What best describes the difference between hazard analysis and risk assessment?

What best describes the difference between hazard analysis and risk assessment?

• A. Hazard analysis is about evaluating probability; risk assessment identifies potential hazards.
• B. Hazard analysis identifies potential hazards; risk assessment evaluates probability and severity to prioritize controls.
• C. Both are the same process.
• D. Hazard analysis only focuses on legal compliance.

Answer: (B)

Hazard analysis involves identifying potential hazards that could cause harm. Risk assessment builds on that by evaluating how likely each hazard is to occur and how severe the consequences would be if it does, which helps prioritize which controls to implement. This is why the best choice is that hazard analysis identifies potential hazards, while risk assessment evaluates probability and severity to prioritize controls. The other descriptions mix up the roles or imply they’re the same process, or limit hazard analysis to legal compliance, which doesn’t capture the actual distinction.

Hazard analysis involves identifying potential hazards that could cause harm. Risk assessment builds on that by evaluating how likely each hazard is to occur and how severe the consequences would be if it does, which helps prioritize which controls to implement. This is why the best choice is that hazard analysis identifies potential hazards, while risk assessment evaluates probability and severity to prioritize controls. The other descriptions mix up the roles or imply they’re the same process, or limit hazard analysis to legal compliance, which doesn’t capture the actual distinction.