2 WORKPLACE HAZARDS

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2 WORKPLACE HAZARDS
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The position of hazard in OSH
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Definition of term hazard
A hazard is something that can cause harm if not
controlled.
When the hazard is present there exists the
possibility of an accident.
A hazard is usually describes a potentiality of
an accident, although not usually the accident
itself.
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Overview of workplace hazards

• Physical hazards (falls from height, dangerous
  machinery, )
• Physical agents (noise, vibration, ionizing
  radiation, )
• Chemical agents (solvents, heavy metals, )
• Biological agents (microorganisms and toxins)
• Psychosocial issues (work stress, violence,
  bullying)

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Terms related to hazard 1/5
Hazard danger
Danger relative exposure to a hazardHazard
may be present but there may be little danger
because of precautions taken
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Terms related to hazard 2/5
Example of hazard danger
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Terms related to hazard 3/5
Hazard outcome and damage
Damage severity of injury or the physical,
functional, or monetary loss that could result if
control of hazard is lost
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Terms related to hazard 4/5
Hazard safety
Safety freedom from hazards
It is practically impossible to completely
eliminate all hazards. Safety is therefore a
matter of relative protection from exposure to
hazards safety is the antonym of danger
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Terms related to hazard 5/5
Hazard risk
Realization of hazard
Risk the probability of an accidenttimes the
damage in dollars, lives, injuries, or operating
units
Quantifiable part of outcome/consequences
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Modes of a hazard 1/4
Dormant hazard
The situation which has the potential to be
hazardous, but no people, property or environment
is currently affected by this. An hillside way
be, with the potential for a landslide, but there
is nothing below or on the hillside which could
be affected.
A dormant volcano.
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Modes of a hazard 2/4
Potential or armed hazard
The situation where the hazard is in the position
to affect persons, property or environment. This
type of hazard is likely to require further risk
assessment. Pressure vessel subjected to
moisture and corrosion during its use.
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Modes of a hazard 3/4
Active hazard
The hazard is certain to cause harm, as no
intervention is possible before the accident
occurs. Rapidly developing fire which cuts off
the escape way for personnel. An erroneous
turning-on of the electrical power during the
maintenance of equipment.
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Modes of a hazard 4/4
Mitigated hazard
A potential hazard has been identified, but
actions have been taken in order to ensure it
does not become an accident. This may not be an
absolute guarantee of no risk, but it is likely
to have been undertaken to significantly reduce
the danger.
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Causes of hazards

• Natural hazards include anything which is caused
  by a natural process (volcanoes, earthquakes, or
  extreme winds).
• Man-made hazards are created by humans (include
  a huge array of possibilities from long term
  effects of global warming to immediate hazards
  such as building sites).
• Activity related hazards are created by the
  undertaking of a certain activity, and the
  cessation of the activity will negate the risk
  (flying or processing a hazardous material).

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Hazards risk matrix
Measuring hazard by likelihood and severity of
accident
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Severity of accident consequences 1/2
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Severity of accident consequences 2/2
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Likelihood of accident
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Common workplace hazards 1/3
1 Physical hazards

• Slips and trips
• Falls from height
• Workplace transport
• Dangerous machinery
• Pressure vessels
• Electricity

2 Physical agents

• Noise
• Vibration
• Ionizing radiation

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Common workplace hazards 2/3
3 Chemical agents

• Solvents
• Heavy metals

4 Biological agents
A biological agent is an infectious disease or
toxin that can be used in bioterrorism or
biological warfare. There are more than 1200
different kinds of biological agents. Biological
agents include

• Prions
• Microorganisms (viruses, bacteria and fungi)
• Some unicellular and multicellular eukaryotes
  (for example parasites) and their associated
  toxins

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Common workplace hazards 3/3
5 Psychosocial issues

• Work related stress, whose causal factors include
  excessive working time and overwork
• Violence from outside the organisation
• Bullying (sometimes called mobbing) which may
  include emotional, verbal, and sexual harassment

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The end of part two
Examination questions

• What is a workplace hazard? Describe relation
  of this term with the terms danger, damage,
  safety, risk.
• What are the modes of hazard? List the modes and
  given at least one example of the hazard
  belonging to each mode.
• How are the hazards classified according to their
  cause and by means of the risk matrix?
• What are the groups of the main workplace
  hazards?