What is the key difference between a hazard and a risk in the context of mine safety?

What is the key difference between a hazard and a risk in the context of mine safety?

• A. A hazard is a source of potential harm; risk is the likelihood and consequence of that harm materialising, used to determine control measures.
• B. Hazard is the severity of harm; risk is the probability of an event.
• C. Hazard and risk are interchangeable terms.
• D. Risk is the source of potential harm; hazard is the probability.

Answer: (A)

The key distinction is that a hazard is a source or situation with the potential to cause harm, while risk combines that potential with how likely the harm is to occur and how severe it would be if it did. In mine safety, you identify hazards (like a gas pocket, exposed electrical gear, or unstable rock) and then assess risk by considering how likely that harm could happen to workers and how serious the consequences would be. That risk assessment then guides what controls you implement to reduce the risk, such as ventilation, guards, or procedures. That’s why the best answer says a hazard is a source of potential harm and risk is the likelihood and consequence of that harm materialising, used to determine control measures. The other statements mix up the roles or claim they are interchangeable.

The key distinction is that a hazard is a source or situation with the potential to cause harm, while risk combines that potential with how likely the harm is to occur and how severe it would be if it did. In mine safety, you identify hazards (like a gas pocket, exposed electrical gear, or unstable rock) and then assess risk by considering how likely that harm could happen to workers and how serious the consequences would be. That risk assessment then guides what controls you implement to reduce the risk, such as ventilation, guards, or procedures.

That’s why the best answer says a hazard is a source of potential harm and risk is the likelihood and consequence of that harm materialising, used to determine control measures. The other statements mix up the roles or claim they are interchangeable.