Types of hazards

Types of hazards
• A physical hazard is an agent, factor or
circumstance that can cause harm with or
without contact. They can be classified as type of
occupational hazard or
environmental hazard. Physical hazardsinclude
ergonomic hazards, radiation, heat and cold
stress, vibrationhazards, and noise hazards.

• Example: Slippery floors, objects in walkways,

unsafe or misused machinery, excessive noise,
poor lighting, fire.
 Types of hazards
• A chemical hazard is a type of
occupational hazard caused by exposure
to chemicals in the workplace. Exposure
to chemicals in the workplace can cause acute
or long-term detrimental health effects.

• Example: Gases, dusts, fumes, vapours and

liquids.
 Types of hazards
• An ergonomic hazard is a physical factor within
the environment that harms the musculoskeletal
system.Ergonomic hazards include themes such
as repetitive movement, manual handling,
workplace/job/task design, uncomfortable
workstation height and poor body positioning.
• Example: poor design of equipment, workstation
design, (postural) or workflow, manual handling,
repetitive movement
 Types of hazards
• Radiation –As the use of
ionizing radiation increases, so does the
potential for health hazards if not properly
used or contained. Acute health effects such
as skin burns or acute radiation syndrome can
occur when doses ofradiation exceed certain
levels.
• Example: Microwaves, infra-red, ultraviolet,
lasers, X-rays and gamma rays.
 Types of hazards
• A psychological hazard is any hazard that affects
the mental well-being or mental health of the
worker by overwhelming individual coping
mechanisms and impacting the worker's ability to
work in a healthy and safe manner. Sources
of psychological hazards. Work Organizational
Factors.
• Example : Shiftwork, workload, dealing with the
public, harassment, discrimination, threat of
danger, constant low-level noise, stress.
 Types of hazards
• Biological hazards, also known as biohazards,
refer tobiological substances that pose a threat
to the health of living organisms, primarily that of
humans. This can include samples of a
microorganism, virus or toxin (from
a biological source) that can affect human health.

• Example: Infection by bacteria, virus, fungi or

parasites through a cut, insect bite, or contact
with infected persons or contaminated object.