This poster is breaking down one of the most confused ideas in safety - Hazard vs Risk. They sound the same but they mean very different things

 This poster is breaking down one of the most confused ideas in safety - Hazard vs Risk. They sound the same but they mean very different things.

1. HAZARD - What could hurt you

A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm.

Think of it as the source of danger. The poster says:

It exists even if no one is near it. A live wire is still a hazard even when the building is empty.

It can be many types: physical (height, moving machine, electricity), chemical (fuel, cleaning chemicals), biological (mold, bacteria), ergonomic (heavy lifting, bad posture), or psychological (stress, harassment).

It's not a risk until someone is exposed. The danger is there, but it only becomes a risk when a person comes into contact with it.

Examples: electricity, chemicals, working at height, moving machinery, that wet floor.

2. RISK - How likely it will hurt you, and how bad

Risk is the chance that the hazard will cause harm, and how serious the harm could be.

This is the calculation in your head:

Likelihood: How likely is it to happen?

Severity: If it does happen, how bad will it be?

It depends on exposure: how, when, who is exposed, and what controls you have.

You can reduce risk by managing the hazard. You may not remove the hazard completely, but you can make the risk low.

In safety we often write it as: Risk = Likelihood x Severity

Examples of risk: injury, illness, property damage, loss of production.

3. The simple example that ties it together

This is the best part of the poster:

HAZARD: Wet floor - it can cause a slip.

EXPOSURE: Someone walks on it. Now the hazard has a person.

RISK: There is a chance of slipping and falling. Will the person just slip or break a leg? That's likelihood + severity.

CONTROL: Remove the water, use non-slip mats, put up the "Clean Floor" / "Wet Floor" sign to reduce the risk.

So:

No exposure = Hazard exists, Risk = 0

With exposure but no control = High risk

With exposure + good control = Low risk

4. Key Differences at a glance

Hazard:

Is a source of danger

Exists even without people

Example: the puddle of oil on the floor

Risk:

Is the chance of harm from that source

Exists ONLY when there is exposure

Example: a worker slipping on that oil and getting injured

5. The Bottom Line

Hazards are what can hurt you. Risks are how likely it is to hurt you, and how bad it could be.

That's why the process is always:

1. Identify hazards. 2. Assess risks. 3. Take action.

And the tagline at the bottom: SPOT THE HAZARD • UNDERSTAND THE RISK • WORK SAFER

For your toolbox talks, you can use everyday examples:

Hazard = generator exhaust fumes. Risk = carbon monoxide poisoning if you run it in a closed shop without ventilation. Control = move it outside, proper ventilation.

Hazard = working at height. Risk = fall with serious injury. Control = harness, guardrails, scaffolding. 🌡️🚧🗼🚨⚠️🚦🏗️🦺🚥

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