SAFETY HAZARDS: These are the most • Plants • Having to use too much force,
common and will be present in most • Insect bites especially if you have to do it
workplaces at one time or another. They • Animal and bird droppings frequently
include unsafe conditions that can cause PHYSICAL HAZARDS: Are factors within • Vibration
injury, illness and death. the environment that can harm the body
without necessarily touching it.
Safety Hazards include:
• Spills on floors or tripping hazards, Physical Hazards include: CHEMICAL HAZARDS: Are present
such as blocked aisles or cords running • Radiation: including ionizing, when a worker is exposed to any chemical
across the floor nonionizing (EMF’s, microwaves, preparation in the workplace in any form
• Working from heights, including radiowaves, etc.) (solid, liquid or gas). Some are safer than
ladders, scaffolds, roofs, or any raised • High exposure to sunlight/ultraviolet others, but to some workers who are more
work area rays sensitive to chemicals, even common
• Unguarded machinery and moving • Temperature extremes – hot and cold solutions can cause illness, skin irritation, or
machinery parts; guards removed or • Constant loud noise breathing problems.
moving parts that a worker can
accidentally touch Beware of:
• Electrical hazards like frayed cords, ERGONOMIC HAZARDS: Occur when • Liquids like cleaning products, paints,
missing ground pins, improper wiring the type of work, body positions and working acids, solvents – ESPECIALLY if
• Confined spaces conditions put strain on your body. They are chemicals are in an unlabeled
• Machinery-related hazards the hardest to spot since you don’t always container!
(lockout/tagout, boiler safety, immediately notice the strain on your body • Vapors and fumes that come from
forklifts, etc.) or the harm that these hazards pose. welding or exposure to solvents
Shortterm exposure may result in “sore • Gases like acetylene, propane, carbon
BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS: Associated muscles” the next day or in the days monoxide and helium
with working with animals, people, or following exposure, but long-term exposure • Flammable materials like gasoline,
infectious plant materials. Work in schools, can result in serious long-term illnesses. solvents, and explosive chemicals.
day care facilities, colleges and universities,
• Pesticides
hospitals, laboratories, emergency response, Ergonomic Hazards include:
nursing homes, outdoor occupations, etc. • Improperly adjusted workstations and
may expose you to biological hazards. chairs
WORK ORGANIZATION HAZARDS:
• Frequent lifting Hazards or stressors that cause stress
Types of things you may be exposed to • Poor posture (shortterm effects) and strain (long-term
include: • Awkward movements, especially if effects). These are the hazards associated
• Blood and other body fluids they are repetitive with workplace issues such as workload, lack
• Fungi/mold • Repeating the same movements over of control and/or respect, etc.
• Bacteria and viruses and over
Examples of work organization hazards • Intensity and/or pace • Social support/relations
include: • Respect (or lack of) • Sexual harassment
• Workload demands Workplace • Flexibility
violence • Control or say about things
CHEMICAL &
DUST HAZARDS
(cleaning products, pesticides,
BIOLOGICAL asbestos, etc.)
ERGONOMIC
HAZARDS
HAZARDS
(mold, insects/pests,
communicable diseases, etc.) (repetition, lifting, awkward
WORK postures, etc.)
ORGANIZATION
HAZARDS
Things that cause STRESS! ) PHYSICAL
SAFETY
HAZARDS
HAZARDS
(noise, temperature extremes,
radiation, etc.)
(slips, trips and falls, faulty
equipment, etc.)
