Noun

Singular hazard

Plural hazards

hazard (plural hazards)

1. chance
2. peril
3. obstacle

Verb

Infinitive to hazard

Third person singular hazards

Simple past hazarded

Past participle hazarded

Present participle hazarding

to hazard (third-person singular simple present hazards, present participle hazarding, simple past and past participle hazarded)

1. To expose to chance; to take a risk.

   I'll hazard a guess.

2. To incur or venture.

A hazard is a situation that poses a level of threat to life, health, property, or environment. Most hazards are dormant or potential, with only a theoretical risk of harm; however, once a hazard becomes 'active', it can create an emergency situation. A hazard does not exist when it is happening. A hazardous situation that has come to pass is called an incident. Hazard and vulnerability interact together to create risk.

Modes of a hazard

A hazard is usually used to describe a potentially harmful situation, although not usually the event itself; once the incident has started it is classified as an emergency or incident. There are many modes for a hazard, which include:

• Dormant - The situation has the potential to be hazardous, but no people, property, or environment is currently affected by this. For instance, a hillside may be unstable, with the potential for a landslide, but there is nothing below or on the hillside that could be affected.
• Potential - Also known as 'Armed', this is a situation wherein the hazard is in the position to affect persons, property, or environment. This type of hazard is likely to require further risk assessment.
• Active - The hazard is certain to cause lose, as no intervention is possible before the incident occurs. Being force fed a poisoned pie is an example.
• Mitigated - A potential hazard has been identified, but actions have been taken in order to ensure it does not become an incident. This may not be an absolute guarantee of no risk, but it is likely to have been undertaken to significantly reduce the danger.