Which is NOT a main step in a risk assessment in an operational setting?

• A. Hazard identification
• B. Exposure assessment
• C. Dose–response
• D. Cost-benefit analysis

Answer: (D)

In an operational risk assessment, you go through identifying what could cause harm (hazard identification), figuring out who or what is exposed and how much exposure there is (exposure assessment), understanding how the level of exposure relates to potential harm (dose–response assessment), and then integrating all of that to describe the overall risk (risk characterization). These steps quantify the health or safety risk so you know how serious the situation is.

Cost-benefit analysis, on the other hand, is a decision-making tool used after risk has been assessed to weigh the economic costs and benefits of potential controls or interventions. It guides management choices, but it isn’t a core step in the risk assessment process itself. That’s why it’s not considered a main step in risk assessment.