Hazard Analysis is defined as which?

• A. It is a process used to develop a list of hazards, which are of such significance that they are reasonably likely to cause injury or illness if not effectively controlled
• B. It is a historical hazard list
• C. It is a regulatory requirement
• D. It is a marketing risk assessment

Answer: (A)

Hazard analysis is a structured process used to identify potential hazards and determine which ones are significant enough to require controls. It focuses on hazards that are reasonably likely to cause injury or illness if not managed, and it weighs both how serious the harm could be and how probable it is to occur. The aim is to prioritize risks so that prevention and control measures can be targeted where they will have the biggest impact on safety.

This isn’t just about making a historical list of hazards, nor is it defined by regulatory mandates alone. It’s a proactive assessment that guides where to apply resources for prevention. A marketing risk assessment or other non-safety-focused analyses don’t capture the safety-specific idea of identifying hazards that could cause harm and prioritizing them for control.