Which term refers to the overall danger or threat from a hazard, combining its probability of occurrence and potential severity?

• A. Hazard
• B. Risk
• C. Residual Risk
• D. Accident Risk

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is that risk is the overall danger posed by a hazard because it combines how likely harm is to occur with how severe that harm could be. A hazard is something with the potential to cause harm, like a wet floor or a chemical spill. Risk, on the other hand, looks at both the likelihood of an incident happening and the magnitude of its consequences, often expressed as a product or a rating on a risk matrix. This explains why risk is the best answer: it explicitly accounts for both probability and severity, giving a single measure of overall danger. Residual risk refers to what remains after controls are put in place, not the initial overall danger. Accident risk isn’t a standard separate term for the general concept.