workplace hazard

1. The 6 Categories of Workplace Hazards

2. What are Workplace
Hazards?
When there is a possibility of
harm, disease, or death at
work, the environment is
considered hazardous. Tools,
poisonous materials, unsafe
working practices, and human
behavior are just a few of the
many work-related variables
that might be risky.

3. The 6 Categories of Workplace
Hazards
Biological Hazards
Chemical Hazards
Physical Hazards
Safety Hazards
Ergonomic Hazards
Psychosocial Hazards
Let’s discuss
each hazard
in more
detail…

4. Biological
Hazards
Bacteria | Viruses | Fungi | Mold
| Bloodborne Pathogens | Bird
Droppings | Infectious Animals |
Hazardous Waste
Biological hazards are
caused by living
organisms that produce
hazardous substances
that can enter the
human body either by
breathing, touching,
ingesting, or injection.

5. Occupational
Exposure
Hospital workers, medical workers, and laboratory personnel
are exposed to biological hazards, especially in the form of
bloodborne pathogens.
People working with animals such as those employed in
veterinary clinics.
Personnel employed in laboratories and research and
development units can be exposed to biological hazards.
People working in food processing and dealing with raw food
are also exposed to biological hazards.
Individuals working outdoors or in natural environments.

6. Enroll in Our OSHA Bloodborne
Pathogens Training
Enroll in Our RCRA Hazardous
Waste Generator Training

7. Chemical
Hazards
Chemical Toxic Substances
Chemical hazards are caused
by exposure to toxic chemical
substances in the form of
solids, liquids, gases, fumes,
vapors, mists, and dusts.
Workers can be exposed to
chemical hazards by direct
contact with skin also known
as absorption, through
inhalation, and either by
accidentally eating or drinking
a toxic substance or chemical.

8. Occupational
Exposure
Employees working in and around solvents, toxic chemicals, or
flammable gases.
Workers employed in cleaning facilities and job functions.
Lab workers who use dangerous chemicals as part of their work
processes.
Engineers and field workers who work in and around dangerous
chemicals or other hazardous substances.
Hazardous waste operation employees.
Employees in chemical manufacturing operations.
Workers in the oil and gas industry and coal mining operations.
Workers involved in hazardous chemical/substance spill cleanups.
Emergency and medical personnel.

9. Enroll In Our OSHA 24 Hour HAZWOPER
– RCRA TSD Operations Training
Enroll Our
OSHA Lead Awareness Training

10. Physical
Hazards
Noise | Heat Stress |
Cold Stress | Radiation
Hazards that cause a physical
injury to a worker due to the
workplace environment
having excessive levels of
ionizing and nonionizing
electromagnetic radiation,
noise, vibration, illumination,
and temperature are known
as physical hazards.

11. Occupational
Exposure
Workers carrying out job tasks in noisy
surroundings.
Medical personnel working in the Radiology
department in hospitals and clinics.
Individuals working outdoors in the hot sun
or during winter for long periods.
Personnel employed in smelting operations,
steel mills, mining operations, etc.
Workers working on open to air
construction sites.

12. Enroll in Our OSHA Hazard
Communication with GHS Training
Enroll in Our
OSHA Silica Awareness Training

13. Enroll in Our
OSHA 40 Hour HAZWOPER Training
Enroll in Our
OSHA 24 Hour HAZWOPER Training

14. Safety
Hazards
Falls | Trips | Slips | Falling Objects
| Shocks | Electrocution
Safety hazards occur due to
unexpected and avoidable
circumstances. The danger to
workers from safety hazards
can vary. They can either be
negligible such as a small cut,
a little more serious such as a
broken hand, or can be
serious with long-term
repercussions such as a spine
injury, and even cause death.

15. Occupational
Exposure
Construction industry workers.
Personnel working in the utility sector.
Workers working at heights such as
window cleaners on scaffolding.
Service and maintenance personnel.
Personnel working with heavy equipment
or machinery.

16. Enroll in Our OSHA Competent
Person for Fall Protection Training
Enroll in Our
OSHA Scaffolding Safety Training

17. Ergonomic
Hazards
Musculoskeletal Injuries
Ergonomics is the science of
researching and evaluating various
tasks in the workplace such as
• lifting
• holding
• sitting
• pushing
• walking
• reaching
that can cause discomfort or injury
to the human body.

18. Occupational
Exposure
All people in the labor force!
Although today, office
workers are prone to greater
exposure to ergonomics
hazards than any other
individuals.

19. Psychosocial
Hazards
Mental Health or Well-Being
Psychosocial hazards can
occur due to the workplace
environment or work
stress. Workplaces, where
there is discrimination,
harassment, victimization,
or a generally negative
perception by employees,
can lead to such hazards.

20. Occupational
Exposure All people in the labor
force!

21. For the Full Article
CLICK HERE:
https://hazwoper-
osha.com/blog-post/the-6-
categories-of-workplace-
hazards

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23. References:
•Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. (2021, May 06). The Economics Daily. Fatal and nonfatal falls, slips, and trips in the construction industry. Website.
https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2021/fatal-and-nonfatal-falls-slips-and-trips-in-the-construction-industry.htm
•U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (1998, Revised). OSHA Information Booklet #3143 -- Industrial Hygiene. Website.
https://www.osha.gov/publications/OSHA3143
•U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). (2022, Revised). OSHA Publication #3071 -- Job Hazard Analysis. Website.
https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/osha3071.pdf