Lesson 1: Risks and Risk Assessment

Glossary

Hazards and Risks

A hazard is something that can cause harm, for example, working on a ladder is hazardous.

Risk is the chance of that hazard actually causing someone harm.

To understand the difference between a hazard and risk, watch this quick video (courtesy of Andrew Maynard)
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Once a hazard is identified, the risk factor or level for that hazard can be assessed by figuring out:

  • How likely is it that the incident will occur?

  • If the incident occurs, how bad will be the injury, harm or loss?


The risk factor is greater when a hazard is known to have caused harm, injury or loss in the past.

Knowing how often a worker is in contact with a hazard helps to identify the risk factor.

If a worker is exposed to a hazard several times a day, then the risk factor is probably high.

If the result of an injury incident needs only minor First Aid, then the risk factor is low. If it leads to a serious injury or death, then the risk factor is high.









The following chart shows how the risk factor can be assessed: