What is and hazard in health and social care?

A hazard relates to anything that could casue harm to somebody, whether it be a service user or a member of staff. A hazard could be a substance i.e. medication. If its stored in accessable cupboards, in reach of children, this is a hazard as anybody could get hold of. A simple example would be rugs in a care/ residential home. A rug is a hazard as people could trip of the edges.