Definition of Hazard

Any real or potential condition that can cause injury, illness, or death to personnel; damage to or loss of a system, equipment or property; or damage to the environment (MIL-STD-882D).

    Concept of Hazard Triangle

    Hazard Components

1. Hazardous elements (HE)

2. Initiating mechanism (IM)

3. Target and Threat (T/T)

      1. Hazardous elements (HE)

This is the basic hazardous resource creating the impetus for the hazard, such as a hazardous energy source such as explosives being used in the system.

      2. Initiating mechanism (IM)

This is the trigger or initiator events causing the hazard to occur. The IM causes actualization or transformation of the hazard from a dormant state to an active mishap state.

      3. Target and Threat (T/T)

i. Threat:	This is the mishap outcome (incident or accident) and expected to cause consequential damage and loss.
ii. Target :	This is the person or property that is vulnerable to injury and/or damage, and also describes the severity of the mishap event.

    Examples of Hazard components

Hazardous elements	Initiating mechanism	Target/Threat
High pressure tank	Tank rupture	Explosion; death/injury
Fuel	Fuel leak and ignition source	Fire; loss of system; death/injury
High Voltage	Touching an exposed contact	Electrocution; death/injury

    ***Source: Industrial Safety Engineering: Prof. J Maiti (NPTEL)***