There is a lot of confusion about the difference between hazard and risk, but they are two very different concepts. A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm, while risk is what happens when you combine a hazard with a certain amount of exposure. Understanding these concepts can help you stay safe in your everyday life.
What is Hazard?
Hazard can be defined as development or condition that makes something dangerous. Hazard is the potential for harm or adverse health effect (such as injury, illness, or death) that may occur as a result of exposure to a hazard. It is important to note that hazard and risk are not the same things. Hazard is the potential for harm, while the risk is the probability of that harm occurring.
Hazard can exist even when there is no actual exposure to them (e.g., earthquake potential, electrical wiring in walls). It only becomes a risk when people are exposed to it (e.g., being in an earthquake-prone area, coming into contact with electrical wiring). Therefore, hazard identification is an important first step in the risk management process. Once hazards have been identified, steps can be taken to minimize or eliminate the exposure of people to them and/or the severity of their effects.
What is Risk?
Risk is the potential for something to happen that will have an adverse effect on an individual or organization. Risk can be either positive or negative, and it is often associated with uncertainty. For example, there is a risk that a new business venture will not be successful, but there is also the risk that it will be very successful. Risk management is the process of identifying, assessing, and controlling risks.
It is important to identify and assess risks before they occur so that steps can be taken to avoid or minimize them. Risk management can also help to maximize opportunities and ensure that an organization is prepared for both potential successes and failures.
Difference between Hazard and Risk
- A hazard is a potential source of harm or adverse health effect on a person or persons. Hazards can be classified into three types: biological, physical, and chemical. Biological hazards include viruses, bacteria, insects, animals, and birds. Physical hazards include exposure to excessive noise, electrical current, radiation, pressure, temperature, and vibration. Chemical hazards include vaporized gases, mists, fumes, dust, and chemicals in liquid form.
- Risk is the likelihood that a person will be harmed or experience an adverse health effect if exposed to a hazard. Risk is presented by two factors: the probability of occurrence and the severity of the outcome. For example, the probability of being harmed by a chemical hazard is greater if the exposure is prolonged and/or there is direct skin contact. The severity of the outcome is determined by the type of Hazard. For example, a chemical Hazard that is combustible will have a more severe outcome than one that is not.
- In summary, a hazard is a potential source of harm while the risk is the likelihood that a person will be harmed if exposed to a hazard. Risk is determined by two factors: the probability of occurrence and the severity of the outcome.
Conclusion
The difference between hazard and risk is an important distinction to make when it comes to safety. Hazards are potential dangers, while risks are the actual chances of something bad happening. Understanding these differences can help you take steps to mitigate any hazards in your workplace and protect your employees from harm.
