a safety risk

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a safety risk" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used to refer to a potential danger posed to someone's safety or wellbeing. For example, "The crumbling stairwell was a safety risk, so it was repaired as soon as possible."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But if you see an 'expired on' label there is a safety risk".

The Guardian

The captain said I was a safety risk and ordered me off the plane.

The Guardian - Film

A laser can pose a safety risk if it is shined directly into the eye.

The New York Times - Tech

Why or why not? –How does one go about "measuring" a safety risk?

The New York Times

His father is a safety risk management expert at the Federal Aviation Administration in Washington.

The New York Times

Like any gadget in a car, G.P.S. receivers are a distraction, and therefore a safety risk.

The New York Times - Tech

Nurses are asked to remove necklaces because they're a safety risk.

The Guardian

Such oscillations are representing a safety risk and have repeatedly led to damage so that reconstruction has to be undertaken.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

The Claim: Traditional conker matches between schoolchildren are banned as they represent a safety risk.

Independent

After he had taken that seat, Mr. Smith was told he was deemed a safety risk.

The New York Times - Travel

Some athletes have faced arguments that their inclusion may pose a safety risk.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When assessing situations, quantify the "safety risk" by identifying the likelihood of occurrence and the potential severity of consequences. This helps prioritize mitigation efforts.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating minor inconveniences as "a safety risk". Use more precise language to describe the actual issue, such as "a potential tripping hazard" or "a minor security concern" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a safety risk" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving to identify something as posing a potential threat to safety. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is both correct and widely used. Examples in Ludwig show it being used to describe diverse sources of potential danger, from expired food labels to structural damage in buildings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

34%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a safety risk" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to identify potential dangers or hazards. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans various contexts, with particular prevalence in news, scientific literature, and general discussions. When using this phrase, it's important to quantify the risk by considering its likelihood and severity, while avoiding exaggeration. Alternatives like "a hazard to safety" or "a potential hazard" can offer nuanced expressions of the same concept. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively employ "a safety risk" in your writing to communicate potential dangers clearly and accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a hazard to safety

This alternative uses "hazard" instead of "risk", emphasizing the potential for danger.

a danger to safety

Replaces "risk" with "danger", highlighting the potential for harm.

a security risk

Focuses on the security aspect of the potential danger, often in contexts involving protection from threats.

a potential hazard

Uses "potential" to emphasize the possibility of a hazard, rather than a definite one.

a possible danger

Replaces "risk" with "danger" and adds "possible" to denote a potential threat.

a threat to safety

Substitutes "risk" with "threat", underscoring the potential for harm or damage.

a source of danger

Emphasizes the origin or cause of the potential danger.

a cause for concern regarding safety

Expresses worry or unease about safety, highlighting the problematic aspect.

compromising safety

This describes the action that produces a state where safety is endangered.

posing a threat to safety

This suggests the safety is actively threatened by an outside factor.

FAQs

How can I use "a safety risk" in a sentence?

You can use "a safety risk" to describe something that could potentially cause harm or injury. For example, "The broken equipment was considered "a safety risk" and was immediately taken out of service."

What's the difference between "a safety risk" and "a hazard"?

"A safety risk" refers to the potential for harm, while "a hazard" is the thing that could cause the harm. A faulty electrical cord is a hazard, and it presents "a safety risk".

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "a safety risk"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "a potential hazard", "a possible danger", or "a threat to safety".

Is it redundant to say "safety risk", since risks are often related to safety?

While "risk" often implies a threat to safety, specifying "safety risk" can provide clarity and emphasize that the risk specifically involves physical or psychological well-being, rather than financial or other types of risks.