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Open book examination
Practical risk assessment
GIC1 provisional pass mark
GIC2 pass mark
What is the difference between hazard and risk? Is a hazard the same as a risk? What is a hazard in safety? What is risk in safety?
If a learner cannot separate hazard from risk, risk assessment, control measures and NEBOSH/IOSH safety learning become much harder to understand.
A NEBOSH open book assessment is a digital, scenario-based assessment used for some certificate-level
qualifications. Learners can access resources such as notes, textbooks, learning materials and online
resources, but they must still understand the topic and apply that understanding to the scenario and task.
NEBOSH makes clear that a digital assessment is not an easy alternative to an invigilated examination.
Learners are given a realistic workplace scenario and complete tasks using scenario evidence and
underpinning knowledge gained through study and revision.
Hazard =something with the potential to cause harm.
Exposure = contact with, presence near, or involvement with a hazard.
Severity= how serious the harm could be if it occurs.
Risk assessment=the process of identifying hazards, assessing risks and selecting suitable controls.
Risk = the likelihood and seriousness of harm occurring when someone is exposed to a hazard.
Likelihood = how probable it is that harm will occur.
Control measure = an action or safeguard used to eliminate a hazard or reduce risk.
Residual risk= the risk that remains after controls are applied. .
A hazard can exist even when nobody is exposed. Risk increases when people, equipment, tasks or work conditions create exposure to that hazard.
A knife stored safely in a drawer may be a low risk. A knife used carelessly during rushed work may be a higher risk
A chemical sealed in a labelled container may present lower risk. The same chemical used without ventilation or PPE may A chemical sealed in a labelled container may present lower risk. The same chemical used without ventilation or PPE may
Working at height with guardrails, training and supervision may reduce risk. Working without edge protection may create high risk.
Who is exposed, how often they are exposed, how long they are exposed, what harm could happen, how serious it could be, what controls already exist, and how reliable those controls are.
Hazard: chemical fumes.
Exposure: worker breathes fumes during a task.
Risk: depends on concentration, duration,
ventilation, PPE, training and frequency.
Controls: substitution, ventilation, closed process,
safe procedure, PPE and monitoring.
Hazard: moving forklift.
Exposure: pedestrians walking near forklift routes.
Risk: collision, crush injury or serious injury
depending on speed, visibility, segregation and
supervision.
Controls: walkways, barriers, speed limits,
signage and training.
Incorrect : Hazard: broken arm.
Better: Hazard: unguarded moving machine part. Possible harm: broken arm, cuts or crushing injury.
A hazard is the source of harm. Risk is the chance and seriousness of harm occurring.
A chemical locked in storage and a chemical sprayed in a poorly ventilated room create different risk levels because exposure is different.
PPE may be needed, but learners should also consider elimination, substitution, engineering controls and safe systems of work.
Find the source, activity, condition or substance that can cause harm.
Think about workers, visitors, contractors, vulnerable people and others affected by the work.
Connect the hazard to possible exposure and possible harm.
This page only explains hazard vs risk. The full process belongs in the Risk Assessment Guide.
Hazard vs risk is a foundation concept for NEBOSH learners because practical risk assessment requires more than spotting dangers. Learners must understand the hazard, who may be exposed, what harm could occur, what controls exist and what further action may be needed.
IOSH Managing Safely learners need to understand hazard and risk because managers influence daily workplace safety through planning. communication, supervision and control.
This page explains the difference between hazard and risk. It does not cover full risk assessment methods,
full NEBOSH practical assessment instructions, risk assessment templates, course fees, batch dates,
registration steps, legal compliance advice, salary claims or job claims..
The correct learning path is:
Understand HSE → learn hazard vs risk → learn risk assessment→ learn hierarchy of controls→
connect to NEBOSH, IOSH or safety career route.
Use this if you now understand hazard and risk and want to learn the full assessment process
Use this if you want to understand how risks are controlled after hazards are identified.
Use this if you need the wider foundation behind health, safety and environment.
Use this if you want to understand how hazard and risk appear in practical NEBOSH risk assessment work
Use this if you are a manager or supervisor learning how to recognise hazards and control risk
Use this if you want the full learning journey and all related guides.
A simple template should include the activity or task, hazard, who may be harmed and how, existing controls, further controls, responsible person, target date and review data.
Write the specific source or situation that can cause harm, such as “moving forklift traffic near pedestrian walkway,” not vague phrases like “unsafe area.”
It means identifying the people exposed to the hazard and explaining the possible harm, such as “warehouse staff and contractors may be struck by moving forklifts.”
Existing controls are the control measures already in place, such as training, guarding, barriers, signs, procedures or ventilation.
Further controls are additional actions needed to reduce the risk, such as installing barriers, improving ventilation, replacing equipment or updating procedures.
NEBOSH states that the International General Certificate is accredited and credit-rated by Qualifications
Scotland Accreditation at SCQF Level 6 with 11 SCQF credit points.
No. Examples can help you understand structure, but your risk assessment should match your own workplace, task, hazards and controls.
It can help learners understand how to record hazards, controls and action plans, but it should not be used as a copied NEBOSH GIC2 report.
It can help learners understand how to record hazards, controls and action plans, but it should not be used as a copied NEBOSH GIC2 report.
This guide is based on HSE risk assessment guidance,
OSHA hazard identification and exposure guidance,
NEBOSH GIC2 risk assessment guidance, IOSH
Managing Safely positioning and SFAST's NEBOSH &
IOSH learning-hub structure.
This page should be reviewed whenever official risk
assessment guidance, NEBOSH assessment guidance,
IOSH guidance or SFAST learning routes are updated.
HSE risk assessment guidanceis used for the
basic distinction between identifying hazards and deciding
how likely and serious harm could be.
OSHA hazard identification guidance is used for
the relationship between hazard, exposure and risk.
NEBOSH GIC2 guidance is used only to connect
hazard/risk understanding with practical risk assessment
learning.
IOSH Managing Safely
is referenced only to show
why managers and supervisors need hazard and risk
Student-first NEBOSH & IOSH learning ecosystem for learners who want to understand safety qualifications before choosing structured training.