What is the difference between a hazard and a risk?

The distinction between a hazard and a risk is foundational to understanding safety and risk management. A hazard is defined as a potential source of harm, meaning it represents something that could cause injury, damage, or adverse effects if encountered. Examples of hazards include slippery floors, toxic chemicals, or unguarded machinery.

On the other hand, risk refers to the likelihood or probability that the hazard will actually lead to harm, along with the potential severity of that harm. In other words, it’s not enough to just identify what could be dangerous (the hazard); it’s crucial to assess how likely it is for that danger to manifest and to what extent. For example, while a chemical might be hazardous (the potential for harm), the risk would be evaluated based on how frequently the chemical is used, how it is stored, and what precautions are in place to prevent exposure.

This understanding is essential for effective safety planning and practices, as it allows safety professionals to prioritize which hazards need to be addressed based on the level of risk they pose. In contrast, the other choices present misconceptions or overly narrow definitions that might lead to misunderstandings about these critical concepts in safety management.