We’ve noticed over the years that several people and organisations get confused with the definitions of what a hazard and risk are
WorkSafe WA defines hazards and risks as follows:
- Hazard: Is anything with the potential to cause harm, injury, or ill-health to people, damage to property, or harm to the environment.
- Risk: Is the possibility of harm (death, injury, illness) occurring when people are exposed to a hazard, with risk being determined by the likelihood of harm happening and the severity of that potential harm, requiring management through identification, assessment, and control measures to eliminate or minimize it.
Hazards are the source; risk is the probability and impact of being harmed by that source, which can be managed by controlling exposure or implementing safety measures.
Hazard examples:
- Physical: Wet floor, heights, loud noise, moving machinery.
- Chemical: Toxic substances, cleaning agents.
- Biological: Viruses, bacteria.
- Ergonomic: Repetitive tasks, poor posture.
Risk examples:
- Slippery Floor (Hazard): Risk of a slip/fall injury (high likelihood if wet, low if dry).
- Electricity (Hazard): Risk of electric shock (high if faulty wiring, low if properly insulated).
- Stairs (Hazard): Risk of falling down stairs (reduced by handrails)
- You can’t eliminate most hazards (you still need stairs!), but you can reduce the risk by adding controls like non-slip treads, handrails, or safety guards etc.
Risk assessment involves identifying hazards and then evaluating the risk (likelihood + severity) to determine necessary control measures.
We here as SOS-Switched Onto Safety have been involved with Work, Health and Safety, Quality and Environmental Hazard Management since 1996. If you need any assistance get in contact with us as “We’d love to help”