Types of Hazards

Some items are hazardous by nature, while others only become hazardous if used inappropriately or carelessly. Often, accidents don’t just happen – they are a result of workers neglecting or ignoring hazardous situations.

There are two basic categories of hazard:

• Acute Hazard - are those that have an obvious and immediate impact. For example, someone is walking with their coffee back to their office and someone bumps into them causing the coffee to spill on to the floor. The worker ignores wiping it up. There is an immediate danger of someone slipping and being injured. 

• Chronic Hazard - these are more hidden, are cumulative and can have a long-term impact. An example of a chronic hazard would be continual use of chemicals that over time cause infection. 

Manual Tasks - Overexertion, repetitive movement or awkward postures can cause muscular strain

Accidental Falls and Falling Objects - Falling objects, falls, slips and trips of people can cause fractures, bruises, lacerations, dislocations, concussion, permanent injuries or death. 

Machinery and Equipment - Being hit by moving vehicles, or being caught by moving parts of machinery can cause fractures bruises, lacerations, dislocations, permanent injuring or death.

Chemicals - Burns, headaches, nausea, vomiting, skin corrosion.

Electrical - Electric shocks, burns from potential explosion, serious injury or death