Which term is defined as a potential source of harm or an adverse health effect on the person involved?

Which term is defined as a potential source of harm or an adverse health effect on the person involved?

• A. Accident
• B. Risk
• C. Unsafe act
• D. Hazard

Answer: (D)

In safety, a hazard is a potential source of harm or adverse health effect to a person. That means the item or condition has the capacity to cause injury or illness if someone is exposed to it under the right (or wrong) circumstances. The term described here fits hazard because it’s about the possibility of harm, not the actual event or the likelihood of harm. If you think about risk, that’s different: risk combines the chance of exposure with how severe the harm could be. The hazard exists whether or not someone is currently exposed, while risk requires both the hazard and a exposure scenario. An unsafe act is a behavior that can increase risk but isn’t the source of harm itself. An accident is an actual event where harm occurs, not the potential source. Examples of hazards include a wet floor, exposed electrical wiring, or a chemical spill. Identifying hazards is the first step to putting controls in place to reduce risk.

In safety, a hazard is a potential source of harm or adverse health effect to a person. That means the item or condition has the capacity to cause injury or illness if someone is exposed to it under the right (or wrong) circumstances. The term described here fits hazard because it’s about the possibility of harm, not the actual event or the likelihood of harm.

If you think about risk, that’s different: risk combines the chance of exposure with how severe the harm could be. The hazard exists whether or not someone is currently exposed, while risk requires both the hazard and a exposure scenario. An unsafe act is a behavior that can increase risk but isn’t the source of harm itself. An accident is an actual event where harm occurs, not the potential source. Examples of hazards include a wet floor, exposed electrical wiring, or a chemical spill. Identifying hazards is the first step to putting controls in place to reduce risk.