Difference Between Hazard and Risk

Hazard vs risk

Hazards and risks are everywhere. Some people think that hazard and risk are the same and one is a synonym of the other. But the real fact is that hazard and risk are used in different contexts. So it is always better to have an understanding of the two words so that it could be used as per the situations.

What is hazard? It is an existing situation that is likely to cause damage. For example, electricity, chemicals, toxic gas or some heavy work can be hazardous. Hazard can also be said for a situation or an object that could adversely affect the surroundings.

What is risk? It is a potential harm or danger anticipated in the future, which could be mitigated or avoided rather than the present issues that should be immediately looked into. For example, climbing a hill or swimming the ocean are considered to be risks.  

So it is clear that hazard has an existing situation whereas risk only has an anticipated situation. When talking of hazards and risks, the former one is the potential to cause damage or harm while the latter one is only the likelihood of damage or harm. Risks can be negligible when compared to hazards.

Risk is a term that has been derived from classical Greek word Rizikon, which means ‘root’ and later was used in Latin language for ‘cliff’. Hazard has been taken from the Old French word hazard, which means a ‘game of chance using dice’.

Though we have definite differences between hazard and risk, most of the people use the two words as a synonym of the other.

Summary

1. Hazard and risk are used in different contexts.
2. Hazard is an existing situation, which is likely to cause damage or harm. Risk is a potential harm or danger anticipated in the future, which could be mitigated or avoided.
3. Hazard has an existing situation whereas risk only has an anticipated situation.
4. Risks can be negligible when compared to hazards.
5. When talking of hazards and risks, the former one is the potential to cause damage or harm while the latter one is only the likelihood of damage or harm.
6. Risk is a term that has been derived from classical Greek word Rizikon, which means ‘root’. Hazard has been taken from Old French word hazard, which means a ‘game of chance using dice’. 

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