What Is the Difference Between a Hazard and a Risk?
In workplace health and safety, the terms hazard and risk are often mentioned together — but they mean very different things. Understanding the distinction is essential for building a safe and compliant workplace.
At Candy Management Consultants, we work with businesses across the UK to improve safety standards and achieve compliance with legal requirements such as ISO 45001 and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. This guide will help you clearly understand what hazards and risks are, why the difference matters, and how to manage both effectively.
What Is a Hazard?
A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm. Hazards exist in every workplace, from construction sites and manufacturing facilities to offices and retail spaces.
Common types of hazards include:
- Physical hazards: Slippery floors, machinery, working at height, noise, poor lighting.
- Chemical hazards: Cleaning agents, dusts, solvents, or fumes.
- Biological hazards: Bacteria, viruses, or other infectious materials.
- Ergonomic hazards: Poor posture, repetitive strain, or manual handling tasks.
- Psychosocial hazards: Stress, harassment, long working hours, or high workloads.
Hazards cannot always be completely removed, but identifying them is the first step toward effective control.
What Is a Risk?
A risk is the likelihood that a hazard will actually cause harm, and how serious that harm could be.
For instance:
- Hazard: A wet floor.
- Risk: The chance of an employee slipping, falling, and sustaining an injury.
The level of risk depends on:
- The frequency of exposure to the hazard.
- The potential severity of the outcome.
- The existing control measures in place.
Understanding risk allows employers to prioritise where action is needed most — ensuring time and resources are used effectively to prevent accidents.
Why It’s Important to Know the Difference
Recognising the difference between hazards and risks is the foundation of effective health and safety management.
You can’t always remove every hazard, but you can control the risk it poses through thoughtful planning and regular assessment. This distinction is vital when completing a risk assessment, which is a legal requirement under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Without understanding this difference, it’s easy to overlook potential dangers or fail to apply the right safety controls.
The Five Steps of Risk Assessment
To manage hazards and risks effectively, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) recommends following a structured five-step process:
- Identify the hazards – Look for anything that could cause harm.
- Determine who might be harmed and how – Consider employees, contractors, and visitors.
- Evaluate the risks and decide on controls – Assess the likelihood and severity, then determine how to reduce risks.
- Record your findings and implement measures – Documenting your process ensures compliance and accountability.
- Review and update regularly – Workplaces change over time, so risk assessments should be revisited frequently.
This approach ensures that risks are systematically identified, managed, and monitored — keeping everyone safer.
Using the Hierarchy of Control
The Hierarchy of Control helps determine the most effective way to manage risks. The controls are ranked from most to least effective:
- Elimination – Remove the hazard entirely.
- Substitution – Replace the hazard with something safer.
- Engineering controls – Isolate people from the hazard (e.g., barriers, ventilation).
- Administrative controls – Introduce training, signage, and supervision.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – Provide appropriate PPE as a last line of defence.
By following this hierarchy, employers can minimise risks in a systematic and effective way.
Example: Managing Slips, Trips, and Falls
Let’s take a practical example:
- Hazard: Wet floor near an entrance.
- Risk: An employee or visitor slipping and sustaining a back or head injury.
Controls could include:
- Placing wet floor signage immediately after cleaning.
- Using non-slip mats and footwear.
- Scheduling cleaning during quieter hours.
- Training staff to identify and report hazards.
This process illustrates how understanding both the hazard and the risk leads to practical, preventative action.
Legal Responsibilities for Employers
UK employers have a legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety, and welfare of their employees.
This includes:
- Conducting regular risk assessments.
- Implementing effective control measures.
- Providing information, instruction, and training.
- Reviewing and improving safety procedures as necessary.
Failure to meet these obligations can result in enforcement action, fines, or even prosecution — but most importantly, it can put people’s lives at risk.
How Candy Management Consultants Can Help
At Candy Management Consultants, we specialise in helping organisations identify hazards, assess risks, and implement robust health and safety management systems.
Our consultants can support you with:
- Comprehensive risk assessments and safety audits.
- ISO 45001 implementation and certification support.
- Development of health and safety policies and procedures.
- Staff training and awareness programmes.
By partnering with us, you can ensure your business not only meets compliance requirements but also promotes a strong safety culture across all levels of your organisation.
Conclusion
In summary:
- A hazard is anything with the potential to cause harm.
- A risk is the likelihood and severity of that harm actually occurring.
Understanding and managing both effectively is at the heart of workplace health and safety. By regularly assessing hazards, evaluating risks, and implementing control measures, businesses can protect their people and build safer working environments.
If your organisation needs support developing a risk assessment or implementing a structured safety management system, contact Candy Management Consultants today.
Get in touch to discuss your business’s health and safety needs.
