The meaning of the word hazard can be confusing.
Often dictionaries do not give specific definitions or
combine it with the term "risk". For example, one
dictionary defines hazard as "a danger or risk" which
helps explain why many people use the terms
interchangeably.
There are many definitions for hazard but the most
common definition when talking about workplace
health and safety.
2. The meaning of the word hazard can be confusing.
Often dictionaries do not give specific definitions or
combine it with the term "risk". For example, one
dictionary defines hazard as "a danger or risk" which
helps explain why many people use the terms
interchangeably.
There are many definitions for hazard but the most
common definition when talking about workplace
health and safety is:
What is Hazard
7. Workplace hazards also include practices or
conditions that release uncontrolled energy like:
an object that could fall from a height (potential or
gravitational energy),
a run-away chemical reaction (chemical energy),
the release of compressed gas or steam (pressure;
high temperature),
entanglement of hair or clothing in rotating
equipment (kinetic energy), or
contact with electrodes of a battery or capacitor
(electrical energy).
8. Risk is the chance or probability that a
person will be harmed or experience an
adverse health e ect if exposed to a
hazard. It may also apply to situations
with property or equipment loss, or
harmful e ects on the environment.
WHAT IS RISK?
9. The CSA Z1002 Standard "Occupational health and
safety - Hazard identification and elimination and
risk assessment and control" uses the following
terms:
Risk – the combination of the likelihood of the
occurrence of a harm and the severity of that harm.
Likelihood – the chance of something happening.
WHAT IS RISK?
10. Factors that influence the degree or likelihood of risk are:
the nature of the exposure: how much a person is exposed to a
hazardous thing or condition (e.g., several times a day or once
a year),
how the person is exposed (e.g., breathing in a vapour, skin
contact), and
the severity of the e ect. For example, one substance may
cause skin cancer, while another may cause skin irritation.
Cancer is a much more serious e ect than irritation.
Factors influence the degree or
likelihood of risk :
11. Risk assessment is the process where you:
Identify hazards and risk factors that have the potential to
cause harm (hazard identification).
Analyze and evaluate the risk associated with that hazard
(risk analysis, and risk evaluation).
Determine appropriate ways to eliminate the hazard, or
control the risk when the hazard cannot be eliminated
(risk control).
WHAT IS RISK ASSESMENT?
12. A general definition of adverse health e ect is
"any change in body function or the
structures of cells that can lead to
disease or health problems".
WHAT IS AN ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECT
?
13. A common way to classify hazards is by category:
▪ Biological
▪ Chemical
▪ Ergonomic
▪ Physical
▪ Psychosocial
▪ Safety
TYPES OF HAZARDS
14. Biological hazards are extremely dangerous. These
include exposure to dangerous substances and
diseases associated with working amongst animals,
people, or infectious plant materials. Employees who
work in hospitals, laboratories or various other
outdoor occupations are at risk from biological
hazards.
BIOLOGICAL HAZARD
16. Chemical hazards mainly threaten employees whose
roles expose them to dangerous liquids, solvents or
flammable gases. Individuals who are most likely to
be a ected are those working in cleaning facilities,
engineers and employees in field based roles.
Exposure to harmful chemicals can cause illness,
skin irritation, breathing problems and, in extreme
cases, death.
CHEMICAL HAZARDS
17. ▪ Acids
▪ Caustic substances
▪ Cleaning products such as toilet cleaners, disinfectants,
mildew remover and chlorine bleach
▪ Glues
▪ Heavy metals, including mercury, lead, cadmium, and aluminum
▪ Paint
▪ Pesticides
▪ Petroleum products
▪ Solvents
▪ Photocopier toner
EXAMPLES
18. Ergonomic
Ergonomic hazards a ect individuals whose
work puts a strain on their body. Manual roles
that require lifting or sitting for long periods can
cause damage over time. These hazards may
not be noticeable at first which makes them
much harder to identify. If your sta use
improperly adjusted workstations or have poor
posture when performing manual roles and
heavy lifting, they may be at risk of injury.
19. Examples
• Improperly adjusted workstations and chairs.
• Frequent lifting.
• Poor posture.
• Awkward movements, especially if they are
repetitive.
• Using too much force, especially if it's done
frequently.
• Vibration.
20.
21. Physical
Physical hazards can a ect those who
work in extreme weather conditions or in
harmful environments. Workers that are
exposed to continuous loud noise,
radiation, sun rays and ultraviolet rays
could be at risk. Physical hazards most
commonly a ect individuals who work
outside in the sun for long periods of time.
22. ▪ Radiation,
▪ Magnetic fields,
▪ Pressure extremes (high pressure or
vacuum),
▪ Noise,
Examples
24. Safety hazards can a ect any employee but
these are more likely to a ect those who
work with machinery or on a construction
site. Safety hazards include slips, trips and
falls, operating dangerous machinery and
electrical hazards. Those that work in the
utility sector are more likely to be at risk of
safety hazards.
Safety Hazards