What are the primary differences between safety and risk?

The primary differences between safety and risk involve the elements of time, degree of harm, and interventions. Safety refers to the condition of being protected from or unlikely to cause danger, risk, or injury, which is focused on the current state or a specific time frame. It is about implementing measures to ensure that individuals are not exposed to harm.

On the other hand, risk encompasses the probability of a harmful event occurring over time and the potential severity of that event, which can involve considering both immediate and long-term factors. Risk analysis typically involves evaluating potential threats and determining the required interventions to mitigate those threats effectively.

Therefore, understanding that safety is about the present protective measures while risk involves future uncertainty and harm allows us to better distinguish between these two critical concepts in the context of safety management and decision-making.