We have created some podcasts and learning videos to help you with key Health, Safety & Environmental concepts. They aim to give you a basic understanding of core health and safety practices. In this post, we address the difference between hazard and risk.

When we're dealing about risk of any kind in the workplace, we need to first understand the hazards that exist in our surrounding environment.

In many countries, including the UK, there is a legal obligation in place for employer's to ensure the health and safety of their employees. The Health and Safety at Work Act (HASWA) underpins the requirements here in the UK.

The difference between hazard and risk is very often confused. It is important to understand the relationship between the two terms and how they should be applied. Once you've grasped the concepts of hazard and risk, make sure to check out our beginner's guide to risk assessment.

Firstly, we explain the difference between Hazard and Risk further in our video below.... Difference between Hazard and Risk - Animated Video https://youtu.be/oU1U8fdF85I

The terms hazard and risk can be used to compliment each other. However, they are often poorly applied when it comes to health and safety. By understanding the simple relationship between hazard and risk, we can use them effectively in health and safety management.

To understand the difference between hazard and risk, it's best to start by looking at the definition of hazard and risk individually. Firstly, let's look at the definition of hazard.... What is a Hazard?

Simply, it is something with the potential to cause harm. A hazard can take many forms. It could be a substance, an energy source or an existing work practice or process.

If you'd like more help on hazards and loads of examples, listen to our podcast below!

Examples of hazards could such thing as Substances e.g. chemicals, Energy Sources e.g. machinery with moving parts, Work Practices e.g. working at height from a ladder or moving materials with a forklift truck.

OK then, so if a hazard has the potential to cause harm. What is a risk?

What is Risk? Risk is the chance of that harm actually being caused. In other words, the probability or chance that someone may suffer injury or illness due to an existing hazard.

It is important to know that when we perform a risk assessment, we need to consider two aspects of risk; the likelihood of the harm occurring and the severity of the harm that could be caused.

Difference between hazard and risk - let's look at an example....

A water cooler on the shopfloor has a leak. This has created a puddle on the floor which is now a slip hazard. If we do not do anything to remove or control this hazard, there is a significant risk that someone could slip and injure themselves.

On the other hand, if we had identified the potential for harm (hazard) and put suitable and simple control measures in place, such as barriers.

The chances of someone coming to harm (risk) would now be low.

So although the hazard still exists, the actual risk would be reduced to an acceptable level.

Now that you know what a hazard is, how do you go about identifying them? Keep reading (and listening) for 10 practical ways to identify hazards...

Try our Risk Assessment Course We've created an Approved Trainer-led, online course for Risk Assessment. The course takes you through a step-by-step, interactive tutorial & activities to give your team the confidence to carry out Risk Assessment. Yo