Hazard, Risk and Harm
Plain-language distinctions between a source of harm, the risk created by exposure and the possible outcome.
How to prepare for Working Safely
Build a simple worker-level sequence: notice the real hazard, identify exposure and harm, use the strongest available control, and report or escalate weakness.
Core concepts
Concept 1
A hazard is something with the potential to cause injury or ill health.
Exam cue: Complete the chain: source, exposure, person and harm.
Concept 2
Risk depends on how people encounter the hazard and the likelihood and consequence of harm.
Exam cue: Describe the actual work rather than naming only the room or equipment.
Concept 3
A useful description names the source, exposure route and credible harm rather than only a generic label.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Using hazard and risk as interchangeable words.
Guardrail: Do not normalise a familiar hazard or replace a stronger source control with a warning, procedure or PPE alone.
Writing a vague label such as poor housekeeping without explaining harm.
Guardrail: Do not normalise a familiar hazard or replace a stronger source control with a warning, procedure or PPE alone.
Memory anchors
Hazard Can Harm
The hazard is the source or condition with harmful potential.
Risk Needs Exposure
Risk changes with who encounters the hazard and how.
Name the Outcome
State the credible injury or health effect.
Specific Beats Generic
Describe the real source and activity, not a broad label.
One Hazard, Many Risks
Different tasks and people can create different exposure and outcomes.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
Which statement best describes a hazard?
Which statement best describes risk in workplace safety and health?
A rotating shaft is fully enclosed until a guard is removed for cleaning. What is the hazard?
A worker pours a corrosive liquid from a container. Which description states the risk most clearly?
Which is an example of harm rather than a hazard?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
What is Pass Harbor?
Completely free exam prep for 247 UK exams.
- Practice questions
- Flashcards
- Study guides
- Mock exams
- No registration
- No paywall
- Start instantly
“No more expensive exam prep. Quality study tools should be accessible to everyone.”