Workplace Safety

Unit 2

Hazard

• Any substance, or physical property of equipment, process, or task design that poses a potential threat to the health and/or safety of the individual, or causes significant discomfort and inefficiency among workers.

Hazard Categories

1. Chemical 2. Physical 3. Biological4. Ergonomic

Chemical Hazards

• Dust/Fibers – Solid particles of materials such as silica, coal,

cotton, asbestos. • Furstes – Particles formed when material from a volatilized

solid condenses in cool air, such as nickel, beryllium, zinc, iron.

Chemical Hazards

• Smokes– Solid/liquid particles resulting from incomplete

combustion of materials such as wood, coal, plants, petroleum products.

• Mists/Aerosols– Liquid particles suspended in air, such as chromic

acid, hydrochloric acid, sulphuric acid.

Chemical Hazards

• Gases – Formless fluids that expand to occupy the space or

enclosure to which they are confined such as: hydrogen-sulphide, chlorine, carbon monoxide.

• Vapors– The gaseous form of normally solid or liquid

substances subject to evaporation, such as: gasoline, alcohol, paint, thinners, solvents.

Physical Hazards

• Noise– Unwanted or excessive sound

• Temperature– High or low extremes

• Illumination – Lighting level, intensity and glare

• Vibration– To and fro motion or oscillation; transmitted to the

body as “whole body” vibration or “segmental” vibration.

Physical Hazards

• Pressure– Inadequate or excessive atmospheric force for the body.

• Radiation– The process in which energy in the form of rays is sent

through space from atoms and molecules as they undergo internal change.

• Ionizing radiation– Evolves from the nucleus of an atom: non-ionizing from

varying electric and magnetic fields, such as: ultraviolet, laser, infrared, microwave, radio frequency

Biological Hazards

• Bacteria • Viruses• Fungi-Molds• Mites• Insects• Parasites• Plants• Animals

Ergonomic Hazards• Repetitive motion• Heavy lifting • Awkward or static posture• Fatigue• Overexertion• Monotony• Perceptual confusion or overload• Varying metabolic cycles• Direct pressure• Excessive force