A. A hazard is a source with potential for harm; risk is the probability of harm occurring and the severity of that harm
• B. Risk is a source with potential for harm; hazard is the probability and severity
• C. Hazard and risk are the same
• D. Risk is only about financial loss

Answer: (A)

Hazard vs risk: a hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm—like a chemical, a slippery floor, a hot surface, or a noisy machine. Risk is how likely that harm is to occur and how severe it would be if it did occur, taking into account exposure, duration, and the possible consequences. In practical terms, you identify the hazard first, then assess the risk by considering both the probability of harm and the seriousness of the outcome. This distinction is why the statement that a hazard is a source with potential for harm and risk is the probability of harm occurring and the severity of that harm is the best description. The other ideas either swap the definitions or suggest risk is only about financial loss, which doesn’t capture safety concepts.

Hazard vs risk: a hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm—like a chemical, a slippery floor, a hot surface, or a noisy machine. Risk is how likely that harm is to occur and how severe it would be if it did occur, taking into account exposure, duration, and the possible consequences. In practical terms, you identify the hazard first, then assess the risk by considering both the probability of harm and the seriousness of the outcome.

This distinction is why the statement that a hazard is a source with potential for harm and risk is the probability of harm occurring and the severity of that harm is the best description. The other ideas either swap the definitions or suggest risk is only about financial loss, which doesn’t capture safety concepts.