During the assessment of OEH Risks, what is primarily characterized?

The primary focus during the assessment of Occupational and Environmental Health (OEH) risks is on identifying threats and evaluating their potential impacts. This involves recognizing various hazards in the environment or workplace and assessing how they can affect human health and safety.

In this process, risk assessors look at both the likelihood of exposure to these hazards and the potential consequences if such exposure occurs. By characterizing these threats, they can prioritize which risks need to be addressed and create strategies to mitigate those risks effectively. This comprehensive understanding is essential for developing policies and safety measures that protect individuals and communities from significant health concerns.

Other options, while relevant to the broader context of risk management, do not capture the central objective of the initial risk assessment phase as effectively. For example, understanding the benefits of safety measures or calculating the overall costs are important aspects of implementing risk management but are not the primary focus during the initial risk assessment. Similarly, while the legal implications regarding hazardous materials are crucial for compliance and regulatory frameworks, they do not directly address the characterization of risks themselves.