What is the primary goal of conducting hazard assessments?

The primary goal of conducting hazard assessments is to identify potential hazards and implement measures to mitigate them. This process is critical in ensuring the safety of workers and the environment in hazardous waste operations. A thorough hazard assessment involves recognizing various types of hazards—chemical, physical, biological, and ergonomic—all of which could pose risks during operations.

By identifying these hazards, appropriate control measures can be designed and implemented to reduce the risk of exposure or incidents. This could include developing safety protocols, providing personal protective equipment (PPE), and establishing emergency response plans. Ultimately, the focus is on risk management to protect not only employees but also the surrounding community and ecosystem.

The other choices, while they touch on aspects of hazardous waste management, do not directly address the primary purpose of hazard assessments. Cost determination, schedule creation, and employee performance assessment are important in their own right, but they do not encompass the essential focus on identifying and mitigating hazards that hazard assessments prioritize.