What is the system used to categorize substances based on their potential hazards?

The method utilized to categorize substances according to their potential hazards is referred to as hazard classification. This systematic approach helps emergency responders, safety personnel, and industries identify and communicate the risks associated with various materials. By classifying substances based on criteria such as flammability, toxicity, reactivity, and environmental impact, hazard classification promotes effective safety planning, risk management, and regulatory compliance.

Risk assessment, while related, is a broader process that examines the likelihood of harm occurring and the severity of that harm, rather than simply classifying the hazards of substances. Safety evaluation encompasses a wider scope of analysis, including not only the classification of hazards but also the evaluation of safety practices and risk management strategies. Substance indexing is not a recognized system for categorizing hazards; it generally refers to a listing or cataloging of substances rather than their categorization based on potential hazards.