Which statement best describes the difference between a hazard and a risk?

• A. A hazard is a potential source of harm; risk is the likelihood and severity of harm that could result from the hazard.
• B. Risk is the probability of harm existing regardless of exposure.
• C. A hazard is the actual injury that occurs, while risk is the cost of control measures.
• D. Risk and hazard are the same concept described in different words.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that a hazard is a potential source of harm, while risk is about how likely and how severe that harm could be if exposure occurs. A hazard is something that could cause harm, like a chemical that could burn skin or electricity that could shock someone. Risk brings in two factors: how likely it is that someone will be exposed to that hazard, and how serious the harm would be if exposure happens. So risk is the combination of likelihood of exposure and the potential severity of harm.

This is why the statement that describes risk as the likelihood and severity of harm that could result from the hazard is the best fit. It captures that risk isn’t just about the hazard itself, but about what could happen to people given exposure.

In contrast, risk isn’t simply the probability of harm existing regardless of exposure, because exposure is essential to turning a hazard into risk. A hazard isn’t an actual injury or a cost of controls, and hazard and risk aren’t the same concept.