Hazard vs. Risk — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 17, 2024
Hazard refers to something that has the potential to cause harm; risk is the likelihood of harm occurring due to that hazard.
Difference Between Hazard and Risk
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A hazard is an inherent property or situation that presents a potential source of harm in certain conditions. For instance, electricity is a hazard because it can cause shock or fire if not properly managed. On the other hand, risk assesses the probability and severity of the harm that the hazard could cause, factoring in various circumstances like exposure and safety measures.
While hazards are simply the potential dangers, they do not convey any indication of how likely it is that these dangers will lead to actual harm. Whereas risk quantifies this likelihood and potential severity, offering a more detailed evaluation for making informed safety decisions.
Hazards can exist with or without the active involvement of a person or operational process. For example, toxic chemicals inherently possess hazardous properties. On the other hand, the risk of these chemicals causing harm depends on how they are handled, stored, and used in the workplace.
While a hazard might remain constant (e.g., a sharp blade), the associated risk can vary widely depending on the context. For instance, a sharp blade represents a higher risk in a daycare center than in a controlled factory setting where protective measures are in place.
Hazards are identified by recognizing potential sources of injury or damage. Whereas risk assessment involves a more complex process that includes hazard identification, evaluation of the likelihood and severity of outcomes, and the implementation of possible controls to mitigate the risk.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A potential source of harm or adverse effect
The likelihood of harm occurring from a hazard
Nature
Inherent quality or condition
Probability and severity of potential harm
Dependence
Independent of likelihood
Dependent on exposure and circumstances
Evaluation
Identified through hazard identification
Assessed through detailed analysis
Control Measure
Identification and elimination
Mitigation and management strategies
Compare with Definitions
Hazard
A source of potential damage, harm, or adverse health effect.
Ice on the road is a hazard for drivers.
Risk
The chance of something happening that will have an impact on objectives.
There's a high risk of slipping where there's ice on sidewalks.
Hazard
An inherent property that makes something potentially dangerous.
Flammability is a hazard of gasoline.
Risk
A situation involving exposure to danger.
Smoking increases the risk of developing lung cancer.
Hazard
A physical situation with a potential for injury.
A wet floor in a supermarket is a slip hazard.
Risk
The probability of a hazard leading to a loss.
The risk of theft is higher in unsecured areas.
Hazard
Anything that can cause harm if not controlled.
Exposed wiring is a significant electrical hazard.
Risk
The effect of uncertainty on objectives.
Investing in volatile stocks carries a high financial risk.
Hazard
A biological, chemical, or physical agent that can cause adverse health impacts.
Asbestos is a well-known health hazard in older buildings.
Risk
An assessment of the potential severity and likelihood of harm.
Risk assessments are crucial before starting major construction projects.
Hazard
A hazard is a potential source of harm. Substances, events, or circumstances can constitute hazards when their nature would allow them, even just theoretically, to cause damage to health, life, property, or any other interest of value.
Risk
In simple terms, risk is the possibility of something bad happening. Risk involves uncertainty about the effects/implications of an activity with respect to something that humans value (such as health, well-being, wealth, property or the environment), often focusing on negative, undesirable consequences.
Hazard
A chance of being injured or harmed
Space travel is full of hazards.
Risk
The possibility of suffering harm or loss; danger.
Hazard
Risk or danger
A high degree of hazard.
Risk
A factor, thing, element, or course involving uncertain danger; a hazard
"the usual risks of the desert.
Hazard
A possible source of danger
This room is a fire hazard.
Risk
The danger or probability of loss to an insurer.
Hazard
(Games) A game played with dice that is a forerunner of craps and was especially popular in England in the 1600s and 1700s.
Risk
The amount that an insurance company stands to lose.
Hazard
(Sports) An obstacle, such as a sand trap, found on a golf course.
Risk
The variability of returns from an investment.
Hazard
(Archaic) Chance or an accident.
Risk
The chance of nonpayment of a debt.
Hazard
To expose to danger or risk.
Risk
One considered with respect to the possibility of loss
A poor risk.
Hazard
To venture (something)
Hazard a guess.
Risk
To expose to a chance of loss or damage; hazard.
Hazard
To express at the risk of denial, criticism, or censure
"The wise young captain ... hazarded to the lieutenant-colonel that the enemy's infantry would probably soon attack the hill" (Stephen Crane).
Risk
To incur the risk of
His action risked a sharp reprisal.
Hazard
The chance of suffering harm; danger, peril, risk of loss.
He encountered the enemy at the hazard of his reputation and life.
Risk
(uncountable) The probability of a negative outcome to a decision or event.
There is risk of being brutalized, arrested, imprisoned and tortured, all because I want you to know the truth about this matter.
Hazard
An obstacle or other feature which causes risk or danger; originally in sports, and now applied more generally.
The video game involves guiding a character on a skateboard past all kinds of hazards.
Risk
(uncountable) The magnitude of possible loss consequent to a decision or event.
Hazard
(in driving a vehicle) An obstacle or other feature that presents a risk or danger that justifies the driver in taking action to avoid it.
Risk
The potential negative effect of an event, determined by multiplying the likelihood of the event occurring with its magnitude should it occur.
Hazard
(golf) A sand or water obstacle on a golf course.
Risk
(countable) A possible adverse event or outcome.
Hazard
(billiards) The act of potting a ball, whether the object ball (winning hazard) or the player's ball (losing hazard).
Risk
(insurance) A type of adverse event covered under an insurance policy.
Hazard
(historical) A game of chance played with dice, usually for monetary stakes; popular mainly from 14th c. to 19th c.
Risk
(countable) A thing (from the perspective of how likely or unlikely it is to cause an adverse effect).
That man is going to be a big risk once he's out of prison.
Those stairs are a major risk.
Hazard
Chance.
Risk
A borrower (such as a mortgage-holder or person with a credit card).
A good credit rating indicates the customer is a desirable risk.
Hazard
(obsolete) Anything that is hazarded or risked, such as a stake in gambling.
Risk
(finance) A financial product (typically an investment).
Subprime mortgages are poor risks; especially for a pension scheme.
Hazard
(tennis) The side of the court into which the ball is served.
Risk
(insurance) An entity insured by an insurer.
Hazard
(programming) A problem with the instruction pipeline in CPU microarchitectures when the next instruction cannot execute in the following clock cycle, potentially leading to incorrect results.
Risk
(transitive) To incur risk of (something).
Hazard
To expose to chance; to take a risk.
Risk
(transitive) To incur risk of harming or jeopardizing.
Hazard
To risk (something); to venture, incur, or bring on.
I'll hazard a guess.
Risk
(transitive) To incur risk as a result of (doing something).
Hazard
A game of chance played with dice.
Risk
Hazard; danger; peril; exposure to loss, injury, or destruction.
The imminent and constant risk of assassination, a risk which has shaken very strong nerves.
Hazard
The uncertain result of throwing a die; hence, a fortuitous event; chance; accident; casualty.
I will stand the hazard of the die.
Risk
Hazard of loss; liabillity to loss in property.
Hazard
Risk; danger; peril; as, he encountered the enemy at the hazard of his reputation and life.
Men are led on from one stage of life to another in a condition of the utmost hazard.
Risk
To expose to risk, hazard, or peril; to venture; as, to risk goods on board of a ship; to risk one's person in battle; to risk one's fame by a publication.
Hazard
Holing a ball, whether the object ball (winning hazard) or the player's ball (losing hazard).
Risk
To incur the risk or danger of; as, to risk a battle.
Hazard
Anything that is hazarded or risked, as the stakes in gaming.
Risk
A source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune;
Drinking alcohol is a health hazard
Hazard
Any place into which the ball may not be safely played, such as bunkers, furze, water, sand, or other kind of bad ground.
Risk
A venture undertaken without regard to possible loss or injury;
He saw the rewards but not the risks of crime
There was a danger he would do the wrong thing
Hazard
To expose to the operation of chance; to put in danger of loss or injury; to venture; to risk.
Men hazard nothing by a course of evangelical obedience.
He hazards his neck to the halter.
Risk
The probability of becoming infected given that exposure to an infectious agent has occurred
Hazard
To venture to incur, or bring on.
I hazarded the loss of whom I loved.
They hazard to cut their feet.
Risk
The probability of being exposed to an infectious agent
Hazard
To try the chance; to encounter risk or danger.
Risk
Expose to a chance of loss or damage;
We risked losing a lot of money in this venture
Why risk your life?
Hazard
A source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune;
Drinking alcohol is a health hazard
Risk
Take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome;
When you buy these stocks you are gambling
Hazard
An unknown and unpredictable phenomenon that causes an event to result one way rather than another;
Bad luck caused his downfall
We ran into each other by pure chance
Hazard
An obstacle on a golf course
Hazard
Put forward, of a guess, in spite of possible refutation;
I am guessing that the price of real estate will rise again
I cannot pretend to say that you are wrong
Hazard
Put at risk;
I will stake my good reputation for this
Hazard
Take a risk in the hope of a favorable outcome;
When you buy these stocks you are gambling
Common Curiosities
What is a hazard?
A hazard is anything that can potentially cause harm or adverse effects.
How do you differentiate hazard and risk in the workplace?
Hazard refers to any potential danger, while risk assesses how likely it is for the hazard to cause harm.
Can a situation have a hazard but low risk?
Yes, a situation can have a hazard with low risk if proper safety measures are effectively applied.
Why is it important to understand both hazard and risk?
Understanding both helps in implementing appropriate safety measures and preventing harm.
How does one manage risk arising from a hazard?
Risk can be managed by reducing the exposure to the hazard and implementing safety controls.
What does risk involve in safety management?
Risk involves evaluating the likelihood and severity of what can happen from a hazard.
Can risk change over time?
Yes, risk can change depending on how the conditions around a hazard evolve.
What is meant by 'risk perception'?
Risk perception is how individuals or groups view the severity and likelihood of risks.
What role does risk assessment play in managing hazards?
Risk assessment helps in determining necessary actions to minimize or control the harm from hazards.
What are examples of hazards and risks in an office setting?
Hazards include exposed wires or slippery floors, while risks involve the likelihood of someone getting shocked or slipping.
Are all hazards risks?
All hazards have the potential to become risks but are only considered risks if there is a likelihood of causing harm.
Is there a regulatory requirement for hazard and risk assessment?
Yes, in many jurisdictions, conducting hazard and risk assessments is mandated by health and safety laws.
What tools are used for risk assessment?
Tools include checklists, risk matrices, and software designed for analyzing and managing risk.
How can organizations improve their handling of risks and hazards?
Organizations can improve by regularly updating their risk assessments and training employees on hazard recognition.
What factors influence the level of risk?
Factors include the environment, the number of people exposed, and the effectiveness of existing control measures.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
