Which term describes a potential source of harm or adverse health effect in the workplace?

Which term describes a potential source of harm or adverse health effect in the workplace?

• A. Risk
• B. Hazard
• C. Accident
• D. Control

Answer: (B)

Hazard is a potential source of harm or adverse health effect in the workplace. It identifies what in the environment or a task could cause injury or illness if a person is exposed to it, such as sharp tools, slippery floors, noisy equipment, or toxic chemicals. The reason this term fits best is that it points to the source of harm itself, not to the likelihood or actual occurrence of harm. Contrast this with risk, which describes the chance and severity of harm if exposure occurs, taking into account factors like exposure duration, frequency, and susceptibility. An accident, on the other hand, is an actual event in which harm occurs, not the potential source. A control is a measure implemented to reduce or eliminate hazards or the associated risk, such as engineering controls, safe work practices, or PPE. For example, a wet floor is a hazard because it could cause someone to slip. The risk depends on how often people walk there and under what conditions. An accident would be someone slipping and injuring themselves, and a control would be putting up a sign, placing barriers, or using non-slip mats to prevent the slip.

Hazard is a potential source of harm or adverse health effect in the workplace. It identifies what in the environment or a task could cause injury or illness if a person is exposed to it, such as sharp tools, slippery floors, noisy equipment, or toxic chemicals. The reason this term fits best is that it points to the source of harm itself, not to the likelihood or actual occurrence of harm.

Contrast this with risk, which describes the chance and severity of harm if exposure occurs, taking into account factors like exposure duration, frequency, and susceptibility. An accident, on the other hand, is an actual event in which harm occurs, not the potential source. A control is a measure implemented to reduce or eliminate hazards or the associated risk, such as engineering controls, safe work practices, or PPE.

For example, a wet floor is a hazard because it could cause someone to slip. The risk depends on how often people walk there and under what conditions. An accident would be someone slipping and injuring themselves, and a control would be putting up a sign, placing barriers, or using non-slip mats to prevent the slip.