What does mitigating risk mean?

• A. Reducing the likelihood or impact of a hazard to an acceptable level through controls and decisions.
• B. Accepting a hazard as part of operations.
• C. Transferring all risk to another unit.
• D. Ignoring hazards.

Answer: (A)

Mitigating risk means taking actions to reduce either the likelihood of a hazard causing harm or the severity of harm if it occurs, so the overall risk is brought to an acceptable level. This is done through controls and decisions—such as eliminating the hazard, using engineering or administrative controls, training, procedures, or protective equipment—that lower either the chance of an incident or its impact. It’s a proactive part of the risk management process used in the field to protect people and mission objectives. Accepting a hazard, transferring all risk, or ignoring hazards do not reduce risk through active controls to an acceptable level.