What is the primary purpose of a hazard assessment in the workplace?

• A. To identify potential hazards and determine appropriate controls before work begins.
• B. To review past incidents only.
• C. To document compliance with accident reporting.
• D. To reduce training time.

Answer: (A)

Hazard assessment in the workplace focuses on identifying potential hazards and determining appropriate controls before work begins. By examining tasks, equipment, environments, and processes ahead of time, you lay out the measures needed to prevent injuries or illnesses, choosing the right mix of engineering, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment. This proactive planning helps prioritize actions based on risk and ensures workers know what hazards exist and how they are being controlled.

Reviewing past incidents can inform risk, but it isn’t the main goal—hazard assessment is about foreseeing and mitigating hazards before they cause harm. Documenting accident reporting serves compliance and records, not the primary purpose of planning safety controls. Reducing training time isn’t the objective; the focus is on effective prevention and control.