What is the difference between a hazard and a risk?

Posted 3 years ago

When it comes to health & safety in the workplace, two key concepts often come into play; Hazards and Risks. These terms are frequently used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings and play different roles in workplace safety. Understanding the difference between a hazard and a risk is essential for creating a safe working environment, complying with legal requirements, and ensuring employees are protected from harm.

What is a Hazard?

A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm. They can take many forms, from physical objects to environmental factors or even unsafe workplace practices. Hazards exist in every industry, whether on a busy construction site, in a hospital, or even in a typical office environment. Recognising and managing them is key to maintaining a safe workspace.

Common Workplace Hazards

Workplace hazards come in many forms, from obvious dangers like slippery floors to less visible risks such as stress or repetitive strain. Identifying and addressing these hazards is crucial for maintaining a safe and productive work environment. Below are some of the most common workplace hazards and how they can affect employees.

Physical Hazards – These are some of the most obvious dangers, such as wet floors in a supermarket, exposed wiring in an office, or falling objects on a construction site. Even something as simple as poor lighting in a stairwell can increase the risk of an accident.
Chemical Hazards – Many workplaces use hazardous substances, whether it’s industrial chemicals in a factory, strong cleaning agents in a hotel, or pesticides on a farm. Without proper handling and protective measures, these substances can pose serious health risks.
Biological Hazards – These are particularly common in healthcare, food processing, and laboratory environments. Employees might be exposed to viruses in a hospital, bacteria in a kitchen, or mould in a damp office building, all of which can lead to illness.
Ergonomic Hazards – Poorly designed workstations, uncomfortable seating, or repetitive tasks can cause long-term strain. Office workers may develop back pain from unsupportive chairs, while warehouse staff might experience injuries from heavy lifting without proper technique.
Psychosocial Hazards – Work-related stress, bullying, or harassment can be just as harmful as physical dangers. A high-pressure corporate environment, a toxic workplace culture, or long, unpredictable hours can all take a toll on mental health.

What Is A Risk?

While a hazard is something that has the potential to cause harm, a risk is the likelihood that the hazard will actually cause harm, combined with the severity of the potential consequences. Risks are not fixed—they vary depending on multiple factors, including who is exposed to the hazard, how often, and under what conditions.

Understanding Risk in Context

To properly manage risks, it’s essential to assess both the likelihood of harm and its potential severity. The same hazard can pose different levels of risk depending on its location, how many people encounter it, and whether safety measures are in place.

Let’s take a simple example:

Hazard: A wet floor in an office corridor.
Risk: The likelihood that someone will slip on the wet floor and the severity of the possible injury, which could range from a minor stumble to a serious fall resulting in a broken bone.

However, the level of risk can change depending on the situation:

If the wet floor is in a rarely used storage room, the risk is lower because fewer people are exposed to it.
If the wet floor is in a busy reception area with no warning signs, the risk is significantly higher because more people are likely to encounter it.
If the wet floor is on a stairwell, the risk increases further because a fall from height could cause severe injuries.

Why Risk Assessment Matters

Assessing risks means evaluating both the probability of harm occurring and its potential impact. This allows businesses to prioritise actions to reduce or eliminate risks effectively. For instance, in the case of the wet floor hazard, businesses might:

Clean up spills immediately to remove the hazard.
Use clear signage to warn people until the floor is dry.
Improve flooring materials to reduce slipperiness in high-risk areas.

By understanding the relationship between hazards and risks, workplaces can create safer environments and prevent accidents before they happen.

What Is The Difference Between a Hazard and a Risk?

While hazards and risks are closely related, they are not the same. Understanding the difference is essential in any workplace to ensure the right safety measures are in place. Identifying hazards helps pinpoint potential dangers while assessing risks determines how likely those dangers are to cause harm and how severe the consequences could be.

By recognising both, businesses can take appropriate action—whether it’s correctly labelling hazardous substances, placing clear warning signs, or implementing protective measures to minimise risk.

Here’s a table that can help us to understand the key differences between a hazard and a risk:

Aspect	Hazard	Risk
Definition	Potential to cause harm	Likelihood and severity of harm
Static/Dynamic	Static (exists until addressed)	Dynamic (changes based on context)
Examples	Wet floor, exposed wiring	Probability of slipping, likelihood of electric shock

In simpler terms, a hazard is a ‘what’ while a risk is the ‘what if’

How to Identify Hazards in the Workplace

Identifying hazards is a crucial first step in maintaining workplace safety. A proactive approach helps businesses prevent accidents and injuries before they happen. By regularly assessing the work environment, engaging employees, and reviewing safety data, organisations can minimise risks and create a safer workplace.

Key Steps to Identifying Hazards

Conduct Regular Workplace Inspections

Walk through the workspace to spot obvious hazards such as exposed wires, wet floors, cluttered walkways, or poor lighting. Look for anything that could cause harm if left unaddressed.

Engage Employees in Hazard Reporting

Employees are often the first to notice potential dangers in their daily tasks. Encourage open communication and create a system for anonymous reporting of safety concerns to ensure all hazards are documented.

Review Incident and Near-Miss Reports

Past accidents and near-miss reports can highlight recurring hazards. Analysing these records helps identify trends and prevent similar incidents in the future.

Monitor Work Processes and Behaviours

Observe how tasks are performed to uncover less obvious hazards, such as repetitive movements that could cause strain, improper lifting techniques, or exposure to loud noise levels.

Consult Industry-Specific Safety Guidelines

Different industries face different hazards. Reviewing health & safety standards relevant to your sector—such as construction safety regulations or office ergonomics guidelines—can provide additional insights into potential risks.

Industry-Specific Hazards

While all workplaces must prioritise safety, the specific risks they face can vary widely depending on the industry. Some hazards are universal, like slips and trips, while others are unique to certain environments due to the nature of the work, equipment used, or materials handled.

Every workplace has its own unique risks:

Construction sites may have falling debris, heavy machinery, and working-at-height risks.
Offices often face ergonomic issues from poorly designed workstations, trip hazards from loose cables, or fire risks from overloaded power sockets.
Factories and warehouses deal with moving equipment, hazardous chemicals, and lifting-related injuries.
Healthcare environments involve risks such as exposure to infectious diseases, needlestick injuries, and patient-handling strain.

By following these steps and considering industry-specific risks, businesses can effectively identify hazards and take proactive measures to keep employees safe.

How to Assess Risks

Once hazards have been identified, the next step is assessing the risks associated with them. Risk assessment helps prioritise which hazards need immediate attention and which can be managed over time. A structured approach ensures that workplace safety measures are both effective and proportionate to the level of risk.

Using a Risk Matrix

A risk matrix is a widely used tool for assessing risk in various industries. It provides a visual representation of risk levels by evaluating:

Likelihood – How probable it is that the hazard will cause harm.
Severity – The potential impact or consequences if the hazard leads to an incident.

By plotting these two factors against each other, the risk matrix helps organisations categorise risks into different levels—low, medium, high, or critical—allowing them to prioritise control measures effectively.

The risk matrix concept has its roots in military and engineering risk management practices, particularly from the Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) method developed in the 1940s. Over time, it became a standard tool in occupational health & safety, with organisations like the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the US promoting its use across industries.

This is often used in many different industries as a way to also help them prioritise the risks that need to be dealt with immediately, against ones that are more unlikely.

Industry-Specific Risk Assessment Examples

Construction Site Risk

Hazard: Working at height without proper fall protection.
Risk: Likelihood is “Likely”, severity is “Severe” → High Risk (Immediate action required).
Control Measures: Use of harnesses, guardrails, and strict safety protocols.

Office Risk

Hazard: Loose cables in a walkway.
Risk: Likelihood is “Possible”, severity is “Minor” → Medium Risk (Needs attention but not urgent).
Control Measures: Cable management, floor markings, and employee awareness.

Manufacturing Risk

Hazard: Exposure to hazardous chemicals without protective gear.
Risk: Likelihood is “Certain”, severity is “Severe” → Critical Risk (Immediate action required).
Control Measures: Proper PPE, ventilation, and staff training on safe handling.

Effective risk assessments also involve consulting employees, reviewing safety data and revisiting assessments regularly to account for changes in the workplace.

Controlling Hazards and Risks

Once hazards and risks have been identified, the next crucial step is implementing control measures to minimise or eliminate the potential for harm. The Hierarchy of Controls is a structured approach widely used across industries to manage workplace hazards effectively.

This framework consists of five levels, ranked from most effective to least effective, with the goal of eliminating risks wherever possible before relying on personal protective measures.

Elimination: Remove the hazard entirely, e.g., replacing hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives.
Substitution: Replace the hazard with something less dangerous, e.g., swapping a slippery floor cleaner for one that is non-slippery.
Engineering Controls: Use physical barriers or redesign processes, e.g., installing machine guards.
Administrative Controls: Implement policies and training to reduce exposure, e.g., rotating tasks to minimise repetitive strain.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Provide protective gear, e.g., gloves, helmets, or high-visibility clothing.

Each step reduces risk, but a combination of controls often provides the most effective protection.

Legal Requirements and Responsibilities Surrounding Hazards and Risks

UK law mandates that employers ensure workplace safety. Some key legislations include

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974: Requires employers to protect employees and the public from workplace risks.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999: Mandates risk assessments and appropriate controls.
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases, and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR): Requires reporting of workplace accidents and incidents.

Failure to comply can lead to fines, legal action, and reputational damage. For example, a construction company fined for neglecting scaffolding safety serves as a stark reminder of the importance of compliance.

Why is it important to Understand Hazards and Risks?

Understanding hazards and risks is crucial for a safe, productive, and legally compliant workplace. Here’s why:

Legal Compliance

Businesses must comply with regulations like the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Identifying and controlling risks helps avoid fines and legal action, ensuring the workplace meets health & safety standards.

Employee Safety

Protecting employees from hazards reduces injuries and boosts morale. A safe workplace fosters better engagement and higher productivity.

Cost Savings

Preventing accidents saves on medical expenses, workers’ compensation, and legal fees. Managing risks reduces costs associated with accidents and injuries.

Reputation Management

A strong safety record enhances a company’s reputation, attracting talent and building customer trust. Companies with good safety practices are seen as responsible and reliable.

Operational Efficiency

Addressing hazards helps prevent disruptions, ensuring smooth operations and reducing downtime. A safer workplace leads to better employee performance and fewer incidents.

What Workplace Hazards and Risks Can We Expect in the Future?

As workplaces continue to evolve, new hazards and risks are emerging. Some key future challenges include:

AI and Automation Risks

With the rise of AI and collaborative robots (cobots), new safety concerns arise. Without proper protocols, cobots can pose injury risks, especially in environments where they work alongside humans.

Example: In manufacturing, improperly safeguarded cobots may cause accidents if workers are too close during operation.

Climate Change and Environmental Hazards

Extreme weather events, like heat waves and floods, are creating new risks for outdoor workers, particularly in construction and agriculture.

Example: Workers exposed to extreme heat may face heat-related illnesses, while floods can cause slip hazards or delays.

Remote Work and Mental Health Risks

The shift to remote work has introduced ergonomic challenges and mental health concerns, such as stress and isolation.

Example: Home office setups lacking ergonomic support can lead to musculoskeletal issues, while isolation can contribute to stress and burnout.

To address these risks, businesses must stay ahead of emerging trends, implement safety measures, and provide ongoing employee training and mental health support.

Health & Safety Training To Make Your Workplace Safe and Secure

Staying up to date with health & safety training is essential for maintaining a safe and compliant workplace. Here at iHasco, we offer a wide range of industry-specific health & safety courses designed to help businesses meet legal requirements and protect employees.

Whether you need training in risk assessment, fire safety, manual handling, or workplace culture & conduct, our expert-led courses make compliance simple and accessible.

Explore our full range of health & safety training courses today and try out our free trial to see if it’s the right fit for your business. If you’re unsure which courses are right for your organisation, request a bespoke quote and our experts will help you figure out your unique training requirements.