Hazard (system safety)
A real or potential condition that could lead to a mishap.
Definition, in the source's words
MIL-STD-882E, DoD Standard Practice: System Safety (2012), 3.2.14(opens everyspec.com in a new tab)“Hazard. A real or potential condition that could lead to an unplanned event or series of events (i.e. mishap) resulting in death, injury, occupational illness, damage to or loss of equipment or property, or damage to the environment.”
What it means
A hazard is the condition, not the event. The event is the mishap; how bad and how likely it is together make the risk.
Example
An unguarded floor opening is a hazard. A worker falling through it is a mishap. Rating that fall as Catastrophic severity and Remote probability expresses the risk.
Where it appears on the exam
ASP: ASP11 Domain 2, Safety Programs and Concepts
Practice: MIL-STD-882E System Safety Process, Risk Assessment Matrix (MIL-STD-882E)
CSP: CSP11 Domain 3, Risk Management
Practice: Risk Matrix and Fault Tree Probability
CHST: CHST5 Domain 1, Hazard and Risk Identification and Control
Practice: Risk Assessment Matrix (MIL-STD-882E)
Questions
- What's the difference between a hazard and a risk?
- A hazard is a condition that could lead to a mishap. Risk combines the severity of that mishap with its probability (MIL-STD-882E, 3.2.28).
Related
Checked 2026-10-16. Spot a problem? Email hello@passcited.com.