Hazards and Risks 

A hazard is anything that has the potential to cause harm to personnel, equipment or the environment. Risk is the probability that a hazard will become active and cause harm. For example, high voltage electric current is always a hazard, but we are able to put electricity safely to work because we are able to manage the risks by selecting good equipment, installing and maintaining it properly and taking precaution when we work on electrical systems. Electricity is always a hazard, but not necessarily a risk, as long as we treat it carefully. Ships are full of hazards but that doesn’t mean we allow them to cause harm. The risks associated with those hazards can be controlled through a careful program of workplace safety management.