What is the role of a hazard assessment?

The role of a hazard assessment is primarily focused on identifying potential risks in the workplace, which crucially includes determining the need for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Conducting a hazard assessment involves systematically inspecting the work environment to pinpoint hazards that could result in injury or illness to employees.

By identifying these hazards, the assessment helps in selecting appropriate PPE that can mitigate the risk of exposure to these dangers. This is essential for ensuring that employees are adequately protected when they are performing their tasks in potentially hazardous conditions. Additionally, recognizing the need for PPE promotes compliance with safety regulations, thereby fostering a safer workplace.

The other options, while related to workplace conditions, do not directly pertain to the primary function of a hazard assessment. For example, assessing employee satisfaction is more aligned with HR functions, evaluating production efficiency relates to operations management, and checking safety records is typically part of compliance audits rather than identifying workplace hazards.