Which action is a primary step in performing a risk assessment?

• A. Identify hazards
• B. Increase production quotas
• C. Sell assets
• D. Hire more staff

Answer: (A)

Identifying hazards is the foundational step in a risk assessment. Before you can evaluate risks, you need to know what could cause harm in the workplace or in a process. This step sets the scope by listing potential sources of harm—such as chemical exposures, wet floors, or faulty electrical equipment—so you can analyze how likely harm is to occur and how severe it would be. Only after hazards are identified can you estimate risk, decide on appropriate controls, and monitor effectiveness.

The other actions—pressing for higher production quotas, selling assets, or hiring more staff—are business decisions or operational actions. They don’t establish what could cause harm in the system, which is why they aren’t the primary step in performing a risk assessment.