Hazard severity levels are categorized into five levels. Which option correctly lists these levels in order from most severe to least severe?

• A. Minor, Moderate, Serious, Critical, Catastrophic
• B. Catastrophic, Critical, Serious, Moderate, Minor
• C. Catastrophic, Serious, Critical, Moderate, Minor
• D. Catastrophic, Critical, Serious, Moderate, Minor describing the impact on people, equipment, or mission.

Answer: (D)

Hazard severity is about how bad the outcome could be for people, equipment, or the mission. The five levels, from most severe to least, are Catastrophic, Critical, Serious, Moderate, Minor. Catastrophic means the event could cause loss of life or a complete mission failure; Critical involves severe injury, major equipment loss, or a severely degraded mission; Serious covers injuries or damage that are significant but not life-threatening and would have a substantial but not total impact on capability; Moderate indicates minor injuries or damage with limited impact on the mission; Minor is minimal or negligible impact. The option that lists these levels in that exact order reflects the standard hazard severity scale and aligns with how impacts across people, equipment, and mission are described.