Hazard, Risk, Risk assessment – Health & Safety at work

What is the hazard?

A hazard is a source of harm, damage or adverse health effects on something or someone.

What is the risk?

Risk is the likelihood that a person will be harmed or experience on adverse health effects if exposed to a hazard.

As you can see there is  a difference between theese definitions althought both Hazard and Risk are often used interchangeably.

Examples of hazard

Hazard can be classified in categories:

– physical hazards: electrical exposure, working from heights, excessive noise, extremes of temperature, ionizing or non-ionizing radiation, unguarded machinery,

– mechanical hazards: created by machinery (usually moving parts),

– biological hazards: bacteria, viruses, fungus,

– chemical hazards: during the time worker is exposed to chemicals. They can cause illness, skin irritation, even breathing problems,

– ergonomic hazards: improper set up of workstation, repetitive movements,

– psychosocial hazards: stress, cardiovascular diseases.

There are factors that influence the risk of injury, ill health, e.g.

– frequency of exposure and time of contact,

– the nature of exposed (skin contact, inhalation),

– severity of effect (diseases of heart and nervous system, dermal irritation, cancer).

What is a Risk Assessment?

Risk Assessment is the proces that should include:

– hazard identification,

– both risk analysis and risk evaluation,

– establish procedures and rules to eliminate the hazard or control the risk if hazard can not be eliminated.

Possible adverse health effects:

– diseases,

– genetic effects,

– reduction in lenght and quality of life,

-worsening mental health,

– bodily injury.