Difference between Hazard and Risk
Hazard
Something with the potential to cause a Harm of any kind.
For Example:
- Injury to People,
- Damage to Equipment or
- Damage to Plant Etc.
Risk
The likelihood that a
- Hazard will Cause Harm
In combination with the
- Severity of injury, Damage or Loss
– that might foreseeable occur.
Likelihood X Severity = Risk
In other Words:
A hazard is something that can cause harm, e.g. electricity, chemicals, working up a ladder, noise, a keyboard, a bully at work, stress, etc.
A risk is the chance, high or low, that any hazard will actually cause somebody harm.
For example, working alone away from your office can be a hazard. The risk of personal danger may be high. Electric cabling is a hazard. If it has snagged on a sharp object, the exposed wiring places it in a ‘high-risk’ category.