In the context of risk assessment, which sequence is commonly used?

• A. Hazard Identification, Exposure Assessment, Risk Characterization
• B. Exposure Assessment, Hazard Identification, Risk Characterization
• C. Risk Characterization, Hazard Identification, Exposure Assessment
• D. Hazard Identification, Risk Characterization, Exposure Assessment

Answer: (B)

In risk assessment, the sequence begins by estimating who or what is exposed and under what conditions. Starting with exposure assessment helps you understand the magnitude, duration, frequency, and routes of exposure for the population or workers involved. This context shows which hazards are actually relevant to the exposed group, guiding a focused and efficient hazard identification process. Once you know the exposure landscape, you identify the hazards that could cause harm within that context. Finally, risk characterization brings together the hazard information with the exposure data to estimate risk and prioritize controls. If hazard identification were done before understanding exposure, you might spend effort on hazards that aren’t actually pertinent to the real exposure scenario, making the assessment less efficient and potentially misdirected.