Veszélyelemzés

Veszélyelemzés, often translated as hazard analysis or risk assessment, is a systematic process used to identify potential hazards and evaluate the associated risks in a given situation, system, or activity. The primary goal is to understand what could go wrong, how likely it is to happen, and what the consequences would be. This understanding forms the basis for implementing appropriate control measures to mitigate or eliminate unacceptable risks.

The process typically involves several key steps. First, hazards are identified, which are anything that has the potential to cause harm. This could range from physical dangers in a workplace to potential failures in a complex engineering system or threats to cybersecurity. Once identified, the likelihood of each hazard occurring and the severity of its potential impact are assessed. This assessment often involves qualitative methods, such as expert judgment and brainstorming, or quantitative methods, using statistical data and modeling.

Following the assessment, risks are prioritized based on their level. High-priority risks, which are either very likely to occur with severe consequences or have a moderate likelihood with extremely severe consequences, require immediate attention. Control measures are then developed and implemented to reduce the identified risks to an acceptable level. These measures can include eliminating the hazard, substituting it with a less hazardous alternative, implementing engineering controls, administrative controls, or providing personal protective equipment. Finally, the effectiveness of the implemented control measures is reviewed and monitored, and the entire process may be revisited periodically or when significant changes occur. Veszélyelemzés is a crucial tool for proactive safety management and decision-making across various industries and disciplines.