Malcolm Rivera
Workplace hazards are any objects, materials, situations, or activities in an occupational setting that have the potential to cause harm to people or the environment. They can arise from various aspects of the working world, including equipment, dangerous materials, unsafe working practices, and the behaviour of people. Hazards in the workplace can be categorised into six types: safety, biological, physical, ergonomic, chemical, and workload hazards. Safety hazards, for example, can include slips, trips, and falls, and electrical issues. Biological hazards, on the other hand, refer to substances from people, animals, or plants that threaten health, such as exposure to dangerous substances and diseases. Employers and employees must understand the issues surrounding risks and hazards at work to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety Hazards | Spills, trips, falls, working at height, machinery, tools, materials, handling, tractors, electrical hazards, etc. |
| Biological Hazards | Bacteria, viruses, insects, plants, birds, animals, and humans |
| Physical Hazards | Substances or activities that threaten physical safety |
| Ergonomic Hazards | Improperly adjusted workstations and chairs, frequent lifting, poor posture, etc. |
| Chemical Hazards | Liquids, vapors, fumes, gases, flammable materials, pesticides |
| Workload Hazards | Stressors causing psychosocial hazards like tension, anxiety, or strain |
| Environmental Hazards | Extreme weather conditions, unpredictable climate changes |
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What You'll Learn
- Safety hazards: unsafe working conditions, machinery, spills, trips, falls, etc
- Physical hazards: environmental factors that can harm the body without touching it
- Ergonomic hazards: improper workstations, frequent lifting, poor posture, etc
- Chemical hazards: exposure to chemical preparations (solids, liquids, gases)
- Biological hazards: exposure to infectious materials, e.g. blood, bacteria, viruses
Safety hazards: unsafe working conditions, machinery, spills, trips, falls, etc
Safety hazards are the most common type of hazard in the workplace. They refer to unsafe working conditions that can cause injuries, illnesses, and even fatalities. Safety hazards can affect any employee but are more likely to affect those who work with machinery or on construction sites.
Spills, trips, and falls are common safety hazards. In 2019, slips, trips, and falls caused around 28% of workplace injuries. Spills can be caused by liquids or ice, while trips can be caused by uneven surfaces, clutter, or obstructions. Falls can be caused by working at heights, such as on ladders, scaffolds, or roofs, or by insufficient railings or broken equipment. Employers can prevent these hazards by regularly cleaning and repairing walking surfaces, enforcing policies that reduce clutter and obstructions, and providing proper footwear for employees.
Machinery is another significant source of safety hazards. Unguarded or moving machinery parts can cause injuries if workers accidentally touch them. To prevent these hazards, occupational health and safety professionals use guards, such as fixed barriers or covers, to place a physical barrier between workers and machinery. Other safety measures include turning off the machine's power source and using personal fall arrest systems or guardrails.
Electrical hazards are also considered safety hazards. These include electrical cords, missing ground pins, frayed cords, and improper wiring. Biological hazards, or biohazards, are another type of safety hazard. They refer to any biological substance that can cause harm to humans, including blood, fungi, bacteria, viruses, and other body fluids.
It is important for employers to identify and address workplace hazards to ensure the safety and well-being of their employees. By understanding the different types of safety hazards, employers can implement measures to safeguard workers and prevent injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.
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Physical hazards: environmental factors that can harm the body without touching it
Physical hazards are environmental factors that can harm the body without touching it. They are present in many work settings, including construction sites, manufacturing plants, and even office spaces. Here are some examples of physical hazards:
Loud Noises
Loud noises are physical hazards that can cause harm to the ears and potentially lead to hearing loss over time. Employees in industrial settings with high noise exposure are often required to wear ear protection to mitigate this risk. Research shows that continuous exposure to noise levels above 85 decibels can lead to permanent hearing impairment.
Bright Lighting
Bright lighting, especially fluorescent lights, can cause eye strain and discomfort, ultimately affecting vision over time. Poor lighting conditions can also contribute to headaches and eye discomfort.
Extreme Temperatures
Physical hazards can also include extreme temperatures, which can cause burns or heat-related illnesses. Additionally, working outdoors in the sun for prolonged periods can have long-term effects on health.
Radiation
Radiation, including ionizing and non-ionizing radiation (such as EMFs, microwaves, and radio waves), is a physical hazard that can have adverse effects on the body.
Identifying and addressing these physical hazards are crucial steps in creating a safe work environment. Employers should conduct regular hazard assessments and implement appropriate measures to protect workers' health and well-being.
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Ergonomic hazards: improper workstations, frequent lifting, poor posture, etc
Workplace hazards are any situations, activities, or sources that can potentially cause harm, damage, injury, illness, or death in the workplace. Ergonomic hazards are a type of workplace hazard that occurs when working conditions, body positions, and the type of work performed put a strain on the body. These are some of the most challenging hazards to identify because the strain on the body is not always immediately noticeable.
Improper workstations can contribute to ergonomic hazards. For example, workstations that are not adjusted to the correct height for a worker can cause issues. Workstations that require prolonged reaching, bending, or awkward postures can also cause ergonomic issues. To mitigate these issues, workstations should be adjustable to fit the specific worker's height. Additionally, providing tools such as carts, dollies, or jacks can help workers move heavy items without lifting them, reducing the risk of injury.
Frequent lifting is another ergonomic hazard. Lifting heavy objects or people, pushing or pulling heavy loads, and similar tasks can cause excessive force to be placed on the body, leading to injuries. To reduce the risk of injury, lifting aids such as carts, conveyors, or automated vehicles can be used to help manage and carry heavy loads. Pushing loads is also preferable to pulling, as it uses the stronger back and leg muscles.
Poor posture is a further ergonomic hazard. Awkward postures deviate from the body's natural position and can cause unnecessary overexertion, reducing work efficiency. Sustaining these postures for long periods can lead to muscle and nerve issues, including muscle pain, fatigue, joint problems, and increased risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Examples of poor postures include twisting, reaching, pulling, lifting, bending, hunching, and kneeling or squatting for extended periods. To prevent issues from static posture, workers should take frequent breaks, stretch, and switch tasks or positions.
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Chemical hazards: exposure to chemical preparations (solids, liquids, gases)
A hazard is any source of potential harm, damage, or adverse health effects on someone or something within the workplace. Hazards in the workplace can cause injury, illness, or even death. It is important for employers and employees to understand the issues surrounding risks and hazards at work. Employers need to identify and take steps to mitigate the risks that their workers may face.
Chemical hazards are present when workers face exposure to chemical preparations in the workplace in any form: solids, liquids, or gases. While some materials are safer than others, all pose a risk to workers, especially considering that different people have different sensitivities to chemicals. Even common chemicals can cause breathing issues, skin irritation, and illness. Liquids like solvents, acids, paints, and cleaning products can be hazardous, especially if they are in unlabeled containers. Vapors and fumes that come from exposure to solvents or welding are also dangerous. Flammable materials, including explosive chemicals, solvents, and gasoline, are another concern.
To ensure chemical safety in the workplace, information about the identities and hazards of the chemicals, as well as protective measures, must be available and understandable to workers. Employers with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces must provide labels and safety data sheets for their exposed workers and train them to handle the chemicals appropriately. This includes training on the hazards of the chemicals in their work area and the measures to protect themselves. Additionally, safe storage for hazardous substances is crucial. Compliant safety cabinets, for instance, ensure the safe storage of dangerous goods, providing features such as liquid-tight spill containment sumps and self-closing, tight-fitting doors.
Furthermore, incorrect handling and unsafe work practices can lead to chemical fires and explosions. Flammable and explosive chemicals are often stored in large cylinders or drums, so it is essential to train all personnel handling these chemicals, including warehouse staff and forklift drivers, to exercise caution when receiving and moving them. When hazardous chemicals are not stored or handled properly, they can pose a risk of fire or explosion, causing harm to people, property, and the environment.
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Biological hazards: exposure to infectious materials, e.g. blood, bacteria, viruses
Biological hazards, also known as biohazards, refer to infectious agents or hazardous biological materials that can cause harm or adverse health effects on workers. They are disease-producing agents (pathogens) that can be transmitted to individuals through various routes of exposure.
Healthcare workers are particularly vulnerable to biological hazards. For instance, they can be exposed to bloodborne pathogens (BBP) such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) through needlesticks and other sharps-related injuries. Hepatitis B is highly infectious, and many people with HBV infections are unaware that they have the virus. Therefore, it is crucial for healthcare workers to receive the Hepatitis B vaccine, which has significantly reduced the number of occupational infections.
In addition to bloodborne pathogens, healthcare workers are also at risk of exposure to airborne pathogens, such as tuberculosis (TB). TB transmission can occur in healthcare settings when healthcare workers come into contact with patients who have TB disease. The presence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) TB further complicates treatment and poses an additional hazard. To mitigate this risk, early patient screening and isolation procedures are essential to prevent employee exposures.
Biological hazards are not limited to the healthcare industry. Workers in laboratories, emergency response, nursing homes, and outdoor occupations also face potential exposure to infectious materials. For example, Ebola is a contact-transmissible disease that can be transmitted through blood or other potentially infectious materials. To protect workers, OSHA has implemented the Respiratory Protection Standard, which applies when workers may be exposed to bioaerosols containing the Ebola virus.
It is important for employers and employees to understand the risks and hazards associated with biological hazards to ensure workplace safety. This includes implementing safety measures, such as providing personal protective equipment (PPE), establishing standard operating procedures, and offering vaccinations when available. By prioritizing staff wellbeing and adhering to legislation and guidelines, businesses can reduce the likelihood of workplace incidents, accidents, and fatalities related to biological hazards.
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Frequently asked questions
A workplace hazard is any object, material, situation, or activity in a workplace that has the potential to cause harm to people or the environment.
Workplace hazards can be split into six categories: safety, biological, physical, ergonomic, chemical, and workload.
Safety hazards include slips, trips, and falls, operating dangerous machinery, electrical hazards, and unsafe working conditions.
Biological hazards, also known as biohazards, are substances from people, animals, or plants that threaten health. These include exposure to dangerous substances and diseases.
Ergonomic hazards occur when the working environment is a poor fit for the human body, causing strain and discomfort. This includes poorly designed workstations, repetitive motions, and manual handling.
