Definitions relating to risk assessment

The first chapter of this book included basic definitions relating to the management of safety. There is a wide range and some diversity of terminology contained within British and European standards and HSE and industry guidance. The following definitions, drawn from the standards and guidance, are used in this book. 

Something with the potential to cause harm. A source or situation that could cause harm such as chemicals, electricity, working at height, hot work processes and in the case of an emergency an inability to respond and escape to a place of safety. 

Harm includes the effects relating to human injury and ill health, damage to the environment or loss to an organisation. 

A combination of the likelihood (chance or probability) of a specified event occurring and should it do so, the severity (or consequences) of the outcome. 

The process of identifying hazards and evaluating the level of risk (including to whom and how many are affected) arising from the hazards, taking into account any existing risk control measures. 

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