What is the definition of a hazard in a health and safety context?

In a health and safety context, a hazard is defined as a condition or situation that has the potential to cause injury, illness, or even fatality. Recognizing what constitutes a hazard is essential for implementing effective safety measures. This definition encompasses a wide variety of potential dangers, from physical hazards such as machinery and chemicals to ergonomic hazards related to workplace design. Understanding that a hazard is specifically about the presence of something that could potentially cause harm allows safety professionals to focus on identifying and mitigating these risks before they result in actual incidents.

In contrast, the other options pertain to different aspects of safety management. The likelihood of suffering harm refers to risk assessment, which considers both the presence of hazards and the probability of them causing harm. A risk management strategy outlines steps to address identified risks but does not define what a hazard is. An assessment tool for evaluating risks helps in analyzing and managing hazards but is not itself a definition of hazard. Thus, option A specifically encapsulates the idea of what a hazard is in the realm of health and safety.