Hazard/risk evaluation - What is it?

Many have struggled with how to address the requirement for an evaluation contained in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E [1]. Many believe that risk management meets this requirement. This article will provide a definition for what a hazard/risk evaluation is and a method for performing a hazard/risk evaluation. The risk assessment and how it fits in an overall risk management process and the relationship between risk assessment and hazard/risk evaluation are also discussed. The flowchart currently in NFPA 70E does not start with the right question and needs modification. This article will explore a new starting place for the thought process and suggest that the flowchart in NFPA 70E needs modification.