What is a hazard?

A hazard is defined as something that has the potential to cause harm. This includes a wide range of factors, such as physical objects, situations, or conditions that can lead to injury, damage, or adverse health effects. Understanding hazards is crucial in healthcare and other fields as it aids in identifying risks and implementing safety measures to protect individuals and groups.

For instance, in a healthcare setting, exposure to contaminated equipment is a hazard as it may lead to infections. Recognizing and addressing such potential sources of harm is essential to ensuring safety and improving patient outcomes.

The other options do not accurately reflect the definition of a hazard. An event that can be avoided does not encompass the idea of potential harm; rather, it focuses on prevention, which is a separate concept. A situation that is always safe contradicts the very notion of a hazard, which by definition involves some degree of risk or potential danger. Lastly, a risk that cannot be measured does not align with the characteristics of a hazard, as hazards typically require assessment to determine their possible impacts on safety and health.