Which statement best differentiates hazard identification from risk assessment in occupational health?

Which statement best differentiates hazard identification from risk assessment in occupational health?

• A. Hazard Identification locates potential sources of harm; Risk Assessment estimates exposure frequency.
• B. Hazard Identification locates potential sources of harm; Risk Assessment estimates the likelihood and severity of adverse health effects given exposure.
• C. Hazard Identification assesses exposure risk; Risk Assessment identifies hazards.
• D. Hazard Identification locates potential sources of harm; Risk Assessment only concerns financial risk.

Answer: (B)

Hazard identification is about spotting potential sources of harm in the workplace—things like a toxic chemical, an unguarded machine, or a repetitive motion that could cause injury. It answers the question: could this cause harm at all? Risk assessment then takes that identified hazard and looks at exposure to determine how likely it is that harm will occur and how severe it could be if exposure happens. This means considering actual work conditions: how much of the hazard workers are exposed to, how long, how often, the route of exposure, and the hazard’s toxic potency, plus who might be most affected. So, for a solvent discovered as a hazard, hazard identification notes the potential harm; risk assessment estimates the likelihood and severity of adverse health effects given the exposure scenario. The other phrasings mix up the roles or bring in unrelated concepts (like financial risk), which don’t fit occupational health practice.

Hazard identification is about spotting potential sources of harm in the workplace—things like a toxic chemical, an unguarded machine, or a repetitive motion that could cause injury. It answers the question: could this cause harm at all? Risk assessment then takes that identified hazard and looks at exposure to determine how likely it is that harm will occur and how severe it could be if exposure happens. This means considering actual work conditions: how much of the hazard workers are exposed to, how long, how often, the route of exposure, and the hazard’s toxic potency, plus who might be most affected. So, for a solvent discovered as a hazard, hazard identification notes the potential harm; risk assessment estimates the likelihood and severity of adverse health effects given the exposure scenario. The other phrasings mix up the roles or bring in unrelated concepts (like financial risk), which don’t fit occupational health practice.