hazard
Let an agent identify hazards by type, source and exposure, and keep hazard and risk apart, so that assessments and warnings are sound.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent identify hazards by type, source and exposure, and keep hazard and risk apart, so that assessments and warnings are sound.
A source or situation with the potential to cause harm to people, property or the environment, as distinct from risk, which combines the likelihood and severity of that harm.
What it is for: Finding what could cause harm so that it can be controlled.
It can be identify it, in a hazard assessment; assess the risk it poses; control it, by elimination, substitution, engineering, administration or protective equipment; warn about it, with signs and labels.
Distinguishing features
Potential for harm, not the probability of harm
Risk depends on exposure; a hazard with no exposure carries little risk
Natural and human-made hazards
Handled through a hierarchy of controls
What it looks like
Varies: a chemical, a slope, a machine, a fault line, a minefield; many hazards are invisible.
How it is recognised
Warning signs and hazard pictograms
Hazard maps for natural hazards such as seismic zones
Absence of a sign does not mean absence of a hazard
Related models
is confused with - risk combines likelihood and severity
is controlled by - standard approach
is communicated by - warnings
has kind - hazards in systems
In practice
Families and kinds
physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, psychosocial hazards
natural hazards: seismic, flood, volcanic, storm
anthropogenic hazards: industrial, explosive remnants such as minefields
travel and diving hazards
Standards and regulation
ISO 31000 risk management and ISO 45001 occupational safety
UN GHS for chemical hazards
Sendai Framework for disaster risk reduction
ISO 7010 safety signs
Failure modes and hazards
Confusing hazard with risk, leading to wrong priorities
Missing invisible hazards
Relying on protective equipment instead of eliminating the hazard
Also called
+697
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Also registered as vr.tr.hazard
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Identification What could cause harm.
Controls start with finding the hazard.
Type
Physical, chemical, biological.
Hazard type
The hazard type.
- What type of hazard is this? definition
- What is its source? definition
Evidence
How it was identified.
Identification method
The identification method.
- How was the hazard identified? provenance
- What could have been missed? boundary
Risk Likelihood and severity.
Risk decides priority.
Exposure
Who and how often.
Exposure
Who is exposed and how.
- Who is exposed, how often and for how long? measurement
- Which groups are most vulnerable? boundary
Risk rating
Likelihood and severity.
Risk estimate
The risk rating.
- How likely and how severe is harm? measurement
- Which method produced the rating? provenance
Control Reducing the risk.
The hierarchy of controls orders measures by effectiveness.
Control measures
Hierarchy of controls.
Controls
Measures in place.
- Which controls are in place, from elimination to PPE? action
- Could the hazard be eliminated? action
Residual risk
What remains.
Residual risk
Risk after controls.
- What risk remains after controls? measurement
- Is it acceptable, and who decided? provenance
Communication Warning people.
Warnings must be clear, standard and noticed.
Signs and labels
Standard warnings.
Warnings
Signs and labels used.
- Is the hazard marked with standard signs or labels? boundary
- Are they understood by the people exposed? measurement
Emergency response
What to do if harm occurs.
Emergency plan
Response plan.
- What should people do if the hazard causes harm? action
- Who should be contacted? action
What the second pass must settle
- Should hazard types be separate entries?
- How should natural hazard maps be linked?
- How should agents word warnings so they are clear and not alarmist?