Which statement best describes the difference between hazard identification and hazard analysis?

• A. Hazard identification is recognizing possible hazards; hazard analysis assesses risk by evaluating likelihood and consequences.
• B. Hazard analysis is the initial step of recognizing hazards.
• C. Hazard identification involves quantifying risk and consequences.
• D. Hazard analysis only considers regulatory compliance, not risk.

Answer: (A)

Hazard identification focuses on spotting what could cause harm in a process or operation. Hazard analysis takes those identified hazards and assesses risk by looking at how likely the hazard is to occur and what the consequences would be if it happened. This likelihood × consequence approach helps prioritize which hazards need controls.

The statement that hazard identification is recognizing possible hazards while hazard analysis evaluates risk by evaluating likelihood and consequences best captures this distinction. The other options misstate the order or scope: hazard analysis is not the initial step of recognizing hazards, hazard identification does not quantify risk and consequences, and hazard analysis is not limited to regulatory compliance but centers on risk.