In risk assessment, what is the first step?

In risk assessment, the first step is to identify potential hazards. This foundational stage involves recognizing anything in the environment that could potentially cause harm to individuals, property, or operations. By identifying these hazards, decision-makers can understand the scope of risk they are dealing with and can prioritize which risks need to be controlled or mitigated.

Identifying hazards lays the groundwork for the subsequent steps in the risk assessment process. If the hazards are not known or clearly defined, it becomes significantly more challenging to effectively evaluate, implement control measures, or determine who might be harmed by these risks. This initial step is crucial because it drives the entire risk management strategy, ensuring that all potential threats are accounted for before moving on to evaluate the level of risk associated with each hazard.